Dual Effect of Low‐Dosage Poly(Ethylene Oxides) on Methane Hydrate Formation

Time‐dependent isochoric formation of methane hydrate was investigated in the presence of low‐dose poly(ethylene oxides) (PEOs). The effect of different molecular weights of PEO on methane hydrate nucleation time and storage capacity was studied and compared. Kinetic measurements revealed a dual effect of PEO, including inhibition and stabilization effects, on methane hydrate formation. The nature and type of the effect arises from the difference in molecular weights and concentration ranges of PEOs. These parameters directly affect the nucleation time and storage capacity of methane hydrate. Generally, in comparison with pure water, PEO improved the storage capacity of methane hydrate. PEO (1000 kD) at a concentration of 0.5 wt % exhibits a significant kinetic inhibitory performance. However, it was an efficient low‐dosage hydrate stabilizer at a concentration of 0.25 wt %, along with producing gas‐rich methane hydrate suitable for gas fuel storage and transportation.     

Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Double Gas Hydrate Formation in the Presence or Absence of Kinetic Inhibitors in a Flow Mini‐Loop Apparatus

Double gas hydrate formation in the presence or absence of kinetic inhibitors in a flow mini‐loop apparatus was investigated. For the prediction of the gas consumption rate during hydrate formation in this system, the rate equation based on the Kashchiev and Firoozabadi model for simple gas hydrate formation in a batch system was developed for double gas hydrate formation in a flow mini‐loop apparatus. To complete the theoretical evaluation of gas hydrate formation through the mini‐loop apparatus in the presence or absence of kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHI), a laboratory flow mini‐loop apparatus was set up to measure the induction time for hydrate formation and the uptake rate when a gaseous mixture (such as 75 % C1/25 % C3, 25 % C1/75 % C3, 75 % C1/25 % i‐C4, and 25 % C1/75 % i‐C4) is contacted with water containing or not containing dissolved inhibitor under suitable temperature and pressure conditions. In each experiment, a water blend saturated with gas mixture was circulated up to the required pressure. The pressure was maintained at a constant value during the experimental runs by means of a required gas mixture make‐up. The effect of pressure on gas consumption during hydrate formation was investigated in the presence or absence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and L ‐tyrosine as kinetic inhibitors at various concentrations. A good agreement was found between the predicted and experimental data in the presence or absence of KHI. The total average absolute deviation percents between the experimental and predicted values of gas consumption were found to be 16.4 and 17.5 % for the double gas hydrate formation in the presence or absence of the kinetic inhibitors, respectively.     

Gas Hydrate Formation by Methane‐Helium Mixtures

Equilibrium conditions for gas hydrates formed by methane‐helium mixtures with helium concentrations of 31.9, 63.9, and 74.6 mol.‐% have been studied at pressures up to 160 bar. The data obtained indicate that in the studied range of helium concentrations and pressures helium hardly contributes to the stability of the gas hydrate formed. The shift of equilibrium conditions to lower temperatures and higher pressures is caused by dilution of methane in the gas phase and, consequently, the decrease in the chemical potential of methane in the gas phase.     

Kinetic Model of Two‐Phase Epoxidation with Ionic Liquids as Micellar Catalysts

The biphasic catalytic epoxidation of cyclooctene using the ionic liquid (IL) 1,2‐dimethyl‐3‐octyl‐imidazolium perrhenate ([OMMIM]ReO₄) as micellar catalyst and H₂O₂ as oxidant was investigated. Kinetic experiments were carried out in the intrinsic kinetic regime as proved by variation of stirring rate and temperature. Variation of catalyst concentration allowed for determination of the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the catalytic IL. The effect of substrate concentrations on the reaction rate was also assessed. Based on the experiments, a kinetic model adapted from enzyme catalysis was proposed to account for the micellar reaction environment. The model takes into account the onset of micelle formation at the CMC. The application of the kinetic model illustrated the good agreement with the experimental data. The model will be applied to other micellar epoxidation reactions and for the design of an appropriate reaction setup in the future.     

