Ionic Liquid Additives for Structure II Gas Hydrate Inhibition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas hydrate inhibitors are insufficient in preventing the formation of structure II gas hydrates, often requiring high concentrations and being costly to implement, especially in deep-sea oil and gas production environments where they can block pipelines.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of additives such as N-hexyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate (HMP-BF4), N-hydroxyethyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate (HEMP-BF4), and N-ethyl-N-methyl-immidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIM-BF4) in combination with a gas hydrate inhibitor to effectively inhibit structure II gas hydrate formation, even at reduced inhibitor concentrations, thereby extending the induction time of hydrate formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gas hydrate inhibitors are used at high concentrations to sufficiently inhibit structure II gas hydrate formation, then the inhibition effectiveness is improved, but the cost and complexity of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a conventional gas hydrate inhibitor with a phase transfer catalyst to create a composite inhibition system. This composite approach allows the catalyst to enhance the inhibitor's effectiveness, enabling sufficient gas hydrate inhibition at lower overall inhibitor concentrations, thus resolving the contradiction between inhibition effectiveness and inhibitor quantity required
Solution Approach 2:
The phase transfer catalyst acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the interaction between the inhibitor and the gas hydrate formation process. The catalyst transfers and amplifies the inhibitory effect, allowing smaller amounts of the primary inhibitor to achieve the same level of protection against structure II gas hydrate formation
2Reliability
If conventional gas hydrate inhibitors are used in high amounts to prevent hydrate formation, then the reliability of pipeline operation is improved, but the loss of substance and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By forming a composite system with a phase transfer catalyst, the patent reduces the quantity of conventional inhibitor needed while maintaining pipeline operation reliability. The catalyst enhances the inhibitor's performance, decreasing overall inhibitor consumption and associated costs
Solution Approach 2:
The introduction of the phase transfer catalyst changes the chemical parameters of the inhibition system, improving the inhibitor's efficiency and reducing the concentration required to maintain reliable pipeline operation, thereby reducing substance loss and cost
3Duration of action of moving object
If high concentrations of gas hydrate inhibitors are used to inhibit structure II gas hydrate formation, then the induction time of hydrate formation is extended, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phase transfer catalyst serves as an intermediary that amplifies the inhibitor's effect on extending the induction time of gas hydrate formation. This mediation allows lower inhibitor concentrations to achieve the same extension of induction time, reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The phase transfer catalyst is typically present in small amounts and continuously enhances the inhibitor's effectiveness throughout the system's operation. This self-service mechanism maintains extended induction times without requiring complex control systems or high inhibitor concentrations, thereby reducing overall system complexity
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 combination of these additives with a gas hydrate inhibitor significantly delays the formation of structure II gas hydrates, achieving inhibition comparable to or greater than conventional inhibitors, with induction times exceeding 16 hours and up to 24 hours in laboratory tests, reducing the need for high inhibitor doses and operational disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
A method for inhibiting structure II (sII) gas hydrate formation, which includes treating (i) a gas hydrate inhibitor and (ii) at least one additive selected from the group consisting or N-hexyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate (HMP-BF4), N-hydroxyethyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate (HEMP-BF4) N-ethyl-N-methyl-immidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIM-BF4) and N-ethyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate (EMP-BF4) in water, which is in contact with a gas mixture forming structure II (sII) gas hydrate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for inhibiting structure II (sII) gas hydrate formation which comprises treating (i) a gas hydrate inhibitor and (ii) at least one additive selected from the group consisting of N-hexyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate (HMP-BF4), M-hydroxyethyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate (HEMP-BF4), N-ethyl-N-methyl-immidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIM-BF4) and N-ethyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate (EMP-BF4) in water, which is in contact with a gas mixture of forming structure II gas hydrate.The additives according to the present invention can exhibit the same or greater effects of inhibiting the formation of the structure II gas hydrate through an interaction, even when the amount of a gas hydrate inhibitor is reduced.