Polyvinyl Caprolactam Hydrate Inhibitor Using Green Solvents
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current kinetic hydrate inhibitors for preventing gas hydrate formation in the oil and gas industry are limited by the use of solvents with high toxicity and VOC emissions, and their effectiveness in inhibiting hydrate formation is not optimal.
Innovation Solution
A poly(vinyl caprolactam) polymer is produced using a polymerization solvent system comprising an alkylene carbonate and/or an alkyl lactate, which serves as a kinetic hydrate inhibitor, offering improved molecular weight distribution and superior hydrate inhibition performance compared to traditional solvents like 2-butoxyethanol or glycols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional solvents like 2-butoxyethanol or glycols are used in kinetic hydrate inhibitors, then hydrate inhibition performance is achieved, but toxicity and VOC emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the solvent system by replacing traditional high-toxicity solvents (2-butoxyethanol, glycols) with alternative solvents that have lower toxicity and VOC emissions, while maintaining the polymer's hydrate inhibition effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs alternative solvents that are more environmentally benign and potentially less expensive, replacing the need for expensive, highly regulated toxic solvents while achieving the same functional performance
2Reliability
If higher inhibitor concentrations are used to improve hydrate inhibition, then protection against hydrate formation is enhanced, but cost and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter by demonstrating that effective hydrate inhibition can be achieved at lower polymer concentrations when using the alternative solvent system, reducing the quantity of inhibitor material required
3Productivity
If poly(vinyl caprolactam) polymer is synthesized using traditional solvents, then polymerization proceeds effectively, but the resulting product has suboptimal molecular weight distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent system parameters during polymerization, using alternative solvents that provide better control over polymerization kinetics and result in improved molecular weight distribution and narrower polydispersity
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 poly(vinyl caprolactam) polymer demonstrates enhanced hydrate inhibition performance with a low-toxicity, VOC-exempt solvent system, effectively preventing hydrate formation in natural gas and liquid hydrocarbon systems, reducing the need for higher inhibitor concentrations and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
A poly(vinyl caprolactam) polymer is produced using a polymerization solvent system comprising an alkylene carbonate and/or an alkyl lactate
Implementation Method 2
kinetic hydrate inhibitor... inhibit, retard and/or prevent initial hydrocarbon hydrate crystal nucleation; and/or crystal growth
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a poly(vinyl caprolactam) polymer obtained by polymerizing a vinyl lactam compound in a polymerization solvent system comprising an alkylene carbonate and/or an alkyl lactate and a polymerization initiator. The poly(vinyl caprolactam) polymer, in admixture with the polymerization solvent system, may be used as a kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor to prevent or inhibit formation of natural gas and/or liquid hydrocarbon hydrates in a system.