Recent Developments and Applications of Ionic Liquids in Gas Separation Membranes

Flue gas emissions and the harmful effects of these gases urge to separate and capture these unwanted gases. Ionic liquids due to negligible vapor pressure, thermal stability, and wide electrochemical stability have expanded its application in gas separations. A comprehensive overview of the recent developments and applications of ionic liquid membranes (ILMs) for gas separation is given. The three general classifications of ILMs, such as supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs), ionic liquid polymeric membranes (ILPMs), and ionic liquid mixed‐matrix membranes (ILMMMs) along with their applications, for the separation of various mixed gases systems is discussed in detail. Furthermore, issues, challenges, computational study, and future perspectives for ILMs are also considered.     

Development of a Surface‐Active Coating for Promoted Gas Hydrate Formation

This work deals with the influences of surface‐active coatings made by silanization with an increasing hydrophobicity on methane hydrate formation in view of induction times, gas uptake, and rate of gas consumption. Hydrate formation was performed in a stirred pressure autoclave under stationary and transient conditions in presence of different coatings made from diverse silanes. With increasing carbon chain length of the silanes, promoting effects were observed while using stationary formation conditions.     

Modeling of CO2‐Hydrate Formation at the Gas‐Water Interface in Sand Sediment

Sub‐seabed geological storage of CO₂ in the form of gas hydrate is attractive because clathrate hydrate stably exists at low temperature and high pressure, even if a fault occurs by diastrophism like a big earthquake. For the effective design of the storage system it is necessary to model the formation of CO₂‐hydrate. Here, it is assumed that the formation of gas hydrate on the interface between gas and water consists of two stages: gas diffusion through the CO₂‐hydrate film and consequent CO₂‐hydrate formation on the interface, between film and water. Also proposed is the presence of a fresh reaction interface, which is part of the interface between the gas and aqueous phases and not covered with CO₂‐hydrate. Parameters necessary to model the hydrate formation in sand sediment are derived by comparing the results of the present numerical simulations and the measurements in the literature.     

Methane Hydrate Formation and Dissociation in the presence of Bentonite Clay Suspension

The present work reports the effect of bentonite clay on methane hydrate formation and dissociation in synthetic seawater of salinity 3.55 % of total dissolved salts. Extensive observations of pressure‐temperature equilibrium during formation and decomposition of methane hydrate under different conditions have been made. It is observed that phase equilibrium conditions of hydrate are affected on changing the concentration of bentonite clay in synthetic seawater. Induction time for hydrate nucleation has been measured under different concentrations of clay and subcooling conditions. The presence of bentonite clay in synthetic seawater reduces the induction time of hydrate formation. Enthalpy of hydrate dissociation is calculated by Clausius‐Clapeyron equation using measured phase equilibrium data. The amount of gas consumed during hydrate formation has been calculated using real gas equation. It is found that a larger amount of gas is consumed upon addition of bentonite clay in synthetic seawater.     

Ionic Liquids as Size‐ and Shape‐Regulating Solvents for the Synthesis of Cobalt Nanoparticles

Over the last few years, ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as an important class of reaction media for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The formation and stabilization of nanoparticles was investigated in different ILs to elucidate the effect of the chemical nature of the IL anion, cation and alkyl side chain of the imidazolium. In this context, Co₂(CO)₈ was employed as a precursor and thermally decomposed to the metallic cobalt nanoparticles in a series of selected ILs, where either the IL cation or anion was varied while keeping all of the other parameters constant. The results show that both the molecular volume of the anion and cation and the steric configuration are important aspects to control the formation and stability of nanoparticles in ILs.     

A New Application of Acetate‐Based Ionic Liquids: Potential Usage as Drying Materials

Acetate‐based ionic liquids (AcILs) are green and designable solvents applied in many fields. However, AcILs are found to be highly hygroscopic. On the one hand, the high hygroscopicity of AcILs influences their properties and structures. On the other hand, this hygroscopic property renders AcILs, and especially [EMIM][Ac], potentially useful as drying materials, a new application of AcILs proposed in this paper. These two traits could be interconnected, interdependent, and interconvertible, which implies that a shortcoming of AcILs, i.e., their hygroscopicity, leading to changes in their physical properties, could be turned into a useful feature, e.g., the potential usage as drying material, if it is dealt with properly.     

