Patent ID: 6774276
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: B08B,C10G,E21B,F17D,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for transporting a flow of fluid hydrocarbons containing water through a treatment and transportation system including a pipeline, the method comprising:introducing the flow of fluid hydrocarbons into a reactor, wherein the flow of fluid hydrocarbons contains water; introducing a cold fluid flow of hydrocarbons, containing particles of gas hydrates acting as a hydrophilic agent, into the reactor where it is mixed with the flow of fluid hydrocarbons containing water; cooling an effluent flow of hydrocarbons from the reactor in a heat exchanger to ensure that free water present therein attains the form of gas hydrates; treating the cooled effluent flow in a separator to separate the flow into a first flow and a second flow, wherein the first flow has a content of gas hydrate; recycling the first flow to the reactor to provide the particles of gas hydrate; and conveying the second flow to a pipeline to be transported to a destination.