A Visual Investigation of the Phase Transition of Cyclopentane Hydrates in Porous Media Under the Electrostatic Field

Hydrates, which serve as a novel form of clean energy and a key component in carbon capture and storage (CCS), require a thorough understanding of their phase transition mechanisms within porous media for the effective implementation of related technologies. In this study, a microfluidic chip was developed to emulate subsurface porous media and phase transition experiments were performed on cyclopentane (CP) hydrates. By means of microscopic observation, we analyzed the influence of an applied electrostatic field under identical subcooling conditions on hydrate morphology, growth rate, induction time, and equilibrium temperature. The results show that the application of an electrostatic field has the ability to alter the growth morphology of CP hydrate crystals, shortening the induction time, although lowering the phase equilibrium temperature. Furthermore, both the induction time and the phase equilibrium temperature increase with increasing electric field intensity. Under the influence of an electrostatic field, the growth rate of CP hydrates exhibits a noticeable enhancement, with an initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease as the electric field intensity escalates. This study provides valuable insights into the application of electric fields in hydrate development and hydrate-based CCS technologies.