甲烷水合物在纯水和抑制剂体系中的生成动力学

Kinetic data of methane hydrate formation in the presence of pure water,brines with single salt and mixed salts,and aqueous solutions of ethylene glycol(EG) and salt EG were measured.A new kinetic model of hydrate formation for the methane water systems was developed based on a four-step formation mechanism and reaction kinetic approach.The proposed kinetic model predicts the kinetic behavior of methane hydrate formation in pure water with good accuracy.The feasibility of extending the kenetic model of salt(s) and EG containing systems was explored.     

降温模式对甲烷水合物形成的影响

在定容条件下,以两种不同的降温模式(缓慢降温和快速降温)进行甲烷水合物在沉积物中的形成实验. 结果表明,甲烷水合物在沉积物中的形成过程包括气液溶解、核化、生长、稳定4个阶段. 在相同的初始条件下,降温模式对水合物生成的热力平衡影响较小,但对水合物生成动力学有显著改变. 快速降温下水合物生长速度明显快于缓慢降温,随着水合物初始条件不同,缓慢降温比快速降温水合物形成时间约增加21.4%~28.8%.     

Synthesis of Polyoxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers Catalyzed by Pyrrolidinonium‐Based Ionic Liquids

Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (PODE_n) are widely applied as diesel additives in engines. Ionic liquids (ILs) replace traditional liquid acids as catalysts in chemical processes. A series of pyrrolidinonium‐based Brønsted acidity ILs were synthesized, investigated, and employed as catalysts for the synthesis of PODE_n from methylal and trioxane for the first time. The Hammett function values were measured to uncover the connection between catalytic performance and acidity‐activity of the ILs considered. The optimal experimental conditions for the synthesis of PODE_n were determined. The maximum values of both the conversion of raw material and the selectivity of PODE_3–8 were obtained with 1‐octyl‐2‐pyrrolidinonium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([NOP][TFO]) as the catalyst. [NOP][TFO] provides greater selectivity of PODE_3–4 than the traditional catalysts such as H₂SO₄ and CF₃SO₃H.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Surface Properties and Micellization Behaviour of Imidazolium‐based Ionic Liquids

Ionic liquids (IL) have emerged as a prospective new material for a wide range of industrial applications, owing to their unique structures and properties. Hence, understanding the structure–property relationships of IL is very important for both fundamental and industrial applications. In this study, a series of imidazolium‐based IL with different chain lengths, namely C₈mimBF₄, C₁₀mimBF₄ and C₁₂mimBF₄, were synthesized. Their molecular structures were confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the IL synthesized were thermally stable in the desired temperature range. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) results of IL was analyzed in order to understand the effect of alkyl length on micellar size. Conductivity and surface tension measurements were carried out to determine the adsorption and aggregation characteristics in aqueous solutions. The influences of temperature as well as alkyl chain length on viscosity were also investigated. Surface adsorption parameters such as surface excess, minimum area, effectiveness and efficiency were also determined from equilibrium surface tension data. A careful analysis of the thermodynamic aspects of air‐ionic liquid aqueous systems reveals that free energies of adsorption are favoured over micellization for all systems.     

Long‐Term Stability,Regeneration and Recycling of Imidazolium‐based Ionic Liquids

Ionic liquids (ILs) are discussed in many current research papers extensively in terms of their potential use in the chemical industry, as process aids and novel materials. The long‐term stability of the IL is for industrial applications as important as to know which species arise during the degradation due to thermal, mechanical, chemical or electrochemical stress. The investigation of the long‐term stability of two selected ILs over several months under process‐like conditions is presented with a subsequent analysis by LC‐MS to identify the resulting decomposition products. Knowledge about the occurring species and their analytical quantification are basis for the selection of appropriate processes for the separation of the decomposition products and the development of recycling processes for ILs. Particularly melt crystallization processes are suitable for separating structurally similar decomposition products that typically occur in the IL degradation.     

