METHOD FOR INHIBITING HYDRATE FORMATION

摘要

A method for inhibiting the formation of clathrate hydrates in a fluid having hydrate-forming constituents involves treating the fluid with an inhibitor comprising a substantially water soluble polymer or copolymer selected from the group consisting of the following N,Ndiallylamides: <IMG> where R is a branched, normal or cyclic hydrocarbon group having one to ten carbon atoms, and x is an average number of monomeric units for producing an average molecular weight for the polymer between about 1,000 and about 6,000,000. The rate of nucleation, growth, and/or agglomeration of gas hydrate crystals in a petroleum fluid stream is reduced using the N,N-diallylamide inhibitor, thereby inhibiting the formation of a hydrate blockage in the pipe conveying the petroleum fluid stream. The inhibitor can be used conveniently at low concentrations, for example in the range of from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of the water present in the oil or gas stream, to effectively treat a petroleum fluid having a water phase.