Control of Hydrate Formation by Surfactants and Polymers

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes new classes of chemical inhibitors that delay or interfere with the hydrate formation process that could be used to cost-effectively maintain produced gas/oil/water systems in readily transportable form. Our approach has been to look at the problem of hydrate formation on a molecular scale, and determine classes of so-called "kinetic inhibitors" that can act at much lower concentrations than anti-freezes. Using experiments conducted in high pressure sapphire cells we have determined various classes of chemicals that affect the hydrate formation process. In particular, one class delays the growth of hydrate crystals for substantial periods but after a certain gas uptake this eventually leads to hydrate plugging. A second class of inhibitor prevents agglomeration of hydrate crystals so that a transportable slurry is maintained. A third class can incorporate both these inhibition properties to a limited extent.