Early warning system for hydrate or clathrate materials
US9310350B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2012 |
| Grant date | Apr 12, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/2829
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of detecting hydrate formation includes monitoring a gas phase of interest. The gas phase is a mixture of gases comprising at least one hydrate forming gas. The monitoring includes determining the concentration of at least one component of the mixture of gases, or determining a ratio of concentration between two components of the mixture, at least one of which is the hydrate forming gas. When a change in the determined concentration or in the determined ratio of concentration is detected, relative to an earlier determination or relative to a pre-established base level concentration or base level range of concentration then formation of a hydrate is indicated. Apparatus for carrying out the method and methods for estimating the location of hydrate formation in a pipeline are also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.