Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating aqueous fluid and apparatus therefor. The method comprises adding an organic compound to a mass of aqueous fluid comprising at least one Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitor (KHI). The organic compound comprises a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head. The hydrophobic tail comprises at least one C—H bond and the hydrophilic head comprises at least one of: a hydroxyl (—OH) group; and a carboxyl (—COOH) group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating aqueous fluid and apparatus therefor. The method comprises adding an organic compound to a mass of aqueous fluid comprising at least one Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitor (KHI). The organic compound comprises a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head. The hydrophobic tail comprises at least one C—H bond and the hydrophilic head comprises at least one of: a hydroxyl (—OH) group; and a carboxyl (—COOH) group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating aqueous fluid and apparatus therefor. The method comprises adding an organic compound to a mass of aqueous fluid comprising at least one Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitor (KHI). The organic compound comprises a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head. The hydrophobic tail comprises at least one C—H bond and the hydrophilic head comprises a carboxyl (—COOH) group.

Abstract: A method of detecting hydrate formation includes monitoring a gas phase of interest. The gas phase is a mixture of gases comprising at least one hydrate forming gas. The monitoring includes determining the concentration of at least one component of the mixture of gases, or determining a ratio of concentration between two components of the mixture, at least one of which is the hydrate forming gas. When a change in the determined concentration or in the determined ratio of concentration is detected, relative to an earlier determination or relative to a pre-established base level concentration or base level range of concentration then formation of a hydrate is indicated. Apparatus for carrying out the method and methods for estimating the location of hydrate formation in a pipeline are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating aqueous fluid and apparatus therefor. The method comprises adding an organic compound to a mass of aqueous fluid comprising at least one Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitor (KHI). The organic compound comprises a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head. The hydrophobic tail comprises at least one C—H bond and the hydrophilic head comprises at least one of: a hydroxyl (—OH) group; and a carboxyl (—COOH) group.

Abstract: A method of detecting hydrate formation includes monitoring a gas phase of interest. The gas phase is a mixture of gases comprising at least one hydrate forming gas. The monitoring includes determining the concentration of at least one component of the mixture of gases, or determining a ratio of concentration between two components of the mixture, at least one of which is the hydrate forming gas. When a change in the determined concentration or in the determined ratio of concentration is detected, relative to an earlier determination or relative to a pre-established base level concentration or base level range of concentration then formation of a hydrate is indicated. Apparatus for carrying out the method and methods for estimating the location of hydrate formation in a pipeline are also described.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a fluid containing one or more analytes of interest includes; measuring a plurality of properties of a sample fluid with unknown concentrations of the one or more analytes of interest; and using the measurements and a model of the relationship between the plurality of properties and concentrations of the one or more analytes to calculate the concentration of at least one of the analytes of interest. The model may be an artificial neural network. The method may be used to monitor the concentration of inhibitors of gas hydrate formation in a fluid. Apparatus for use in the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for analysing a fluid containing one or more analytes of interest includes; measuring a plurality of properties of a sample fluid with unknown concentrations of the one or more analytes of interest; and using the measurements and a model of the relationship between the plurality of properties and concentrations of the one or more analytes to calculate the concentration of at least one of the analytes of interest. The model may be an artificial neural network. The method may be used to monitor the concentration of inhibitors of gas hydrate formation in a fluid. Apparatus for use in the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for transporting a fluid comprising a clathrate forming gas through a transportation system including a pipeline. The method involves subjecting the fluid to clathrate forming temperature and pressure conditions and introducing sufficient of a clathrate forming host to convert substantially all of the gas to clathrate and to form a flowable slurry. The flowable slurry is then conveyed through a pipeline to a destination. An alternative method involves transporting the fluid by means of a ring pipeline containing a carrier fluid, which includes clathrate inhibitors. Also provided is a heat pump whose working fluid is a clathrate forming composition.

Abstract: The invention provides semi-clathrate hydrate compositions formed from water, a semi-clathrate hydrate forming compound and a gas. The semi-clathrate hydrate forming compounds can be ammonium salts, sulphonium salts, phosphonium salts or amines. The semi-clathrate hydrate compositions can be used to store gases including hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. Methods of manufacture of the compositions and their uses in energy storage and generation, and for the separation of gases are also described.

Abstract: A method for detecting particles in a fluid involves passing any ultrasonic signal through the fluid. A Fast Fourier Transform analysis is performed on the received signal, to determine a characteristic frequency of the fluid where the amplitude is greatest. Both the amplitude of FFT spectrum at the characteristic frequency and the time-domain amplitude are monitored. A drop either in the amplitude of the FFT spectrum at the characteristic frequency or the time-domain amplitude indicates the appearance of particles in the fluid.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a hydrate history in a fluid involves obtaining a sample of the fluid. The sample is then cooled to determine the amount of cooling required in order to induce hydrate formation. The result is then compared to the amount of cooling required to induce hydrate formation in a sample, which has been heat treated to remove any hydrate history present, before cooling. Also provided are methods for prevention or control of hydrate formation of a fluid in a system. The degree of inhibition of hydrate formation in the fluid is monitored and then the system conditions or fluid composition are adjusted as required. Methods for carrying out monitoring of a fluid liable to form hydrates are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting the formation and dissociation of gas hydrates in a fluid. The apparatus used comprises a piezoelectric crystal sensor and a signal analyzer. The crystal sensor has a deposition surface in contact with the fluid. Under a range of pressures and or temperatures the resonant frequency or an electrical parameter dependent on the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric sensor is measured. There is a step change in the resonant frequency which occurs upon the formation or dissociation of a clathrate hydrate on the deposition surface, so that the formation or dissociation of said clathrate hydrate may be detected.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting the dew point or bubble point phase transition in fluid. The apparatus used comprises a piezoelectric crystal sensor and a signal analyser. The phase transition of the fluid is measured by monitoring, directly or indirectly, change in the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric crystal sensor while said one of the temperature and pressure is varied, so as to detect a substantial change in said resonant frequency and/or in the rate of change in resonant frequency with change in the varying one of the temperature and pressure.