The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 02, 1999
Filed:
Jun. 06, 1996
Alexandre Rojey, Rueil Malmaison, FR;
Michel Thomas, Rueil Malmaison, FR;
Anne-Sophie Delion, Paris, FR;
Jean-Pierre Durand, Chatou, FR;
Institute Francais du Petrole, Rueil Malmaison, FR;
Abstract
A process for transporting a fluid in a pipe under conditions where hydrates may form. In the process, the pipe fluid contains at least one of a gaseous hydrocarbon or liquid hydrocarbon and water and the water content is less than the liquid hydrocarbon content. The process includes the steps of 1) adding a dispersive additive in a hydrocarbon solution to the fluid to be transported, so as to form an emulsion, 2) transporting the liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in the presence of water and the hydrates, 3) separating the gas phase, the hydrocarbon liquid in excess and a liquid hydrocarbon phase comprising the hydrates and the dispersing additive, and 4) separating the liquid hydrocarbon phase comprising the hydrates and the dispersing additives. The liquid hydrocarbon phase comprising the hydrates is separated by dissociating the hydrates to form a water-in-oil emulsion, the additives being solved in the oil or liquid hydrocarbon, and breaking the water-in-oil emulsion so as to obtain an aqueous phase and a liquid hydrocarbon comprising the additives. Finally the liquid hydrocarbon phase containing at least part of the dispersing additive from step 4, is recycled to a point in the pipe.