The effect of type-I antifreeze proteins on the kinetics of methane hydrate formation

The formation of gas hydrates in the oil and gas industry causes numerous problems that require costly solutions and operation downtime. A great deal of hydrate research has focused on their prevention either through kinetic or thermodynamic inhibitors. Recently, antifreeze proteins (AFPs) produced by cold adapted organisms have been found to have a kinetic inhibitory effect on clathrate hydrates.; Kinetic experiments were conducted on the methane-water system in the presence of AFPs by measuring the gas uptake during the formation of methane hydrate in a 610 cc high pressure crystallizer. These experiments were performed at temperatures ranging from 277.15 K to 280.65 K, pressures of 5800 KPa to 8100 KPa and at an AFP concentration of 0.01 mM.; The results of these experiments showed that the presence of AFPs affect methane hydrate formation in multiple ways. They were shown to increase the nucleation time, reduce the initial growth rate of methane hydrate at the time of nucleation and there was evidence to suggest that they also have an anti-agglomerating effect on hydrate crystals.