Abstract: Novel maleimide copolymers have at least two monomeric units, a maleimide unit and a vinyl unit having a pendant group, the pendant group having two to twenty-one carbon atoms, at least one nitrogen atom and at least one oxygen atom. The copolymer has an average molecular weight between about 1,000 and about 6,000,000. Preferred maleimide copolymers include acrylamide/maleimide copolymers, N-vinyl amide/maleimide copolymers, vinyl lactam/maleimide copolymers, alkenyl cyclic imino ether/maleimide copolymers, and acryloylamide/maleimide copolymers. The substantially water soluble maleimide copolymers are useful for inhibiting the formation of clathrate hydrates in a fluid having hydrate-forming constituents by reducing the rate of nucleation, growth, and/or agglomeration of gas hydrate crystals in a petroleum fluid stream, thereby inhibiting the formation of a hydrate blockage in the pipe conveying the petroleum fluid stream.

Abstract: A composition for preventing or retarding the formation of gas hydrates or for reducing the tendency of gas hydrates to agglomerate, during the transport of a fluid comprising water and a hydrocarbon, through a conduit, comprising, (a) a polymer or copolymer selected from a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl caprolactam and an ammonium derivative monomer having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, selected from the group consisting of dialkyl aminoalkyl methacrylamide, dialkyl dialkenyl ammonium halide and a dialkylamino alkyl acrylate or methacrylate, a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl caprolactam, and a homopolymer of vinyl caprolactam, and (b) a low molecular weight glycol ether containing an alkoxy group having at least 3 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of decomposing gas hydrates in subsea or subterranean wells, the equipment associated with the wells and in subterranean reservoirs containing gas hydrates. The methods basically comprise the steps of combining an acidic liquid with a basic liquid which chemically react exothermically to form a hot salt solution, contacting the gas hydrates with the hot salt solution to decompose at least a portion of the gas hydrates whereby natural gas and water are released therefrom and recovering the released natural gas, water and salt solution.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the selective removal of CO.sub.2 from a multicomponent gaseous stream to provide a CO.sub.2 depleted gaseous stream having at least a reduction in the concentration of CO.sub.2 relative to the untreated multicomponent gaseous stream. In the subject methods, the multicomponent gaseous stream is contacted with CO.sub.2 nucleated water under conditions of selective CO.sub.2 clathrate formation, where the CO.sub.2 nucleated water serves as liquid solvent. The subject methods find use in a variety of applications where it is desired to selectively remove CO.sub.2 from a multicomponent gaseous stream, including chemical feedstock processing applications and air emissions control applications.

Abstract: A process for separating components of gas mixtures which have different hydrate forming characteristics which uses an aqueous liquid to absorb one of the gases preferentially by attaining conditions slightly above the catastrophic point at which gas hydrates form. Specifically, the separation of gas mixtures containing light hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide is accomplished without significantly reducing the pressure of the carbon dioxide or without requiring significant amounts of heat energy for regeneration.

Abstract: The plugging of conduits containing a mixture of low-boiling hydrocarbons and water in inhibited by adding to the mixture an effective amount of at least one alkylated compound of the general formula formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each are independently chosen from normal or branched alkyls containing a chain of at least 4 carbon atoms,R.sub.5 is an organic moiety containing a chain of at least 4 atoms,X is S, N--R.sub.4 or P--R.sub.4,R.sub.4 is H or an organic substituent, suitably an alkyl or alkenyl group having from 8 to 20 carbon atoms, andY-- is an anion.

