Hydrophobic amino acids as a new class of kinetic inhibitors for gas hydrate formation.
As the foundation of energy industry moves towards gas, flow assurance technology preventing pipelines from hydrate blockages becomes increasingly significant. However, the principle of hydrate inhibition is still poorly understood. Here, we examined natural hydrophobic amino acids as novel kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs), and investigated hydrate inhibition phenomena by using them as a model system. Amino acids with lower hydrophobicity were found to be better KHIs to delay nucleation and retard growth, working by disrupting the water hydrogen bond network, while those with higher hydrophobicity strengthened the local water structure. It was found that perturbation of the water structure around KHIs plays a critical role in hydrate inhibition. This suggestion of a new class of KHIs will aid development of KHIs with enhanced biodegradability, and the present findings will accelerate the improved control of hydrate formation for natural gas exploitation and the utilization of hydrates as next-generation gas capture media.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science & Technology, San 31, Hyoja-Dong, Nam-Gu, Pohang-Si, Gyeongbuk, Korea.
Jeong-Hoon
JH
Sa
Gye-Hoon
GH
Kwak
Bo Ram
BR
Lee
Da-Hye
DH
Park
Kunwoo
K
Han
Kun-Hong
KH
Lee
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D005740:Gases / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007700:Kinetics; D008422:Materials Testing; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
D000596:Amino Acids; D005740:Gases; D014867:Water