Method and composition to decrease iron sulfide deposits in pipe lines
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 composition.
2 - 24 . (canceled)
25 . 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.
26 - 43 . (canceled)
44 . A composition obtained by a process comprised of combining at least one compound of Formula (I):
with at least one amine or ammonium derivative thereof selected from the group consisting of alkylamines, dialkylamines, and the conjugate acids thereof in the presence of an aqueous solvent, wherein X is an anion of valency n.
45 . The composition of claim 44 , wherein X is selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, iodide, lower alkyl carboxylates, bisulfite, bisulfate, hydrocarbyl sulfonates, dihydrogenphosphate, nitrate, hexafluorophosphate, sulfate, sulfite, monohydrogenphosphate, and phosphate.
46 . The composition of claim 44 , wherein said compound is selected from tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate and tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium chloride.
47 . (canceled)
48 . The composition of claim 44 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of alkylamines and the conjugate acids thereof.
49 . The composition of claim 48 , wherein said alkylamine or conjugate acid thereof is selected from the group consisting of methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, isopropylamine, butylamine, tertbutylamine, and the conjugate acids thereof.
50 . The composition of claim 49 , wherein said alkylamine is methylamine.
51 . The composition of claim 44 , 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.
52 . The composition of claim 51 , wherein said molar ratio is from about 1.5:1 to about 8:1.
53 . The composition of claim 52 , wherein said molar ratio is about 2.5:1.
54 . The composition of claim 44 , wherein said solvent is water or a mixture comprising water and an alcohol.
55 . The composition of claim 54 , wherein said alcohol is methanol.
56 . The composition of claim 54 , wherein said solvent is water.
57 . The composition of claim 54 , wherein the pH of said solvent is between about 4.5 to about 10.
58 . The composition of claim 54 , wherein said pH is between about 6 to about 9.
59 . The composition of claim 58 , wherein said pH is about 8.
60 . The composition of claim 44 , wherein said compound is present in an amount between 1 to 90% by weight of said composition.
61 . The composition of claim 60 , wherein said compound is present in an amount of 5% by weight of said composition.
62 . The composition of claim 61 , wherein said compound is present in an amount of 1% by weight of said composition.
63 . The composition of claim 44 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative thereof comprises between 0.05 to 2.0% by weight of said composition.
64 . A composition comprising tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine (TRIS), at least one amine or ammonium derivative thereof selected from the group consisting of alkylamines, dialkylamines, and the conjugate acids thereof, and a solvent.
65 . (canceled)
66 . The composition of claim 64 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of alkylamines and the conjugate acids thereof.
67 . The composition of claim 66 , wherein said alkylamine or conjugate acid thereof is selected from the group consisting of methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, isopropylamine, butylamine, tertbutylamine, and the conjugate acids thereof.
68 . The composition of claim 67 , wherein said alkylamine is methylamine.
69 . The composition of claim 64 , wherein the molar ratio of TRIS to amine or ammonium derivative thereof is from about 1:1 to about 15:1.
70 . The composition of claim 69 , wherein said molar ratio is from about 1.5:1 to about 8:1.
71 . The composition of claim 70 , wherein said molar ratio is about 2.5:1.
72 . The composition of claim 64 , wherein said solvent is water or a mixture comprising water and an alcohol.
73 . The composition of claim 72 , wherein said alcohol is methanol.
74 . The composition of claim 72 , wherein said solvent is water.
75 . The composition of claim 64 , wherein TRIS is present in an amount between 1 to 90% by weight of said composition.
76 . The composition of claim 75 , wherein TRIS is present in an amount of 5% by weight of said composition.
77 . The composition of claim 76 , wherein TRIS is present in an amount of 1% by weight of said composition.
78 . The composition of claim 64 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative thereof comprises between 0.05 to 2.0% by weight of said composition.
79 . A composition obtained by a process comprised of combining at least one compound of Formula (I):
with at least one amine or ammonium derivative thereof and at least one other amine or ammonium derivative thereof in the presence of an aqueous solvent, wherein X is an anion of valency n.
