| 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 (I): (R1) (R2) (R3) (R4) A+Y-, wherein two of R¿1?-R4 are independently normal or branched alkyls having 4 or 5 carbon atoms, two of R1-R4 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 R1-R4 represents a -(CH2-CHR5-O)p-(CH2)q-(CHR6-CH2)r-(CH2-CHR7)s-(CHR8)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. |