Working Principle and Updating Advance of Rocking Cell Applications in a Hydrate Flow Assurance Investigation: A Mini-Review

As in deep-sea oil and gas pipelines, the formation of hydrates can lead to blockages, causing operational interruptions and potentially resulting in the narrowing of flow channels or even pipeline ruptures, which pose significant safety concerns. Therefore, ensuring flow assurance in multiphase pipelines is crucial for the success of deep-sea oil and gas exploration and long-distance transportation. Currently, in the field of hydrate flow assurance, the experimental equipment mainly includes an autoclave, rocking cell (also known as rock-flow cell), and flow loop. Among these devices, the rocking cell stands out due to its compact design, cost-effectiveness, and ease of operation. It is capable of simulating multiphase flow conditions in actual pipelines and, through its visualization capabilities, can intuitively display the entire process from hydrate formation to deposition. This paper reviews the development history of rocking cell systems and elaborates on the advantages and core working principles of the rocking cell in simulating multiphase flow, along with their diverse experimental research applications. The experimental research conducted by the rocking cell is further systematically organized and reviewed, categorizing the experimental content into three themes: the mechanism of hydrate formation to deposition, the kinetic characteristics of hydrate decomposition, and the performance evaluation of hydrate inhibitors. Furthermore, this paper provides an in-depth discussion of the challenges and limitations of existing research and proposes suggestions for improving the rocking cell apparatus to enhance simulation accuracy, operational flexibility, and data acquisition capabilities, contributing to the sustainable development of the oil and gas industry.