Quaternized polyether amines as gas hydrate inhibitors

• US 6,025,302 A
• Filed: 05/18/1998
• Issued: 02/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BJ Services Company
• Original Assignee: BJ Services Company
• Inventors: Pakulski, Marek K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brouillette, D. Gabrielle
• Assistant Examiner(s): CROSS, LATOYA I
• Application Number:
  US09/081,160
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 507/90, 585/15, 585/950
• US Class Current: 507/90
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2208/22 Hydrates inhibition by using well treatment fluids containing inhibitors of hydrate formers
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/52 Compositions for preventing, limiting or eliminating depositions, e.g. for cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 3/06 Natural gas; Synthetic natural gas obtained by processes not covered by C10G, C10K3/02 or C10K3/04 liquefying by pressure and cold treatment F25J
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 585/95 Prevention or removal of corrosion or solid deposits

Abstract

New compositions and methods for inhibiting the formation and/or growth of gas hydrates are described. The compositions are generally polyether ammonium compounds of the formula:

[R'"'"'R'"'"'R"N--(CHRCH.sub.2 (OCH.sub.2 CHR).sub.n NR'"'"'--).sub.m R'"'"'].sup.+

[X]^-

where R=H or CH₃ ;

R'"'"'=H or C_a H_2a+1, where a=1 to 4;

R"=C_b H_2b+1, where b=4 to 20;

m=1 to 4;

and n=2 to 6.

The anion [X]^- may be freely substituted. Methods for inhibiting the formation and/or growth of gas hydrates involve treating fluid mixtures with the polyether ammonium compounds described.

Claims

1. A method for inhibiting the formation or growth of gas hydrates in a fluid mixture, comprising admixing polyether ammonium compound having the formula

View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said polyether ammonium compound comprises

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said polyether ammonium compound comprises

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said polyether ammonium compound is admixed with said fluid mixture in an amount of about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of water present in said fluid mixture.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said polyether ammonium compound is admixed with said fluid mixture in an amount of about 0.05 to about 1% by weight of water present in said fluid mixture.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said polyether ammonium compound is admixed with a kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor.

7. A method for inhibiting the formation or growth of gas hydrates in a pipe containing a petroleum fluid stream having hydrate forming constituents, comprising admixing a polyether ammonium compound of the formula:

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">[R'"'"'R'"'"'R"N--(CHRCH.sub.2 (OCH.sub.2 CHR).sub.n NR'"'"'--).sub.m R'"'"'].sup.+ [X].sup.-

where R=H or CH₃ ;

R'"'"'=H or C_a H_2a+1, where a=1 to 4;

R"=C_b H_2b+1, where b=4 to 20;

X=Cl, Br, I, SO₄ ^-, OH, or CH₃ COO;

m=1 to 4;

and n=2 to 6

with said petroleum fluid stream, whereby said polyether ammonium compound is present in an amount which interferes with the formation or growth of gas hydrates in said fluid stream.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said polyether ammonium compound comprises

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said polyether ammonium compound comprises

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said polyether ammonium compound is admixed with said petroleum fluid stream in an amount of about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of water present in said fluid stream.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said polyether ammonium compound is admixed with said petroleum fluid stream in an amount of about 0.05 to about 1% by weight of water present in said fluid stream.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein said polyether ammonium compound is admixed with a kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor.