Methane hydrate crystallization mechanism from in-situ particle sizing

A new experimental setup that makes possible in-situ determinations of the population density function of the methane hydrate particles during its crystallization in a pressurized reactor is used. Thanks; to this equipment, new results can be obtained, ill particular concerning the granular aspects of the crystallization processes and the influence of the stirring rate. These results are discussed in the framework of a model including gas absorption, primary and secondary nucleation, crystal growth, agglomeration, and breakage. Front this discussion, the relevant processes and parameters of methane hydrate crystallization can be determined and quantified.