Main applications
- Measuring the hydrate stability zone of various fluid systems (e.g., gas, gas condensate and oil systems).
- Determining the effect of various hydrate inhibitors (e.g., salts and/or organic inhibitors) on the hydrate stability zone.
- Determining the hydrate characteristics of water or oil based drilling fluids.
- Investigating the kinetics of gas hydrate formation and dissociation.
- Measuring the amount and composition of equilibrated phases (including gas hydrates).
Operating conditions
Pressure: up to 10,000 psia (70 MPa)
Temperature: from –50 to 75 ºC
Description
Rig-1 consists of a high-pressure cell with a variable volume (650 cc max) which is adjusted by adding or withdrawing mercury using a pump. The temperature of the cell is controlled to within 0.05 K by circulating coolant from cryostat. The pressure in the cell is monitored by two pressure transducers with an estimated accuracy of ±0.007 MPa. A computer is used to collect data and control the system. At lower pressures, an optically clear quartz tube can be insterted into the centre, into which a borescope may be placed, allowing visual observation and video capture. The cell is mounted on a motorised pivot mechanism, allowing rocking to aid mixing of contents.