LAUSR

Cationic surfactants and other low molecular weight compounds are known to inhibit nucleation and agglomeration of methane hydrates. In particular, tetralkylammonium salts are kinetic hydrate inhibitors; ie, they reduce the rate of hydrate formation. This work relates to the in‐silico determination of structural features of molecules modulating methane hydrate formation, as found experimentally, and the prediction of novel structures to be tested as candidate inhibitors. Experimental data for each molecule are the amount of absorbed methane. By inserting these numerical values into a chemoinformatic model, it was possible to find a mutual correlation between structural features and inhibition properties. A maximum amount of information is extracted from the structural features and experimental variables, and a model is generated to explain the relationship therebetween. Chemometric analysis was performed by using the software package Volsurf+ with the aim of finding a primary correlation between surfactant structures and their properties. Experimental parameters (pressure, temperature, and concentration) were further processed through an optimization procedure.