Development and testing of a new apparatus for the measurement of high-pressure low-temperature phase equilibria

A new apparatus for the study of high-pressure phase equilibria at low temperatures using an analytical method was designed, assembled and tested. The apparatus was specially developed for the study of multi-phase equilibria in systems containing hydrocarbons, water and hydrate inhibitors, at temperatures ranging from 213K to 353K and pressures up to 40MPa. The core of the apparatus is a variable-volume equilibrium cell, equipped with a 360° sapphire window and connected to an analytical system by three capillary samplers.The quality of the apparatus was confirmed through several tests, including the study of the system methane+water. An equilibrium point for the quaternary system methane+n-hexane+methanol+water is also presented.