US 2024/0269719 A1 · Hydrate Mitigation in a Pipeline with Vortex Tubes

Abstract

A system to prevent the formation of hydrates in a pipeline includes a heater assembly. The heater assembly has a vortex tube mounted on an outer surface of a first section of the pipeline and a compressed gas source. The vortex tube is configured to separate gas from an inlet into a hot gas pathway and a cold gas pathway. The vortex tube includes an inlet, a cold gas outlet, and a hot gas outlet. The hot gas outlet of the vortex tube is fluidly connected to an opening defined in the first section of the pipeline. The hot gas outlet is configured to flow hot gas from the vortex tube into an interior volume of the pipeline. The compressed gas source is fluidly connected to the inlet of the vortex tube.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A method to prevent formation of hydrates in a pipeline, the method comprising:

receiving first temperature signals from a temperature sensor arranged in a pipeline, wherein the first temperature signals indicate a temperature of a natural gas fluid flowing through the pipeline,
determining, based on the first temperature signals, that the natural gas fluid has a first temperature below 10° C., and
in response to determining that the natural gas fluid has a first temperature between below 10° C., controlling a flow of hot gas from a heater assembly mounted to the pipeline to an interior volume of the pipeline, wherein the flow of the hot gas prevents the formation of hydrates in the pipeline.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

18/626,827Filed 4 Apr 2024

Priority

1 Feb 2021

Published

15 Aug 2024

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

B08B 9/032
Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages: by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing
B08B 9/0328
Using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid: by purging the pipe with a gas or a mixture of gas and liquid
F16L 58/00
Protection of pipes or pipe fittings against corrosion or incrustation
F17C 5/06
Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures: for filling with compressed gases

Hydrate Mitigation in a Pipeline with Vortex Tubes

Life of this patent

Hydrate Mitigation in a Pipeline with Vortex Tubes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7