80 . The composition of claim 79 , wherein X is selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, iodide, lower alkyl carboxylates, bisulfite, bisulfate, hydrocarbyl sulfonates, dihydrogenphosphate, nitrate, hexafluorophosphate, sulfate, sulfite, monohydrogenphosphate, and phosphate.
81 . The composition of claim 80 , wherein said compound is selected from tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate and tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium chloride.
82 . The composition of claim 79 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative and other amine or ammonium derivative are selected from the group consisting of ammonia, alkylamines, dialkylamines, alkylenediamines, cycloalkylamines, and the conjugate acids thereof.
83 . The composition of claim 82 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of ammonia and alkylamines.
84 . The composition of claim 83 , wherein said amine 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.
85 . The composition of claim 84 , wherein said amine is selected from the group consisting of methylamine and 1,2-diaminoethane.
86 . The composition of claim 82 , wherein said other amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of ammonia and ammonium chloride.
87 . The composition of claim 82 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of methylamine and 1,2-diaminoethane and said other amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of ammonia and ammonium chloride.
88 . The composition of claim 79 , wherein the molar ratio of phosphorus not in X to nitrogen in said amine or ammonium derivative thereof and said other amine or ammonium derivative thereof is from about 1:1 to about 15:1.
89 . The composition of claim 88 , wherein said molar ratio is from about 1.5:1 to about 8:1.
90 . The composition of claim 89 , wherein said molar ratio is about 2.5:1.
91 . The composition of claim 79 , wherein said solvent is water or a mixture comprising water and an alcohol.
92 . The composition of claim 91 , wherein said alcohol is methanol.
93 . The composition of claim 91 , wherein said solvent is water.
94 . The composition of claim 91 , wherein the pH of said solvent is between about 4.5 to about 10.
95 . The composition of claim 94 , wherein said pH is between about 6 to about 9.
96 . The composition of claim 95 , wherein said pH is about 8.
97 . The composition of claim 79 , wherein said compound is present in an amount between 1 to 90% by weight of said composition.
98 . The composition of claim 97 , wherein said compound is present in an amount of 5% by weight of said composition.
99 . The composition of claim 98 , wherein said compound is present in an amount of 1% by weight of said composition.
100 . The composition of claim 79 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative thereof and said other amine or ammonium derivative thereof comprises between 0.05 to 2.0% by weight of said composition.
101 . A composition comprising tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine (TRIS), at least one amine or ammonium derivative thereof,and at least one other amine or ammonium derivative thereof in the presence of a solvent.
102 . The composition of claim 101 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative and other amine or ammonium derivative are selected from the group consisting of ammonia, alkylamines, dialkylamines, alkylenediamines, cycloalkylamines, and the conjugate acids thereof.
103 . The composition of claim 102 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of ammonia and alkylamines.
104 . The composition of claim 103 , wherein said amine 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.
105 . The composition of claim 104 , wherein said amine is selected from the group consisting of methylamine and 1,2-diaminoethane.
106 . The composition of claim 102 , wherein said other amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of ammonia and ammonium chloride.
107 . The composition of claim 102 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of methylamine and 1,2-diaminoethane and said other amine or ammonium derivative is selected from the group consisting of ammonia and ammonium chloride.
108 . The composition of claim 101 , wherein the molar ratio of phosphorus not in X to nitrogen in said amine or ammonium derivative thereof and said other amine or ammonium derivative thereof is from about 1:1 to about 15:1.
109 . The composition of claim 108 , wherein said molar ratio is from about 1.5:1 to about 8:1.
110 . The composition of claim 109 , wherein said molar ratio is about 2.5:1.
111 . The composition of claim 101 , wherein said solvent is water or a mixture comprising water and an alcohol.
112 . The composition of claim 111 , wherein said alcohol is methanol.
113 . The composition of claim 111 , wherein said solvent is water.
114 . The composition of claim 101 , wherein TRIS is present in an amount between 1 to 90% by weight of said composition.
115 . The composition of claim 114 , wherein TRIS is present in an amount of 5% by weight of said composition.
116 . The composition of claim 115 , wherein TRIS is present in an amount of 1% by weight of said composition.
117 . The composition of claim 101 , wherein said amine or ammonium derivative thereof and said other amine or ammonium derivative thereof comprises between 0.05 to 2.0% by weight of said composition.