Surface coatings
AssigneeBP Exploration Operating Company Limited
InventorsAnthony David Smith, Kevin Richard West
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to the use of a mono-, di- or tri-glyceride of citric acid, or a derivative thereof, as a clathrate hydrate adhesion reducer in a surface coating composition. The mono-, di- or tri glyceride of citric acid is preferably a mono-glyceride in which the fatty acid is a monocarboxylic acid having a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic chain comprising between 12 and 20 carbon atoms, particularly oleic, linolenic, stearic or erucic acid. The surface coating composition can be used to coat at least part of a surface of an assembly for use in hydrocarbon production, transportation, storage or processing.
Claims37
1-13. (canceled)
A method of reducing clathrate hydrate adhesion to a surface of an assembly for use in hydrocarbon production, transportation, storage or processing, comprising coating at least part of the surface of the assembly with a surface coating composition comprising a mono- or di-glyceride of citric acid, or a derivative thereof.
A method of deploying a sub-sea hydrocarbon production, transportation, storage or processing assembly comprising coating at least part of a surface of the assembly with a surface coating composition comprising a mono- or di-glyceride of citric acid, or a derivative thereof, and lowering the assembly to a sub-sea location.
Use of a mono- or di-glyceride of citric acid, or a derivative thereof, as a clathrate hydrate adhesion reducer in a surface coating composition.
An assembly for use in hydrocarbon production, transportation, storage or processing comprising a surface which is at least partially coated by a coating comprising a mono- or di-glyceride of citric acid, or a derivative thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.