EARLY WARNING SYSTEM FOR HYDRATE OR CLATHRATE MATERIALS

摘要

A method of detecting hydrate formation includes monitoring a gas phase of interest. The gas phase is a mixture of gases comprising at least one hydrate forming gas. The monitoring includes determining the concentration of at least one component of the mixture of gases, or determining a ratio of concentration between two components of the mixture, at least one of which is the hydrate forming gas. When a change in the determined concentration or in the determined ratio of concentration is detected, relative to an earlier determination or relative to a pre-established base level concentration or base level range of concentration then formation of a hydrate is indicated. Apparatus for carrying out the method and methods for estimating the location of hydrate formation in a pipeline are also described.

主权项

1. A method of detecting clathrate formation, the method comprising:
monitoring a gas phase of interest, wherein the gas phase is a mixture of gases comprising at least one clathrate forming gas and the monitoring includes determining the concentration of at least one component of the mixture of gases; or determining a ratio of concentration between two components of the mixture, at least one of which is the said clathrate forming gas; and detecting a change in the determined concentration or in the determined ratio of concentration, relative to an earlier determination or relative to a pre-established base level concentration or base level range of concentration.