Controlling the formation of crystalline hydrates in fluid systems

Abstract

Controlling the formation of crystalline hydrates in various fluid systems, most notably, gas and oil transmission pipeline systems by contacting the systems with certain polymers or polymers associated with solid particles. The polymers useful are chelating polymers capable of interacting with charged gaseous molecules such as carbon dioxide, by removing the carbon dioxide, or more practically by scavenging for the carbon dioxide, to prevent the methane or ethane hydrate structures from forming since they require carbon dioxide to stabilize their structures.

1 . (canceled)  
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting essentially of 
 (i) oil and water,    (ii) gas and water,    (iii) a combination of oil and gas and water.    
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the polymer is a hyperbranched polyamino polymer.  
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the polymer is a dendritic polymer.  
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the polymer is a combination of a hyperbranched polyamino polymer and a dendritic polymer.  
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the polymer is a siliconized hyperbranched polyamino polymer.  
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the polymer is a siliconized dendritic polymer.  
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the polymer is a combination of a siliconized hyperbranched polyamino polymer and a siliconized dendritic polymer.  
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the polymer is a combination of a hyperbranched polyamino polymer and a dendritic polymer and wherein one of the polymers is siliconized.  
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the polymer has a molecular weight of at least 5000 Daltons.  
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the polymer is associated with a solid particle.  
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the association is the immobilization of the polymer on the surface of the solid particle.  
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the association is the solid particle embedded in the polymer.  
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the solid particle is silica.  
   
   
       15 . A method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the silica is filmed.  
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the silica is precipitated.  
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the silica is a silica gel.  
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the silica is dispersed.  
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the solid particle is diatomaceous earth.  
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the solid particle is sand.  
   
   
       21 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the solid particle is cellulose.  
   
   
       22 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the solid particle is polystyrene.  
   
   
       23 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the solid particle is clay.  
   
   
       24 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the solid particle is porous.  
   
   
       25 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the solid particle is nonporous.  
   
   
       26 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the solid particle is hydrophobic.  
   
   
       27 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the solid particle is hydrophilic.  
   
   
       28 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the solid particle is a nano particle.  
   
   
       29 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the solid particle is a macro particle.  
   
   
       30 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the solid particle is a micro particle.  
   
   
       31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . (canceled)  
   
   
       33 . A method of controlling the formation of crystalline hydrates in a fluid system, said method comprising contacting the fluid with a chelating polymer capable of interacting with charged gaseous molecules, said chelating polymer capable of scavenging for the gaseous molecules thereby encouraging hydrate structures to form within the embodiment of the polymer substrate structure.  
   
   
       34 . In combination, a mixture of a fluid and a chelating polymer capable of interacting with charged gaseous molecules in the fluid, said polymer capable of scavenging for the gaseous molecules thereby encouraging hydrate structures to form within the embodiment of the polymer substrate structure.  
   
   
       35 . In combination, a mixture of a fluid and a polymer capable of interacting with charged gaseous molecules in the fluid wherein the polymer is associated with a solid particle, said polymer capable of scavenging for the gaseous molecules thereby encouraging hydrate structures to form within the embodiment of the polymer substrate structure.