The Measurement of Surface Tension by the Pendant Drop Technique

Clathrate hydrate formation and subsequent plugging of deep-sea oil and gas pipelines represent a significant bottleneck for deep-sea oil and gas operations and expansion to greater depths. Current methods for hydrate mitigation are energy intensive and environmentally unfriendly, comprising chemical, thermal, or flow management techniques. In this paper, we present an alternate approach of using functionalized coatings to reduce hydrate adhesion to surfaces, ideally to a low enough level that hydrodynamic shear stresses can detach deposits and prevent plug formation. Systematic and quantitative studies of hydrate adhesion on smooth substrates with varying solid surface energies reveal a linear trend between hydrate adhesion strength and the practical work of adhesion (1+cos θ rec ) of a suitable probe liquid, that is, one with similar surface energy properties to those of the hydrate. A reduction in hydrate adhesion strength by more than a factor of four when compared to bare steel is achieved on surfaces characterized by low Lewis acid, Lewis base, and van der Waals contributions to surface free energy such that the practical work of adhesion is minimized.These fundamental studies provide a framework for the development of hydrate-phobic surfaces, and could lead to passive enhancement of flow assurance and prevention of blockages in deep-sea oil and gas operations.

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“…The variation of surface tension with time was measured using the pendant drop method [32] (Fig. S1).…”

Section: Contact Angle Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrate-phobic surfaces: fundamental studies in clathrate hydrate adhesion reduction

Smith

Meuler

Bralower

et al. 2012

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.

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“…Evaluation of surface tension of a sessile drop, based on a simple formula which only involved a pair of length measurements (maximum drop diameter and height of drop from The analysis of pendant drops using a pair of length measurements dates back to Andreas et al [6] in 1938, who used the maximum drop diameter and the drop diameter, as 10 measured at that distance away from the apex. Surface tension may then be computed from tabulated values obtained from numerical solutions of the Laplace-Young equation [7,8], together with numerical approximations and interpolations [9]. (The table initially provided by Andreas et al [6] was based on experimental measurements of drop shapes.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A simple formula for the estimation of surface tension from two length measurements for a sessile or pendant drop

Hutzler

Ryan-Purcell

Dunne

et al. 2018

Philosophical Magazine Letters

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“…It is not surprising then that a great deal of effort has been focussed on the development of methods for measuring interfacial tensions (see references 1-3 for extensive reviews). The most versatile of the available methods are those based on the characterization of axisymmetric fluid drop profiles (2,(4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The determination of interfacial tension by video image processing of pendant fluid drops

Anastasiadis

Chen

Koberstein³

et al. 1987

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

171

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The Measurement of Surface Tension by the Pendant Drop Technique

Cited by 391 publications

References 1 publication

Hydrate-phobic surfaces: fundamental studies in clathrate hydrate adhesion reduction

Hydrate-phobic surfaces: fundamental studies in clathrate hydrate adhesion reduction

A simple formula for the estimation of surface tension from two length measurements for a sessile or pendant drop

The determination of interfacial tension by video image processing of pendant fluid drops

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