Abstract: Discussed is a process for preventing clathrate hydrate masses from detrimentally impeding the possible flow of a fluid susceptible to clathrate hydrate formation. The process is particularly useful in the natural gas and petroleum production, transportation and processing industry where gas hydrate formation can cause serious problems. Additives preferably contain one or more five member, six member and/or seven member cyclic chemical groupings. Additives include polymers having lactam rings. Additives can also contain polyelectrolytes that are believed to improve conformance of polymer additives through steric hinderance and/or charge repulsion. Also, polymers having an amide on which a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 group is attached to the nitrogen and/or the carbonyl carbon of the amide may be used alone, or in combination with ring-containing polymers for enhanced effectiveness.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation of clathrate hydrates in a fluid having hydrate forming constituents is disclosed. More specifically, the method can be used in treating a petroleum fluid stream such as natural gas conveyed in a pipe to inhibit the formation of a hydrate restriction in the pipe. The hydrate inhibitors used for practicing the method are substantially water soluble polymers formed from a N-substituted acrylamide having two nitrogen substituent groups, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, where R.sub.1 is a hydrocarbon group having from one to ten carbon atoms and zero to four heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and combinations thereof, and R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having from one to ten carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; alternatively, R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation of clathrate hydrates in a fluid having hydrate forming constituents is disclosed. More specifically, the method can be used in treating a petroleum fluid stream such as natural gas conveyed in a pipe to inhibit the formation of a hydrate restriction in the pipe. The hydrate inhibitors used for practicing the method are substantially water soluble polymers formed from a cyclic imino ether. Such polymers may be ring closed cyclic imino ether ("CIE") polymers, ring opened CIE polymers, or combinations thereof. Some examples of ring opened CIE polymers include various N-acyl polyalkyleneimines produced by cationic polymerization, such as N-acyl substituted polyethyleneimine, N-acyl substituted polypropyleneimine, N-acyl substituted polybutyleneimine, N-acyl substituted polypentyleneimine and copolymers thereof.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising (i) a plurality of electrical conductors, each surrounded by one or more layers of a composition comprising (a) one or more polyolefins and, blended therewith, (b) a mixture containing one or more alkylhydroxyphenylalkanoyl hydrazines and one or more functionalized hindered amines; and (ii) hydrocarbon cable filler grease within the interstices between said surrounded conductors.

Abstract: Method for the production of gas hydrates for storage and transportation of hydrate forming gases. The gas is pressurized and cooled, whereupon the gas (1b) is supplied to a vessel (6), to which water (7) is added simultaneously to the vessel (6) to form fine water droplets that are dispersed in the gas (1b) supplied. The temperature and pressure in the vessel (6) are adjusted to produce hydrate from water and gas. The gas (1b) supplied and the water droplets (7) react to form hydrate (8a); then the hydrate is then withdrawn from the reactor (6), optionally cooled in a cooling apparatus (11), and then passed to an agglomeration step (12) to agglomerate the hydrate (8a), thus increasing the density of the hydrate (8a) and to embed more gas in the interstices between the hydrate particles (8a).

Abstract: The present invention deals with separating well fluids produced from a gas condensate reservoir into a condensate phase and a gas phase. The invention provides combining two stage separation, a stabilizer column and gas processing systems to achieve increased liquid yield and dry gas for take off (export) with much lower energy costs and capital costs. First stage separation pressure is maintained between 600 psi and 1500 psi. Second stage separation pressure is maintained at a higher pressure than that required to achieve the liquid vapor pressure specification, usually between 400 psig and 600 psig. The stabilizing column produces a stabilized liquid (preferably having a vapor pressure about 8.2 psia at 80.degree. F.) by operating the column bottom at approximately 240.degree. F./50 psig.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation of clathrate hydrates in a fluid having hydrate forming constituents is disclosed. More specifically, the method can be used in treating a petroleum fluid stream such as natural gas conveyed in a pipe to inhibit the formation of a hydrate restriction in the pipe. The hydrate inhibitors used for practicing the method are substantially water soluble polymers formed from a cyclic imino ether. Some examples of such inhibitors include various N-acyl polyalkyleneimines, such as N-acyl substituted polyethyleneimine, N-acyl substituted polypropyleneimine, N-acyl substituted polybutyleneimine, N-acyl substituted polypentyleneimine and copolymers thereof. Also, such N-acyl substituted polyalkyleneimines can be used in various ratios with other substantially water soluble polymers and copolymers. Preferably, a solvent such as water, brine, alcohol, or mixtures thereof is used to produce an inhibitor solution or mixture to facilitate treatment of the petroleum fluid stream.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating, transporting and dissociating gas hydrates are disclosed. The preferred apparatus includes a mobile tank initially containing liquid water. Compressed hydrate-forming gas is combined in a pipe with the liquid water under locally supercooled conditions. The formed gas hydrate is blown into the mobile tank for transport and eventual consumption.

Abstract: A method is provided for inhibiting the formation of hydrates in streams containing low-boiling hydrocarbons and water. The method includes adding to the stream a component of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are independently chosen from the group consisting of normal and branched alkyls having at least 4 carbon atoms,and X is N--R.sub.4, wherein R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and organic substituents andY.sup.- is an anion. The amount added is an amount that is effective to inhibit formation of hydrates in the mixture at conduit temperatures and pressures. The preferred R.sub.4 is an alkyl or alkenyl having from eight to twenty carbons, and the preferred R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are alkyls having four to six carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for reducing the agglomeration tendency of hydrates within a fluid containing water and gas by adding a nonionic, amphiphilic compound obtained by reacting at least one polyalkenylsuccinic anhydride or acid with a polyethylene glycol monoether. The nonionic, amphiphilic compound is generally introduced in a concentration of 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the water present.

