| abstract |
Copolymers, desirably having a molecular weight of from 500 to 20000, of aminoesters or aminoamides of (meth)acrylic acid and (meth)acrylamides at a molar ratio of from 10:1 to 60:1, particularly from 12:1 to 50:1 and especially about 20:1, can act as gas hydrate inhibitors in water containing hydrocarbon gas streams. Desirably the aminoesters or aminoamides are N-alkyl-amino(esters or amides) in particular of the formula (I): H 2 C═CR 1 C(O)XR 2 NR 3 R 4 (I) where R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 and X have defined meanings and the (meth)acrylamides are of the formula (II): H 2 C═CR 6 C(O)NR 7 R 8 (II) where R 6 , R 7 and R 8 have defined meanings. Methods of treating gas water mixtures using the copolymers to inhibit gas hydrate formation are described. |