METHOD OF INHIBITING PLUGGING OF PIPELINES/CONDUITS BY THE ADDITION OF A GAS HYDRATES

摘要

A method is provided for inhibiting the formation of hydrates in streams containing low-boiling hydrocarbons and water. The method includes adding to the stream a component of the formula: wherein R1, R2, and R3 are independently chosen from the group consisting of normal and branched alkyls having at least 4 carbon atoms, and X is N-R4, wherein R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and organic substituents and Y- is an anion. The amount added is an amount that is effective to inhibit formation of hydrates in the mixture at conduit temperatures and pressures. The preferred R4 is an alkyl or alkenyl having from eight to twenty carbons, and the preferred R1, R2, and R3 are alkyls having four to six carbon atoms.