High-pressure cell for the study of in-situ hydrates using energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction

Abstract

A high-pressure low-temperature cell has been developed for in-situ diffraction studies of carbon dioxide and propane gas hydrate crystallization. The design and implementation of the cell, which can operate up to 3.5 MPa and down to 253 K, are described. Using synchrotron energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction, the first growth of the hydrate crystals from solution has been successfully observed. The lattice parameters of the hydrate crystals were found to be 11.927 (2) and 17.196 (2) Å, respectively.