Hydrate Dissociation in Pipelines by Two‐Sided Depressurization: Experiment and Model

Experimental data were obtained on the dissociation of short methane hydrate plugs in a simulated pipeline. The hydrate plugs were dissociated by the method of two‐sided depressurization. Results indicated that plug dissociation occurred radially and not axially. This results in extreme safety concerns, listed herein. When the system was depressurized to atmospheric pressure, ice was formed from the dissociating hydrate plug, which aided in the dissociation process. A model describing hydrate dissociation assumes that heat is conducted radially into the plug from the surroundings. The model is in quantitative agreement with the data using no fitted parameters. A rapid pressure reduction to atmospheric pressure on both ends of the hydrate plug leads to the optimal dissociation rate.