AA-LDHI and Corrosion Inhibitor Blend for Pipeline Hydrate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil and gas production technologies face challenges in simultaneously inhibiting the formation and agglomeration of gas hydrates and preventing internal pipeline corrosion, which can lead to costly equipment damage and production loss.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising an anti-agglomerant low dose hydrate inhibitor (AA-LDHI) and a corrosion inhibitor, preferably zwitterionic or cationic ammonium compounds, is used to inhibit both gas hydrate agglomeration and localized corrosion in petroleum fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If corrosion inhibitors are added to protect pipeline metallurgy, then corrosion resistance is improved, but hydrate agglomeration prevention capability is not addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines corrosion inhibition and hydrate agglomeration prevention into a single composition. The composition contains a corrosion inhibitor (0.01-50 wt%) and an anti-agglomerant low dose hydrate inhibitor (5-99.9 wt%), creating a dual-function product that simultaneously protects against both corrosion and hydrate formation, eliminating the need for separate chemical injections
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal chemical composition that performs multiple protective functions in oil and gas production systems. The single composition provides both corrosion inhibition through passivation film formation and hydrate agglomeration prevention through particle dispersion, making it adaptable to various production conditions and replacing multiple specialized chemicals with one multi-functional product
2Reliability
If thermodynamic hydrate inhibitors are used at high concentrations to prevent hydrate formation, then hydrate inhibition is improved, but cost and substance loss increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs anti-agglomerant low dose hydrate inhibitors that work at very low concentrations (5-99.9 wt% in the composition, typically much lower than thermodynamic inhibitors). These inhibitors allow hydrates to form but prevent them from agglomerating into blockages, using a disposable chemical approach where small amounts of inhibitor continuously prevent problematic hydrate accumulation without requiring large solvent volumes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanism of hydrate inhibition from thermodynamic (shifting phase equilibrium) to anti-agglomeration (controlling particle interaction). This parameter change allows use of much lower chemical dosages because the inhibitor works by preventing secondary agglomeration rather than requiring sufficient concentration to shift hydrate formation thermodynamics throughout the entire fluid system
3Reliability
If separate corrosion inhibitor and hydrate inhibitor systems are used, then each function is optimized, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate chemical protection systems into one combined composition. The single composition contains both corrosion inhibitor (0.01-50 wt%) and anti-agglomerant hydrate inhibitor (5-99.9 wt%), allowing injection through a single dosing system rather than requiring separate injection points, pumps, and control systems for two different chemicals
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal protective composition that replaces multiple specialized chemicals. The multi-functional product can be injected through existing single-stream dosing infrastructure, simplifying operational procedures and reducing the complexity of chemical management while providing both corrosion and hydrate protection simultaneously
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition effectively prevents gas hydrate agglomeration and reduces corrosion in oil and gas pipelines, enhancing infrastructure integrity and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
AAs allow hydrates to form but they prevent them from agglomerating and subsequently accumulating into larger masses capable of causing plugs. The function of an AA is to keep hydrate particles dispersed as a fluid slurry within the hydrocarbon phase.
Implementation Method 2
corrosion inhibitors are added into production fluids upstream of piping infrastructure intended to be protected. In general, corrosion inhibitors of this type protect the metal through formation of a passivation film on the metal surface.
Implementation Method 3
This passivation layer oil wets the metal surface, which in turn prevents contact of the metal from the corrosive nature of the produced reservoir fluids.
Implementation Method 4
A composition comprising an anti-agglomerant low dose hydrate inhibitor (AA-LDHI) and a corrosion inhibitor, preferably zwitterionic or cationic ammonium compounds, is used to inhibit both gas hydrate agglomeration and localized corrosion in petroleum fluids.
Data Source
AI summary
Hydrate inhibitor and corrosion inhibitor composition are disclosed and include from about 10 wt-% to about 99.9 wt-% of an anti-agglomerant low dose hydrate inhibitor (AA-LDHI), wherein the AA-LDHI is a zwitterionic compound or a cationic ammonium compound; from about 0.01 wt-% to about 50 wt-% of a corrosion inhibitor, and at least one additional functional ingredient, solvent, or a combination thereof. Methods for inhibiting corrosion and formation of gas hydrate agglomerants in a fluid are disclosed and include contacting the fluid with a hydrate inhibitor and corrosion inhibitor composition or contacting the fluid with an AA-LDHI, wherein the AA-LDHI is a zwitterionic compound or a cationic ammonium compound, and a corrosion inhibitor, wherein the AA-LDHI and corrosion inhibitor are provided at a weight ratio of about 1:0.001 to about 1:1, and wherein the composition inhibits general and localized corrosion and formation of gas hydrate agglomerants in the fluid.