Comparative Analysis of Gas Hydrate Inhibitors: Local and Conventional

Abstract

This paper takes a look at the performance of a Locally Sourced Material (LSM) in a laboratory mini flow loop of ½ -inch internal diameter, made from 316 stainless steel pipe sheathed in a 4-inch PVC pipe built on an external metal frame work. The performance of the LSM was measured with that of the conventional hydrate inhibitor 2-(Dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate (2-DMAEM). The performance evaluation was based on Pressure versus time, change in pressure versus time and initial and final pressure versus time plots. These plots showed that LSM performed better than the conventional 2-DMAEM in all the weight percentages considered (0.01wt% −0.03wt %). The optimum weight percentage for inhibition was 0.02wt% with inhibition efficiency of 81.58% while that of 2-DMAEM was 73.68%. The inhibition efficiency for 0.01wt% and 0.03wt% of LSM wereboth 72.81% whereas that of 2-DMAEM were 51.75% and 76.32% respectively. The LSM is locally sourced, readily available in commercial quantity and also eco-friendly because it is plant based unlike the 2-DMAEM which is toxic and expensive. It is advised that the LSM be developed as an alternative to the conventional inhibitor for gas hydrate inhibition.