Multiple hydrophilic head hydrate inhibitors
Compounds comprising multiple hydrophilic heads and a lipophilic tail may be employed into fluids to inhibit agglomeration of hydrates, among other things. Suitable hydrophilic heads may include secondary, tertiary, and/or quaternary ammonium cation moieties, phosphonium cation moieties, and combinations thereof. Such LDHI compounds may provide enhanced interactivity with hydrate crystals and/or hydrate-forming molecules. These compounds may be employed in fluids in various environments, such as a conduit penetrating a subterranean formation, or a conduit carrying fluid in an industrial setting.
1. A composition comprising a compound having the structural formula:
wherein each of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen and a C 2 to C 8 hydrocarbon chain;
wherein each of X and X′ is an anion selected from the group consisting of halide, carboxylate, sulfate, organic sulfonate, hydroxide, and combinations thereof; and
wherein R comprises a hydrocarbon chain that comprises more carbon atoms than each one of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 .
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein each of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is linear C 3 H 7 and R is a C 12 to C 16 hydrocarbon chain.
3. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a solvent selected from the group consisting of: toluene, xylene, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, glycol, and combinations thereof.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein each of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is linear C 4 H 9 and R is a C 12 to C 16 hydrocarbon chain.
5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein R 1 is hydrogen, each of R 2 and R 3 is linear C 3 H 7 , and R is a C 12 to C 16 hydrocarbon chain.
6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein R is unsubstituted.
7. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising an acid selected from the group consisting of: acrylic acid, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, citric acid, and combinations thereof.
8. A fluid comprising:
(i) water,
(ii) one of gas, liquid hydrocarbon, and combinations thereof, and
(iii) a hydrate inhibitor additive comprising a compound having the structural formula:
wherein each of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen and a C 2 to C 8 hydrocarbon chain;
wherein each of X and X′ is an anion selected from the group consisting of halide, carboxylate, sulfate, organic sulfonate, hydroxide, and combinations thereof; and
wherein R comprises a hydrocarbon chain that comprises more carbon atoms than each one of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 .
9. The fluid of claim 8 , wherein each of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is linear C 3 H 7 and R is a C 12 to C 16 hydrocarbon chain.
10. The fluid of claim 8 , wherein R is unsubstituted.
11. The fluid of claim 8 , wherein each of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is linear C 4 H 9 and R is a C 12 to C 16 hydrocarbon chain.
12. The fluid of claim 8 , wherein R 1 is hydrogen, each of R 2 and R 3 is linear C 3 H 7 , and R is a C 12 to C 16 hydrocarbon chain.
13. The fluid of claim 8 , wherein the fluid has a water cut of 50% or more.
14. The fluid of claim 8 , wherein the fluid has a water cut of between about 30% and about 60%.
15. The fluid of claim 8 , further comprising a solvent selected from the group consisting of: toluene, xylene, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, glycol, and combinations thereof.
16. The fluid of claim 8 , further comprising an acid selected from the group consisting of: acrylic acid, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, citric acid, and combinations thereof.
17. The fluid of claim 8 , wherein the compound is present in the fluid in an amount equal to about 0.1 to about 3.0% volume based on the water cut of the fluid.