The Influence of Tetrapropylammonium Bromide + Glycerol and Tetramethylammonium Chloride + Ethylene Glycol Deep Eutectic Solvents on Carbon Dioxide Gas Hydrate Inhibition

Abstract

The formation of gas hydrates inside pipelines in the oil and gas industry can result in multiphase systems that contain gas hydrates. In the presence of water and gas, these will crystallize as solids under thermodynamically favorable temperature and pressure conditions. Gas hydrates obstruct pipelines, which, in turn, affect financial resources, impede process efficiency, and pose safety risks. The utilization of inhibitors, which are specific compounds, can effectively impede the production of gas hydrates. However, the vast majority of inhibitors are expensive, potentially hazardous, and environmentally harmful. Thus, it is imperative to investigate environmentally favorable methods of mitigating gas hydrates. This study was intended to evaluate the efficacy of green additives/solvents, particularly deep eutectic solvents (DES), in inhibiting the formation of carbon dioxide gas hydrates. The impact of deep eutectic solvents, tetrapropylammonium bromide combined with glycerol (DES-1) and tetramethylammonium chloride combined with ethylene glycol (DES-2), on carbon dioxide hydrates is examined. These solvents merit investigation due to their synthesis, purification, and environmental sustainability, which provide economic benefits. The findings of this study demonstrated that the investigated DES solutions have inhibitory effects on gas hydrates.