Gas Hydrate Research System
Rocking Cell Sapphire

  • The RCS Gas Hydrate Study System is an automatic system designed for the study of gas hydrates, selection and analysis of low dose hydrate inhibitors (LDHI), corrosion inhibitors (CI), anti-agglomerators (AA), kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHI) in multiphase flow using test sapphire glass cameras.

    Application

    • Modeling the behavior of gas hydrates in a multiphase flow;
    • Development and testing of various types of hydrate formation inhibitors:
      • low dose hydrate inhibitors (LDHI)
      • corrosion inhibitors (CI)
      • anti-agglomerators (AA)
      • kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHI)
    • Optimization of inhibitor concentrations;
    • Modeling of land, underground and deep-sea conditions;
    • Visualization of the hydrate formation process;
    • Simulation of a real pipeline under turbulent flow conditions;
    How the system works

    The operating principle of the systems is based on the constant angular movement of temperature-controlled test cells under pressure. These cells are called swing cells. The conditions of a real pipeline are simulated in swing cells. During the swinging process, the ball inside the cell continuously rotates and moves along the entire length of the test cell, mixing the fluid and gas. The movement of the ball creates significant shear stresses and turbulence in the test chamber, allowing the conditions of a real pipeline to be simulated.

    The system includes 3 main types of experiment:

    • Simulation of flow conditions of a real pipeline.
    • Modeling of conditions for complete blocking of a pipeline by gas hydrates.
    • Restart test.

    All test chambers are filled with a test fluid (water, oil, etc.) with the addition of a certain amount of inhibitor. The test chambers are cooled to a predetermined temperature. Gas is then introduced to pressurize each test chamber to 200 bar (2900 psi). The pressure in each test cell is set and maintained individually, independently of each other.

    Possible options

    Sapphire Rocking Cell System RCS-2

    Compact system with 2 test cells

    Sapphire Rocking Cell System RCS-6

    Benchtop test system with 6 test cells

    Sapphire Rocking Cell System RCS-20

    Test system with 20 test cells.

    RCS-20-1

    RCS-20-2

    Progress of the experiment
    • The test cell is filled with a test fluid (oil, water or condensate) with the addition of a specified amount of inhibitor. The cells are automatically cooled to the set experiment temperature. Each individual cell can be at different pressures up to 200 bar. Up to 20 test cells are mounted on moving axes inside the cryostat. All experimental parameters, such as swing angle, swing speed, time and duration of the experiment are recorded thanks to high-tech software. The system allows you to conduct many hours of experiments without user intervention.
    • The travel time of the ball is recorded thanks to induction sensors, which ensure high measurement accuracy even in the case of dark and completely opaque fluids. The test bench is equipped with a video camera controlled by software, which allows for photo and video recording throughout the experiment.
    • After the experiment is completed, the system is automatically cleaned. The cells automatically slide out of the cryostat, after which they can be easily removed from the system. System management and loading/unloading of cells do not require physical effort from the user.
    Competitive advantages of the system
    • The main feature of the SapphireRockingCell family of systems is the absolute transparency of the test cells, which provides the possibility of detailed observation and video recording of gas hydrate formation processes.
    • Thanks to the unique design of the test cell, the system allows the simulation of hydrate formation in multiphase flow under different flow conditions (turbulent or laminar).
    • A large number of simultaneously examined test cells reduces the amount of development time spent, which increases productivity several times.
    Experiment example
    INNOVATIVE METHOD FOR STUDYING GAS HYDRATES

    In the oil and gas industry in the northern regions, associated with the operation of equipment at extremely low temperatures and high pressure, as well as in deep water conditions, there is an urgent need to combat gas hydrate formations in the pipeline. One of the most reliable methods of control is the development and effective use of various types of hydrate inhibitors: low-dose hydrate inhibitors (LDHI), anti-agglomerators (AA) and kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHI).

    The standard method for analyzing gas hydrate inhibitors is to monitor and determine the thermobaric operating conditions of the inhibitor.

    The main requirement for laboratory methods for studying anti-agglomerators is the need to study the quality of a given chemical during transportation of a test fluid containing gas hydrates and ensure reliable operation of the anti-agglomerator under flow conditions. No less important is the possibility of detailed, including visual, study of the forming gas hydrate. The use of standard equipment and standard experimental techniques does not allow fulfilling the above requirements.

    To create and introduce into production a hydrate formation inhibitor, it is necessary to have accurate and reliable data on the effectiveness and reliability of its operation. The main task is to conduct a detailed analysis of effectiveness in the shortest possible time.

    To solve the above problems, a special testing system, SapphireRockingCell (SRC), has been developed, using the latest technique for studying gas hydrates - the rocking cell method. The SRC system provides the opportunity to monitor and study the effect of various inhibitors on the formation of gas hydrates.

    The advantages of this method over classical methods lie in more detailed and complete information at the end of the experiment. The swing cell method can accurately simulate extreme pipeline operating conditions, which include operating under conditions of high temperature, pressure and flow turbulence. Using this method, the pumpability and fluidity values of the forming gas hydrates can be determined, which will allow drawing conclusions about changes in the viscosity of the test sample.

  • Parameter Meaning
    Operating pressure: up to 200 bar
    Temperature Range -10 to 60 °C (extension optional)
    Test cell volume 20 cm 3
    Swing angle from 1 to 45°
    Swing speed from 1 to 20 rpm
    Voltage 110/240 V, frequency 50/60 Hz
    • Gas Hydrate Research System <br>Rocking Cell Sapphire
  • Gas Hydrate Research System <br>Rocking Cell Sapphire