METHOD OF INHIBITING CLATHRATE-HYDRATES Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: petrochemical processes.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to methods for preventing hydrate formation in various hydrocarbon-containing liquids and gases comprising hydrogen-containing molecules and can be used in production, transportation, and processing of hydrocarbon-containing raw materials. Inhibition of formation of clathrate-hydrates in liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon feedstock containing hydrate-forming components is carried out by adding water-soluble oxygenates as inhibitors. Oxygenates are added in amounts 0.01 to 3.29% with respect to known amount of C₁-C₆-hydrocarbons contained in feedstock. Optimal amount of utilized oxygenates is found from formula: C = MΔt_g/(K+Δt_g), where C is concentration of oxygenates in feed stream calculated on 1000 m³ of C₁-C₆-hydrocarbons, M molecular weight of oxygenates involved, Δt_g value of temperature drop caused by hydrate formation in feed stream, and K coefficient characterizing antihydrate potential of oxygenates. Method allows amount of oxygenate used as inhibitor to be considerable diminished (at least by a factor of 1.5). Duration of activity of inhibitor in hydrocarbon feedstock is twice prolonged as compared to known processes.

EFFECT: increased hydrate formation inhibition efficiency.

10 cl, 1 tbl, 6 ex