Method of inhibiting the formation of gas hydrates using amidines and guanidines

摘要

The present invention relates to methods of inhibiting the formation or agglomeration of gas hydrates using amidines or guanidines. The invention further relates to compositions comprising amidines or guanidines that find use as gas hydrate inhibitors, as well as processes for preparing alkylated amidinium or guanidinium salts.

主权项

1. A method of inhibiting the formation or agglomeration of gas hydrates in a system, said method comprising adding to the system a compound containing one or more units of formula (Ia) said compound optionally further comprising one or more units of formula (I) wherein: R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently an organic group comprising 1-20 carbon atoms and optionally one or more heteroatoms, R5 is either an organic group comprising 1-20 carbon atoms and optionally one or more heteroatoms or R5 is NR6R7 where R6 and R7 are an organic group comprising 1-20 carbon atoms and optionally one or more heteroatoms, wherein R1-R7 may optionally act as a linker either to an adjacent unit of formula (I) or (Ia) or to a polymer chain, and wherein at least two of R1-R7 denote C2-6 alkyl.