Hydrate inhibition

Abstract

A method of inhibiting or retarding formation of hydrates from water and a lower alkane, such as methane or ethane, involves adding additives which comprise (i) a corrosion inhibitor and (ii) a salt which is of formula [R.sup.1 (R.sup.2)XR.sup.3 ].sup.+ Y.sup.-, wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is bonded directly to X, each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which may be the same or different is an alkyl group of at least 4 carbons, X is S, NR.sup.4 or PR.sup.4, wherein each of R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 which may be the same or different represents hydrogen or an organic group, with the proviso that at least one of R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is an organic group of at least 4 carbons, and Y is an anion, the additives being added in an amount effective to inhibit or retard hydrate formation, to a medium susceptible to hydrate formation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.