Patent ID: 8288323

Claim:
A method of inhibiting the formation of hydrate agglomerates in a fluid comprising water, gas, and optionally liquid hydrocarbon comprising adding to the fluid an effective amount of a composition comprising the following formula and optionally salts thereof: wherein R 1 is C 4 H 9 , C 6 H 13 , C 8 H 17 , or benzyl; wherein R 2 is a C 8 H 17 , C 12 H 25 , or C 18 H 35 ; wherein R 3 is CH 3 or C 2 H 5 ; wherein R 4 is C n H 2n+1 , wherein n=0 to 22; or H wherein X âˆ’ is an anion, halogen, a carboxylate, or a sulfate and wherein X âˆ’ is only present when both R 1 and R 3 are present; and wherein Yâ•(CH 2 ) n , wherein n=1 to 8.