Method and composition to decrease iron sulfide deposits in pipe lines
View Patent ↗The levels of iron sulfide present in a conduit, such as a pipeline, are reduced by contacting the conduit, on an inner surface, with a composition obtained from an aqueous solution containing at least one compound of Formula (I) and at least one amine or corresponding ammonium derivative in the presence of a solvent, wherein X is an anion of valency n. Preferably, the pH of the solution is about 8. Alternatively, the method employs a composition comprising tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine (TRIS) and at least one amine or corresponding ammonium derivative. The amine preferably is ammonia or a primary alkylamine. The compositions readily complex and thereby dissolve deposits of iron(II) sulfide, removing them from the conduit.
1. A method of decreasing the level of iron sulfide in a conduit that has an internal surface, comprising
(a) contacting said internal surface with a first composition, obtained by a process comprised of combining at least one compound of Formula (I):
with at least one amine or ammonium derivative thereof in the presence of an aqueous solvent, wherein X is an anion of valency n, whereby a second composition is obtained; and
(b) removing from said conduit said second compositions,
whereby the level of said iron sulfide in said conduit is decreased.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said conduit is a dry gas conduit.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said conduit is a processed fluid conduit.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition is added continuously to said conduit.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition is added intermittently to said conduit.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of alkylamines and the conjugate acids thereof.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative is methylamine.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, isopropylamine, butylamine, tertbutylamine, 1,2-diaminoethane, 1,3-diaminopropane, cyclopropylamine, cyclobutylamine, cyclopentylamine, cyclohexylamine, and the conjugate acids thereof.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the molar ratio of phosphorus not in X to nitrogen in said amine or ammonium derivative thereof is from about 1:1 to about 15:1.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said molar ratio is from about 1.5:1 to about 8:1.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said molar ratio is about 2.5:1.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said solvent is water or a mixture comprising water and an alcohol.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said alcohol is methanol.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein said solvent is water.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the pH of said solvent is between about 4.5 to about 10.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said pH is between about 6 to about 9.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said pH is about 8.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein said compound is present in an amount between 1 to 90% by weight of said composition.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein said compound is present in an amount of 5% by weight of said composition.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein said compound is present in an amount of 1% by weight of said composition.
21. The method of claim 1 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative thereof is present in an amount between 0.05 to 2.0% by weight of said composition.
22. A method of decreasing the level of iron sulfide in a conduit, comprising:
(a) contacting said conduit with a composition comprising tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine (TRIS), at least one amine or ammonium derivative thereof, and a solvent whereby a second composition is obtained; and
(b) removing from said conduit said second composition,
whereby the level of said iron sulfide in said conduit is decreased.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein said conduit is a dry gas conduit.
24. The method of claim 22 , wherein said conduit is a processed fluid conduit.
25. The method of claim 22 , wherein said composition is added continuously to said conduit.
26. The method of claim 22 , wherein said composition is added intermittently to said conduit.
27. The method of claim 22 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, alkylamines, dialkylamines, alkylenediamines, cycloalkylamines, and the conjugate acids thereof.
28. The method of claim 27 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, alkylamines, and the conjugate acids thereof.
29. The method of claim 28 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, methylamine, and ammonium chloride.
30. The method of claim 28 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, isopropylamine, butylamine, tertbutylamine, 1,2-diaminoethane, 1,3-diaminopropane, cyclopropylamine, cyclobutylamine, cyclopentylamine, cyclohexylamine, and the conjugate acids thereof.
31. The method of claim 22 , wherein the molar ratio of TRIS to amine or ammonium derivative thereof is from about 1:1 to about 15:1.
32. The method of claim 31 , wherein said molar ratio is from about 1.5:1 to about 8:1.
33. The method of claim 32 , wherein said molar ratio is about 2.5:1.
34. The method of claim 22 , wherein said solvent is water or a mixture comprising water and an alcohol.
35. The method of claim 34 , wherein said alcohol is methanol.
36. The method of claim 34 , wherein said solvent is water.
37. The method of claim 34 , wherein said TRIS is present in an amount between 1 to 90% by weight of said composition.
38. The method of claim 37 , wherein TRIS is present in an amount of 5% by weight of said composition.
39. The method of claim 38 , wherein TRIS is present in an amount of 1% by weight of said composition.
40. The method of claim 22 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative thereof comprises between 0.05 to 2.0% by weight of said composition.