| abstract |
A method is disclosed for inhibiting the plugging of a conduit for the transport of hydrocarbon fluids by gas hydrates, wherein use is made of a hydrate formation inhibitor component of formula n n (R.sub.1) (R.sub.2) (R.sub.3) (R.sub.4)A.sup.+ Y.sup.- (I) n n wherein two of R 1 -R 4 are independently normal or branched alkyls having 4 or 5 carbon atoms, two of R 1 -R 4 are independently representing organic moieties having at least 8 carbon atoms, A represents a nitrogen or a phosphorus atom, Y represents an anion and wherein at least one of R 1 -R 4 represents a --(CH 2 --CHR 5 --O) p --(CH 2 ) q --(CHR 6 --CH 2 ) r --(CH 2 --CHR 7 ) s --(CHR 8 ) t --O--C(O)--R 9 moiety with the meaning as defined in the description. Compositions containing a hydrate formation inhibitor component according to formula I and a hydrocarbon having from one to eight hydrocarbons as well as the hydrate formation inhibitor components, such as the di-esters of di-butyl-di-isopropanol (or -di-isobutanol) ammonium bromide and coconut fatty acid are believed to be novel. |