Method and apparatus for characterizing clathrate hydrate formation conditions employing microfluidic device

A test method for characterizing properties of a fluid, comprising:

• providing a microfluidic device having a first inlet port, an outlet port, and a microchannel as part of a fluid path between the first inlet port and the outlet port;
• while generating a flow of the fluid through the microchannel of the microfluidic device, measuring and recording fluid pressure at the first inlet port of the microfluidic device in conjunction with varying temperature of the microchannel of the microfluidic device to characterize properties of the fluid that flows through the microchannel of the microfluidic device.

A test method for characterizing properties that relate to the clathrate hydrate formation condition of a fluid that includes a reservoir fluid component, comprising:

• providing a microfluidic device having a first inlet port, an outlet port, and a microchannel as part of a fluid path between the first inlet port and the outlet port;
• and
• while generating a flow of the fluid through the microchannel of the microfluidic device, measuring and recording fluid pressure at the first inlet port of the microfluidic device in conjunction with varying temperature of the microchannel of the microfluidic device to characterize properties that relate to the clathrate hydrate formation condition of the fluid at the pressure of the flow through the microchannel of the microfluidic device.