Method and composition to decrease iron sulfide deposits in pipe lines

Abstract

The levels of iron sulfide present in a conduit, such as a pipeline, are reduced by contacting the conduit, on an inner surface, with a composition obtained from an aqueous solution containing at least one compound of Formula (I) and at least one amine or corresponding ammonium derivative in the presence of a solvent, wherein X is an anion of valency n. Preferably, the pH of the solution is about 8. Alternatively, the method employs a composition comprising tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine (TRIS) and at least one amine or corresponding ammonium derivative. The amine preferably is ammonia or a primary alkylamine. The compositions readily complex and thereby dissolve deposits of iron(II) sulfide, removing them from the conduit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. provisional applications Ser. No. 60 / 373,381, filed Apr. 17, 2002, and No. 60 / 312,647, filed Aug. 15, 2001.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to methods and compositions to decrease or remove iron sulfide deposits in or on a conduit of a gas stream. [0003] Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a pernicious, naturally occurring contaminant of fluids that is encountered, for example, during the manipulation of oil or gas. The corrosive nature of H2S typically leads to the accumulation of particulate iron sulfide, which can become easily entrained in hydrocarbons as well as in glycol, salts, and other contaminants, forming intractable deposits on the surfaces of conduits such as pipelines. Such deposits present a significant problem to the oil and gas industries because the pipelines must be cleaned physically. Additionally, the iron sulfide deposits hinder accurate dete...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0061] The methods are broadly applicable to conduits that are contaminated or otherwise obstructed with iron sulfide deposits. The conduits include any vessel that can carry water, gas, or other fluids. Examples of conduits include but are not limited to pipelines, valves, filters, filtering devices, tanks, storage facilities. Conduits that are of particular relevance in the oil and gas industries are pipelines, which can carry dry gas, processed fluid, or both. Thus, a particular advantage of the present invention in this context is that the pH of the compositions introduced into the pipelines can be adjusted and controlled, thereby effecting the easy manipulation, maintenance, and removal of the compositions. The invention also contemplates the treatment of water and aqueous systems, such as tank waters, that are contaminated with iron sulfide. In this context, removal of iron sulfide will decrease the tendency for obstruction of filtering devices by iron sulfide, and thereby decrease the need for the conventional strong mineral acid treatments which typically result in the concomitant attack of iron pipes and other iron containment systems.

[0062] The compositions of this invention can be introduced into conduits by any means, or combination of means, necessary to bring the compositions into contact with iron sulfide deposits. The compositions can be introduced continuously or intermittently, i.e., batch-wise, into operating gas or fluid pipelines, for example. Alternatively, batch introduction is effective for offline pipelines, which have been temporarily taken out of service for cleaning. Industrial procedures include pigging, which is effective for the treatment of pipelines. The compositions can even be introduced into pipelines following the conventional pigging procedure to remove residual iron sulfide. Additionally, the compositions can be used in the ongoing treatment of such pipelines to maintain low levels of iron sulfide.

[0063] While the use of any particular composition of this invention is effective in removing iron sulfide from conduits, the optimum molar ratio of phosphorus to iron for a given composition is about 5:1. The optimum molar ratio can depend somewhat upon the amine or ammonium derivative contained in the composition, and is easily determined by routine experimentation. For example, a phosphorus to iron ratio of 4:1 is particularly effective for compositions of TRIS and ammonia, giving solutions that appear pink to magenta, depending on concentration of complexed iron sulfide. A phosphorus to iron ratio of 5.1:1 is most effective for compositions of TRIS and methylamine, which typically yield iron sulfide complexes ranging in color from salmon-orange to deep orange-brown, depending on the concentration of complexed iron sulfide. Molar ratios that deviate from an optimum ratio can be readily employed, however, wherein complexation and dissolution of iron sulfide will occur, albeit at slower rates. In any event, the solutions of solubilized iron sulfide, once formed, increasingly become pale yellow as the iron slowly oxidizes if exposed to air, but nevertheless remain homogeneous.

[0064] The following examples are given to illustrate the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the specific conditions or details described in these examples.

Problems solved by technology

The corrosive nature of H2S typically leads to the accumulation of particulate iron sulfide, which can become easily entrained in hydrocarbons as well as in glycol, salts, and other contaminants, forming intractable deposits on the surfaces of conduits such as pipelines.

Such deposits present a significant problem to the oil and gas industries because the pipelines must be cleaned physically.

Additionally, the iron sulfide deposits hinder accurate determinations of pipeline structural integrity, which can be assessed by instrumentation known as SMART PIGS.

A limited repertoire of techniques has been available for reducing or removing iron sulfide deposits from pipelines.

In the case of iron (II) sulfide, however, this method results in the evolution of hydrogen sulfide, and if in sufficient amount (greater than 437 cm3 / L at 0° C.) to its release as a toxic gas from the solution.

An additional disadvantage of using of strong mineral acids to clean pipelines is that most pipes are made of steel or iron, which are susceptible to attack by strong acids, thereby producing corrosion, deterioration, and pitting.

Furthermore, such attack also produces hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive in air.

The '127 PCT publication discloses, however, that the use of THP, at the pH required to rapidly complex iron sulfide, is fraught with practical barriers, including the formation of an insoluble polymer, when THP is formulated with ammonia as a co-reagent, and the oxidation of THP to the non-complexing tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine oxide.

Because the acid co-reagents are expensive, however, their use is undesirable when large quantities are necessary to remove iron sulfide deposits.

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