Patent ID: 6596911
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: C07C,C09K,C10L,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for inhibiting formation of hydrocarbon hydrates, the method comprising:providing a mixture comprising water and a hydrocarbon; and contacting a composition comprising a first amount of an onium compound and a second amount of an amine salt with the mixture under conditions effective to form the hydrocarbon hydrates in the absence of the composition, wherein:the first amount of the onium compound and the second amount of the amine salt in the composition are effective in inhibiting the formation of the hydrocarbon hydrates under the conditions; the hydrocarbon has one to five carbon atoms; and the cation moiety of the amine salt is derived from an amine selected from group consisting of amines having the general formula: RaRbRcN,â€ƒâ€ƒ(a) and mixtures thereof, and wherein Ra, Rb, Rc, and Rd are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C3 alkyls and OH substituted C1-C3 alkyls; and Re is selected from the group consisting of â€”(CH2)mâ€” and â€”(CH2)nâ€”Zâ€”(CH2)pâ€”, wherein Z is selected from O, S and CHRf; m is from 3 to 7; n is from 1 to 3; p is from 1 to 4; and Rf is selected from H, C1-C3 alkyls and OH substituted C1-C3 alkyls.