Method for inhibiting the plugging of conduits by gas hydrates

A method for inhibiting the plugging of a conduit, the conduit containing a flowing mixture comprising an amount of hydrocarbons having from one to five carbons and an amount of water wherein the amounts of hydrocarbons and water are sufficent to form hydrates at conduit temperatures and pressures, the method comprising the steps of:

• adding to the mixture an amount of a hydrate formation inhibitor component of the formula ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are independently chosen from the group consisting of normal and branched alkyls each having from 4 to 6 carbon atoms,
• and X is N--R.sub.4, wherein R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and organic substituents and
• Y.sup.- is an anion, the amount effective to inhibit formation of hydrates in the mixture at conduit temperatures and pressures;
• and
• flowing the mixture containing the hydrate formation inhibitor through the conduit.