A Parametric Study of the Effectiveness of Pectin as a Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitor in Rocking Cells

In this study, we investigated the effects of several parameters on pectin performance in rocking cells. The parameters examined were pectin concentration, the volume of the aqueous solution, and the type of testing equipment. Additionally, we studied the combination of pectin with PVP and compared our results with PVP alone and with findings from other researchers. The findings showed that pectin’s effectiveness as a hydrate inhibitor appears to be concentration-dependent, with no relationship between concentration and pectin’s inhibitory capacity. Furthermore, at all tested concentrations, pectin successfully extended the induction time but did not lower the rate of gas consumption. Pectin’s performance in methane hydrate formation is significantly influenced by the gas-liquid ratio. The induction time rises with the amount of aqueous solution. When PVP and pectin were combined, the results showed an antagonistic effect at a medium gas-liquid ratio and a synergistic effect at both high and low ratios. The blend of pectin with commercial KHIs (PVP and PVCap) significantly extended the induction time and enhanced the gas consumption rate. Results from the comparative study indicated that pectin effectively inhibited hydrate nucleation; however, its performance was inferior to that of PVP. Moreover, the significant discrepancy between our findings and the literature underscores that parameters such as agitation method, cell volume, and pectin source play a pivotal role, in addition to the fundamental equipment type.