Preliminary study of natural polymer as kinetic hydrate inhibitor

Hydrocarbons transportation on the sea bed using pipelines are prone to clogging due to gas hydrates formation. The formation happens in the high pressure and low temperature condition. Currently, operators are using thermodynamic hydrate inhibitors which are costly due to the large volumes consumed and not environmental friendly. Researchers are now extensively studying on the Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitors (KHI) from different sources that is more cost effective due to small volume consumed and more environmental friendly. In this paper, it focuses on natural polymers derived from fruit peels, table sugar and stevia as possible KHI. The objectives are to find the optimum concentration of natural polymers in delaying the nucleation of natural gas hydrates by measuring the induction time using high pressure micro-differential scanning calorimeter. The results show sugar has a great potential as KHI as the induction time for methane hydrates is delayed to 82 and 77 minutes at 50 and 70 bars respectively. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.