Gas Hydrate Dissolving Solution for Pipeline Blockages
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Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of gas hydrates in pipelines during natural gas production poses a significant challenge due to their insolubility and crystalline structure, leading to blockages that can cause operational issues and safety concerns, particularly in offshore production, where conventional inhibitors like methanol are costly and pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a gas hydrate dissolving solution comprising glycols, dimethylformamide, cesium formate, or potassium formate into the pipeline to at least partially dissolve or inhibit the growth of gas hydrates, thereby preventing blockages and modifying their structure to smaller particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If methanol is added to dissolve gas hydrates, then gas hydrate dissolution is achieved, but safety problems and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces methanol with alternative additives including formates (potassium formate, sodium formate), glycols (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol), and their mixtures. These substitutes offer comparable or superior gas hydrate dissolution effectiveness while eliminating methanol's safety hazards (flash point, toxicity) and reducing costs, particularly in offshore production environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by introducing formates and glycols with different molecular structures and properties compared to methanol. These parameter changes result in additives that achieve the same thermodynamic inhibition effect while improving safety characteristics (higher flash points) and economic performance
2Reliability
If methanol is added to dissolve gas hydrates, then gas hydrate dissolution is achieved, but storage and logistics problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent promotes alternative additives (formates, glycols) that simplify storage and logistics compared to methanol. These substitutes require smaller storage tanks, reduce recycling infrastructure needs, and eliminate the complex safety management required for methanol handling in offshore operations
3Stability of the object's composition
If gas hydrates form in pipelines, then crystalline structure is formed, but blockages occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermodynamic inhibition by adding formates and glycols to the pipeline system before gas hydrates can form. These additives shift the equilibrium conditions, preventing the water-gas system from reaching the crystalline hydrate phase under operating temperature and pressure conditions, thereby avoiding blockages before they occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces formates and glycols as intermediary substances that interact with the water-gas system to prevent hydrate formation. These additives mediate between the water and gas molecules, interfering with the cage structure formation and preventing the crystalline hydrate phase from stabilizing in the pipeline
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 proposed solution effectively dissolves or inhibits gas hydrate formation, reducing the risk of blockages and operational disruptions while offering safer and more cost-effective alternatives to traditional inhibitors.
Implementation Method 1
introducing a gas hydrate dissolving solution into the pipeline and allowing the gas hydrate dissolving solution to at least partially dissolve the gas hydrate in the pipeline
Data Source
AI summary
A method of dissolving a gas hydrate in a pipeline includes introducing a gas hydrate dissolving solution into the pipeline and allowing the gas hydrate dissolving solution to at least partially dissolve the gas hydrate in the pipeline. The gas hydrate dissolving solution includes a glycol, dimethylformamide, or both, and has a boiling point of greater than 80° C. A method of dissolving a gas hydrate in a pipeline may also include introducing a gas hydrate dissolving solution into the pipeline and allowing the gas hydrate dissolving solution to at least partially dissolve the gas hydrate in the pipeline. The gas hydrate dissolving solution includes comprises a glycol, dimethylformamide, cesium formate, potassium formate, or combinations thereof, and has a flash point of greater than 50° C.