Anti-agglomerants for controlling gas hydrates
The present invention generally relates to one or more compositions and methods for inhibiting the formation of gas hydrate agglomerates in a fluid. The fluid may be contained, for example, in an oil or gas pipeline or refinery.
1. A method for inhibiting gas hydrate agglomeration in a fluid comprising a hydrocarbon and water, the method comprising adding to the fluid an effective amount of a compound of formula 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, or 7A to inhibit gas hydrate agglomeration in the fluid, wherein the compound of Formula 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, or 7A corresponds to the following structures:
wherein
R 20 , R 21 , R 22 , R 23 , R 24 , R 25 , R 26 , R 27 , R 28 , and R 29 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, carboxyl, carboxyalkyl, alkenyl, alkenoxy; carboxyalkenyl, aryl, aryloxy, or carboxyaryl;
R 31 , R 32 , R 33 , and R 34 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, carboxyl, carboxyalkyl, alkenyl, alkenoxy; carboxyalkenyl, aryl, aryloxy, or carboxyaryl;
R 2 is optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl;
Z is —NR 3 —C(O)—, —C(O)—NR 3 —, —O—C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —S—C(O)—, —C(O) —S—, —O—C(O) —NR 3 —, —NR 3 —C(O)—O—, or —NR 3 —C(O) —NR 3 —;
R 3 is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or aryl; and
n is an integer from 0 to 25.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein
R 2 is C 10 -C 24 alkyl or alkenyl;
Z is —NR 3 —C(O) —or —C(O)—NR 3 —,
n is an integer from 0 to 12.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein Z is —C(O)—NR 3 —and R 3 is hydrogen.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein R 2 is C 10 -C 20 alkyl or alkenyl, and n is 2 or 3.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound has the structure of Formula 3A
6. The method of claim 5 wherein R 31 , R 32 , R 33 , and R 34 are hydrogen, Z is —NR 3 —C(O)— or —C(O)—NR 3 —, R 3 is hydrogen, R 2 is C 10 -C 20 alkyl or alkenyl, and n is 2 or 3.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein Z is —C(O)—NR 3 —, and n is 2.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein Z is —NR 3 —C(O)—, and n is 3.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound has the structure of Formula 4A
10. The method of claim 9 wherein R 32 , R 33 , and R 34 are hydrogen, Z is —NR 3 —C(O)—or —C(O)—NR 3 —, R 3 is hydrogen, R 2 is C 10 -C 20 alkyl or alkenyl, and n is 2 or 3.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein Z is —C(O)—NR 3 —, and n is 2.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein Z is —NR 3 —C(O)—, and n is 3.
13. A method for inhibiting gas hydrate agglomeration in a fluid comprising a hydrocarbon and water, the method comprising adding to the fluid an effective amount of a compound of formula 2A to inhibit gas hydrate agglomeration in the fluid, the compound having the structure
wherein
R 20 , R 21 , R 22 , R 23 , R 24 , R 25 , R 26 , R 27 , R 28 , and R 29 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, carboxyl, carboxyalkyl, alkenyl, alkenoxy; carboxyalkenyl, aryl, aryloxy, or carboxyaryl;
R 31 , R 32 , R 33 , and R 34 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, carboxyl, carboxyalkyl, alkenyl, alkenoxy; carboxyalkenyl, aryl, aryloxy, or carboxyaryl;
R 2 is optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl;
Z is —NR 3 —C(O)—, —C(O)—NR 3 —, —O—C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —S—C(O)—, —C(O)—S—, —O—C(O)—NR 3 —, —NR 3 —C(O)—O—, or —NR 3 —C(O)—NR 3 —;
R 3 is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or aryl; and
n is an integer from 0 to 25.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein R 20 , R 21 , R 22 , R 23 , R 24 , R 25 , R 26 , and R 27 are hydrogen, Z is —NR 3 —C(O)—or —C(O)—NR 3 —, R 2 is C 10 -C 20 alkyl or alkenyl, and n is 2 or 3.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein Z is —C(O)—NR 3 —, R 3 is hydrogen, and n is 2.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein Z is —NR 3 —C(O)—, R 3 is hydrogen, and n is 3.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein R 3 is hydrogen.