Process for recycling a dispersing additive used for the transportation of a condensate gas or of an oil with associated gas in the presence of hydrates
US5877361A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S585/95
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process for transporting a fluid in a pipe under conditions where hydrates may form. In the process, the pipe fluid contains at least one of a gaseous hydrocarbon or liquid hydrocarbon and water and the water content is less than the liquid hydrocarbon content. The process includes the steps of 1) adding a dispersive additive in a hydrocarbon solution to the fluid to be transported, so as to form an emulsion, 2) transporting the liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in the presence of water and the hydrates, 3) separating the gas phase, the hydrocarbon liquid in excess and a liquid hydrocarbon phase comprising the hydrates and the dispersing additive, and 4) separating the liquid hydrocarbon phase comprising the hydrates and the dispersing additives. The liquid hydrocarbon phase comprising the hydrates is separated by dissociating the hydrates to form a water-in-oil emulsion, the additives being solved in the oil or liquid hydrocarbon, and breaking the water-in-oil emulsion so as to obtain an aqueous phase and a liquid hydrocarbon comprising the additives. Finally the liquid hydrocarbon phase containing at least part of the dispersing additive from step 4, is recycled to a point in the…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.