Patent ID: 8334141
Filing Date: 2012-12-18
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A test apparatus for formation of hydrates comprising: a length of hollow pipe forming a loop having an interior surface; at least one opening in the loop; a cooler for cooling a fluid in the loop; a pressurizer for pressurizing the fluid in the loop; at least one pig within the loop, where the pig is selected from the group of shapes consisting of spheres, eggs, spheres with surface features, eggs with surface features, and combinations thereof, where the surface features are selected from the group consisting of indentations, bumps, passageways, and combinations thereof, where the pig has an exterior surface; and at least one impeller adjacent the loop configured to remotely impel the at least one pig to circulate the fluid in the loop, where a surface is smooth, the surface being selected from the group consisting of the interior surface of the loop, the exterior surface of the pig, and both so there is an absence of scraping between the pig and the interior surface when the pig is circulated through the loop.