Ionic Liquid‐Promoted Oxidant‐Free Dehydrogenation of Alcohols with Water‐Soluble Ruthenium Nanoparticles in Aqueous Phase

An oxidant‐free dehydrogenation of alcohols in the aqueous phase was developed for the first time using water‐soluble poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) (PVP)‐stabilized ruthenium nanoparticles with an ionic liquid as a promoter. The present catalytic system was highly efficient and stable for the catalytic dehydrogenation of various alcohols. It was found that the basic ionic liquid 1‐n‐butyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium acetate ([BMMIM] OAc) additive played a crucial role in enhancing the catalytic activity and stability of ruthenium(0) nanoparticles. A reaction kinetics study and ¹H NMR analysis demonstrated that the basic ionic liquid and ruthenium nanoparticles exerted a synergetic effect for the dehydrogenation reaction.     

Numerical Simulation of Single‐Bubble Dynamics in High‐Viscosity Ionic Liquids Using the Level‐Set Method

Two numerical models for studying the dynamics of formation and rise of single bubbles in high‐viscosity ionic liquids were implemented using the level‐set method. The models describe two stages of bubble dynamics: bubble formation at the inlet nozzle and bubble displacement across the column. The models were experimentally validated through a laboratory‐scale bubble column using water‐glycerol mixtures and two imidazolium‐type ionic liquids. The models were consistent with the experimental tests for Reynolds numbers < 5. Outside this range, the models tend to underestimate the bubble terminal velocity, which can be explained by the effect of the high velocity and pressure gradients close to the gas‐liquid interface. The models also predicted the velocity and pressure fields near the bubble surface before and after detachment.     

Ionic Liquids Increase the Catalytic Efficiency of a Lipase (Lip1) From an Antarctic Thermophilic Bacterium

Lipases catalyze the hydrolysis and synthesis of triglycerides and their reactions are widely used in industry. The use of ionic liquids has been explored in order to improve their catalytic properties. However, the effect of these compounds on kinetic parameters of lipases has been poorly understood. A study of the kinetic parameters of Lip1, the most thermostable lipase from the supernatant of the strain ID17, a thermophilic bacterium isolated from Deception Island, Antarctica, and a member of the genus Geobacillus is presented. Kinetic parameters of Lip1 were modulated by the use of ionic liquids BmimPF6 and BmimBF4. The maximum reaction rate of Lip1 was improved in the presence of both salts. The highest effect was observed when BmimPF6 was added in the reaction mix, resulting in a higher hydrolytic activity and in a modulation of the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme. However, the catalytic efficiency did not change in the presence of BmimBF4. The increase of the reaction rates of Lip1 promoted by these ionic liquids could be related to possible changes in the Lip1 structure. This effect was measured by quenching of tryptophan fluorescence of the enzyme, when it was incubated with each liquid salt. In conclusion, the hydrolytic activity of Lip1 is modulated by the ionic liquids BmimBF4 and BmimPF6, improving the reaction rate and the catalytic efficiency of this enzyme when BmimPF6 was used. This effect is probably due to changes in the structure of Lip1 induced by the presence of these ionic liquids, stimulating its catalytic activity.     

Vapor Pressure of Water in Mixtures with Hydrophilic Ionic Liquids – A Contribution to the Design of Processes for Drying of Gases by Absorption in Ionic Liquids

The low water vapor pressures of mixtures of water with the ionic liquids (ILs), [EMIM][EtSO₄] and [BEIM][EtSO₄], indicate that a process of gas dehydration by absorption in ILs might be an alternative to the classical absorption process with triethylene glycol (TEG). The activity coefficient for an infinite dilution of water in the IL (x_IL → 1), which should be low for efficient dehydration, is only about 0.2 for [EMIM][EtSO₄] compared to 0.6 for triethylene glycol. In contrast to TEG, losses by evaporation are excluded with ILs as solvents, because they have a negligible vapor pressure. The number of separation stages needed for the absorption in the IL and for the subsequent regeneration of the water‐loaded IL is small, about six and eight, respectively. IL regeneration can be achieved by distillation of water out of the IL (e.g., at 120 °C) and stripping with ambient air, which is not possible in the case of TEG (chemical attack by O₂).