Promotion effect of graphite on cyclopentane hydrate based desalination

Desalination via hydrate processes is promising in producing freshwater at low energy cost. However, it is a great challenge to instantaneously produce and form large amount of hydrates in short time, particularly with salts presence. In this study, we used cheap and easily separated graphite particles to promote hydrate based desalination. The added graphite can promote the formation of hydrate, greatly shortening the induction time. The desalination efficiency was also enhanced due to the introduced graphite. Combined graphite and stirring, both the desalination efficiency and water conversion ratio were boosted. The impact of particle sizes of graphite on hydrate formation was found to be different at static state and stirring. The proposed hydrate based desalination is almost independent on treated volume. Additionally, this method can use the nature chilling, which is potential in further reducing the energy cost of desalination via hydrate. The findings in this study would help rationally choose and design promoting agents and hydrate processes for facilitating hydrate formation and desalination via hydrates.