The hydration characteristics of a quiescent reactor with inner-placed vertical heat transfer tube were researched, the reaction materials were 300ppm sodium dodecyl sulfate water solution and R141b. The growth morphology were described through the photos taken during the growth/decomposition processes. The temperatures of two points inside the reactor were also recorded and analyzed. The mass transfer mechanism was explained by surface free energy theory, the heat transfer process was also simulated. It was revealed that water can permeate into the guest phases along the surface of heat transfer tube, so massive gas hydrate can grow steadily along the vertical heat transfer tube in the guest phases without mechanic stirring, the reaction heat can be removed quickly by the coolant flowing inside the heat transfer tube. This finding will benefit gas hydrate application technologies such as natural gas storage and transportation with hydrate, or refrigerant cool storage with gas hydrate. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All fights reserved.