Multi-tail hydrate inhibitors
AssigneeMulti-Chem Group, LLC
InventorsFunian Zhao, Yanqui Sun, Liangwei Qu, Erick J. Acosta
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Low-dosage hydrate inhibitor (“LDHI”) compounds comprising multiple lipophilic tails and a hydrophilic head may be employed into fluids to inhibit agglomeration of hydrates, among other things. Suitable hydrophilic heads may include quaternary or tertiary ammonium cation moieties, and combinations thereof. Such LDHI compounds in some embodiments may include reaction products of DETA and/or other amines, fatty acid(s), and, optionally, alkyl halide(s). Compounds according to some embodiments may be employed in fluids in various environments, such as a conduit penetrating a subterranean formation, or a conduit carrying fluid in an industrial setting.
Claims21
A method of inhibiting the formation of hydrate agglomerates, the method comprising:
- introducing a composition into a fluid comprising (i) water and (ii) one of gas, liquid hydrocarbon, and combinations thereof;
- wherein the composition comprises a low-dosage hydrate inhibitor (“LDHI”) compound, the LDHI compound having the structural formula:
- wherein each of R1 and R2 is a C1 to C50 hydrocarbon chain;
- wherein each of Z and Z′ is a functional group capable of reacting with an amine, the inclusion of which maintains hydrophobicity of each of R1 and R2;
- wherein each of L and L′ is a C1 to C20 hydrocarbon chain;
- and
- wherein M is selected from the group consisting of R3N and R3R4N+, wherein each of R3 and R4 may independently be selected from the group consisting of:
- hydrogen and a C1 to C10 hydrocarbon chain.
A method of inhibiting the formation of hydrate agglomerates, the method comprising:
- introducing a composition into a fluid comprising (i) water and (ii) one of gas, liquid hydrocarbon, and combinations thereof;
- wherein the composition comprises an LDHI compound comprising multiple lipophilic tails, a linking moiety, and an ammonium hydrophilic head comprising a quaternary ammonium cation moiety having the structural formula
- wherein each of R3 and R4 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a C1 to C10 hydrocarbon chain.
A composition comprising compound having the structural formula:
- wherein each of R1 and R2 is a C1 to C50 hydrocarbon chain;
- wherein R3 is a C1 to C10 hydrocarbon chain;
- and
- wherein X is an anion selected from the group consisting of halide, carboxylate, sulfate, organic sulfonate, hydroxide, and combinations thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.