US 9,310,350 B2 · Early warning system for hydrate or clathrate materials

Abstract

A method of detecting hydrate formation includes monitoring a gas phase of interest. The gas phase is a mixture of gases comprising at least one hydrate forming gas. The monitoring includes determining the concentration of at least one component of the mixture of gases, or determining a ratio of concentration between two components of the mixture, at least one of which is the hydrate forming gas. When a change in the determined concentration or in the determined ratio of concentration is detected, relative to an earlier determination or relative to a pre-established base level concentration or base level range of concentration then formation of a hydrate is indicated. Apparatus for carrying out the method and methods for estimating the location of hydrate formation in a pipeline are also described.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method of detecting clathrate formation, the method comprising:

monitoring a gas phase of interest, wherein the gas phase is a mixture of gases comprising at least one clathrate forming gas and the monitoring includes determining the concentration of at least one component of the mixture of gases;
or determining a ratio of concentration between two components of the mixture, at least one of which is the said clathrate forming gas;
and
detecting a change in the determined concentration or in the determined ratio of concentration, relative to an earlier determination or relative to a pre-established base level concentration or base level range of concentration.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Early warning system for hydrate or clathrate materials

Life of this patent

Early warning system for hydrate or clathrate materials

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16