Influence of volumetric-flow rate in the crystallizer on the gas-hydrate cool-storage process in a new gas-hydrate cool-storage system

Experimental results of the gas-hydrate R141b cool-storage process are used to study the performance of a new type gas-hydrate cool-storage system. The relations among the cooling rate of the cool-storage medium, the degree of subcooling of crystallization, the formation rate of gas-hydrate, the cold energy stored and the volumetric flow rate in the crystallizer are provided. The experimental results indicate that the cool storage effect of the system is better when the volumetric flow rate in the crystallizer is between 150 and 450 l/h, the corresponding cooling rate of the cool-storage medium is between 0.055 and 0.105 °C/min, the degree of subcooling of crystallization is between 1.97 and 3.50 °C, the formation rate of the gas-hydrate is between 0.30 and 0.4 g/s, and the cold energy stored is between 2.9 and 4.0 MJ. The results presented provide guidance for the actual efficient operation of a new type of gas-hydrate cool-storage system.