Patent · US Expired

Hydrate inhibition

US6063972A · kind A · utility

24Cited by
4References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 17, 1998
Grant dateMay 16, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 17, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/0391
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method of inhibiting or retarding formation of hydrates from water and a lower alkane, such as methane or ethane, involves adding additives which comprise (i) a corrosion inhibitor and (ii) a salt which is of formula [R.sup.1 (R.sup.2)XR.sup.3 ].sup.+ Y.sup.-, wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is bonded directly to X, each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which may be the same or different is an alkyl group of at least 4 carbons, X is S, NR.sup.4 or PR.sup.4, wherein each of R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 which may be the same or different represents hydrogen or an organic group, with the proviso that at least one of R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is an organic group of at least 4 carbons, and Y is an anion, the additives being added in an amount effective to inhibit or retard hydrate formation, to a medium susceptible to hydrate formation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.