Polyamine Sulfonic Acid Salt for Schmoo Removal and Corrosion Inhibition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In oil and gas fields, the buildup of hydrocarbon deposits known as 'schmoo' in equipment and pipelines leads to operational issues such as line plugging, revenue loss, and equipment failure, while existing corrosion inhibitors are ineffective when schmoo deposits are present, as they fail to form protective films on surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A cleaner/corrosion inhibitor composition comprising a polyamine sulfonic acid salt, formed by reacting a polyamine component with a sulfonic acid component, which includes a mixture of tetraethylenepentamine, pentaethylenehexamine, and hexaethyleneheptamine, along with a corrosion inhibitor component like imidazolinium salts and a synergist like 2-mercaptoethanol, providing both corrosion protection and effective removal of schmoo deposits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If corrosion inhibitors are used to form protective films on equipment surfaces, then corrosion protection is improved, but the presence of schmoo deposits prevents effective coating and protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first removing schmoo deposits using a cleaner component (such as alkyl phenolic compounds or sulfonated oils) before applying the corrosion inhibitor. This sequence ensures that the corrosion inhibitor can effectively form protective films on clean surfaces, resolving the contradiction between achieving corrosion protection and dealing with schmoo deposits that would otherwise prevent proper coating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cleaner component and corrosion inhibitor into a single combined composition. The cleaner component removes schmoo deposits while the corrosion inhibitor simultaneously or subsequently forms protective films on the equipment surfaces. This combination approach allows both functions to work together effectively, addressing both the schmoo deposition problem and corrosion protection need in one integrated solution.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If chemical cleaners are used to remove schmoo deposits, then deposit removal is improved, but equipment corrosion protection may be compromised without proper inhibitor integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cleaner components (such as alkyl phenolic compounds, sulfonated oils, or polymeric cleaners) with corrosion inhibitor components (such as carboxylic acid salts or phenolic compounds) into a single composition. This merging ensures that as the cleaner removes schmoo deposits, the corrosion inhibitor simultaneously provides protection to the equipment surfaces, preventing the contradiction between effective cleaning and corrosion protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrosion inhibitor acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the cleaning action and the equipment surface. As the cleaner component removes deposits, the corrosion inhibitor intermediates by forming protective films on the exposed surfaces, ensuring that the cleaning process does not leave the equipment vulnerable to corrosion. This intermediary function resolves the contradiction by protecting the equipment during and after the cleaning process.
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 achieves greater than 95% corrosion protection and over 60% schmoo removal, maintaining equipment integrity and preventing line plugging, even in challenging hydrocarbon and brine environments.
Implementation Method 1
Corrosion inhibitors work primarily by forming protective films on the surfaces of the infrastructure. This creates a protective barrier from the corrosive fluids.
Implementation Method 2
The polyamine sulfonic acid salt can be formed by reaction of a polyamine component with a sulfonic acid component.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are cleaner/corrosion inhibiting compositions useful in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the compositions as cleaners/corrosion inhibitors, particularly in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas.