Ionic Liquid Inhibitor Composition for Gas Hydrate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas hydrate inhibitors are insufficient in controlling and inhibiting the formation of gas hydrates, often requiring excessive amounts or failing to retard formation effectively, leading to pipeline blockages and production losses in oil and gas industries.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising specific ionic liquid compounds, such as N-hydroxyethyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium chloride and polyvinylcaprolactam, which alter the equilibrium conditions of gas hydrates to form at lower temperatures and higher pressures, and extend the induction time of gas hydrate formation, thereby inhibiting their formation in oil and natural gas industries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional inhibitors are used to inhibit gas hydrate formation, then some retarding effect is achieved, but too much amount of inhibitor is needed and insufficient retarding occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the inhibitor by using ionic liquid compounds with specific structures (pyrrolidinium, imidazolum, triazolium cations with various anions) instead of conventional inhibitors. This parameter change in chemical composition enables superior inhibition performance at lower concentrations, directly resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and quantity required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite ionic liquid formulations combining different cations and anions to create synergistic effects. These composite inhibitor compositions achieve enhanced gas hydrate inhibition effectiveness while reducing the total amount of inhibitor needed compared to single-component conventional inhibitors
2Reliability
If conventional inhibitors are used, then some inhibition is achieved, but the retarding effect is insufficient and pipeline blockages still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The ionic liquid inhibitors work by preliminary anti-action, preventing gas hydrate formation before it can occur by altering the equilibrium conditions and extending induction time. This proactive inhibition mechanism provides more reliable pipeline protection compared to conventional inhibitors that fail to prevent formation under certain conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermodynamic parameters of the system by introducing ionic liquids that shift the gas hydrate equilibrium to lower temperatures and higher pressures. This parameter change in the phase behavior effectively reduces the harmful effect of gas hydrate formation, improving pipeline protection reliability
3Reliability
If more inhibitor is used to improve inhibition effectiveness, then better retarding is achieved, but cost increases and excessive amounts are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ionic liquid inhibitors that are effective at very low concentrations (0.01-5 wt%), replacing the need for large quantities of conventional inhibitors. This approach uses small amounts of highly effective inhibitor material to achieve the desired protection, reducing both quantity required and associated costs
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the chemical parameters to use ionic liquid compounds with specific functional groups and structures, the patent achieves superior inhibition performance per unit mass. This parameter optimization allows effective gas hydrate control at much lower inhibitor concentrations, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and quantity
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 inhibits gas hydrate formation by shifting equilibrium conditions and extending induction times, reducing gas hydrate formation by 1.3-1.7K in temperature and delaying formation by several hours, thus preventing pipeline blockages and production losses.
Implementation Method 1
the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 and polyvinylcaprolactam change equilibrium conditions of the gas hydrate to allow the gas hydrate to be formed at a lower temperature and/or higher pressure
Implementation Method 2
extends an induction time of a gas hydrate formation under the same temperature and pressure, thus inhibiting the formation of the gas hydrate
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a composition for inhibiting a gas hydrate formation, the composition including an ionic liquid compound and polyvinylcaprolactam. The composition can reduce the formation rate of a gas hydrate under the same environment in small quantity, thus remarkably extending the induction time of a gas hydrate formation.