Abstract: Discussed is a process for preventing clathrate hydrate masses from impeding the flow of fluid in a fluid system. An additive is contacted with clathrate hydrate masses in the system to prevent those clathrate hydrate masses from impeding fluid flow. The process is particularly useful in the natural gas and petroleum production, transportation and processing industry where gas hydrate formation can cause serious problems. Additives preferably contain one or more five member, six member and/or seven member cyclic chemical groupings. Additives include poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) and hydroxyethylcellulose, either in combination or alone. Additives can also contain multiple cyclic chemical groupings having different size rings. One such additive is sold under the name Gaffix VC-713.

Abstract: A description is given of a process for reducing the agglomeration tendency of hydrates within a fluid incorporating at least water and hydrocarbons, liable to form hydrates, under conditions where said hydrates may form, characterized in that into said fluid is incorporated an alkylene oxide-based hydrosoluble polymer or copolymer containing at least one --(OR)--.sub.n sequence, in which R represents a hydrocarbon group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms and n represents the average degree of polymerization of said sequence, at least one of the --(OR)--.sub.n sequences being an ethylene polyoxide sequence, associated with a thermodynamic inhibitor of the formation of hydrates, e.g. an alcohol or a glycol. This process is particularly appropriate for the case where the fluid to be treated contains a high proportion of water, e.g. more than 30% by weight. The presence of salts in the water can at least partly dispense with the addition of alcohols or glycols.

Abstract: Discussed is a process for preventing clathrate hydrate masses from impeding the flow of fluid in a fluid system. An additive is contacted with clathrate hydrate masses in the system to prevent those clathrate hydrate masses from impeding fluid flow. The process is particularly useful in the natural gas and petroleum production, transportation and processing industry where gas hydrate formation can cause serious problems. Additives preferably contain one or more five member and/or six member cyclic chemical groupings. Additives include poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) and hydroxyethylcellulose, either in combination or alone.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting or retarding gas hydrate formation comprises adding a solution of a compound of formula: ##STR1## wherein R=OH, OCH.sub.3, OC.sub.2 H.sub.5, NHNH.sub.2 or HR'=NH.sub.2 or NH.sub.3.sup.+X,Y,Z=H or OH, andn=a number in the range 0 to 6,or a polymer thereof when R'=NH.sub.2, the compound or polymer thereof being added in an amount effective to inhibit or retard hydrate formation, to a medium susceptible to gas hydrate formation, e.g. fluids produced from an oil well, particularly an offshore oil well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of hydrocarbon-rich gels as a safe storage or transportation form for liquid hydrocarbons and to a process for the safe storage and safe transportion of liquid hydrocarbons, characterised in thata) the hydrocarbon is converted into a hydrocarbon-rich gel by addition of a surfactant and water andb) after storage or transportation has taken place, the hydrocarbon-rich gel is broken down again.

Abstract: A process for delaying the formation and/or reducing the agglomeration tendency of hydrates in conditions under which a hydrate may be formed, these hydrates being formed from water and gas.The process according to the invention wherein, in particular, an additive comprising at least one amphiphilic compound chosen from the group of esters of polyols and substituted or unsubstituted carboxylic acids is used.Application of the process according to the invention to processes using gases and water, which form hydrates between them, in particular in the petroleum or gas industry.

Abstract: An azeotropic distillation method for separating diamondoids from a near-boiling solvent. The method is particularly useful for recovering diamondoids extracted from a produced natural gas stream via hydrocarbon solvent injection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for extracting water mixed with a liquid fluid. The process is characterized in particular by carrying out the following steps:forming a dispersion of hydrates of a gas within the fluid, these hydrates being formed from water and gas in a sufficient quantity, the gas being suitable for forming hydrates;separating the hydrates from at least most of the fluid, the hydrates possibly being with a remaining part of the fluid, andbreaking down the hydrates previously concentrated in order to obtain gas and water.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for delaying the formation and/or reducing the agglomeration tendency of hydrates in conditions under which a hydrate may be formed, these hydrates being formed from water and gas. The process according to the invention wherein, in particular, an additive comprising at least one compound from the group of hydroxycarbylamides of substituted carboxylic acids is used. Application of the process according to the invention to processes using gases and water, which form hydrates between them, in particular in the petroleum or gas industry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compound cable, such as an aluminum cable, an aluminum alloy cable, aluminum cable steel reinforced or an aluminum alloy cable steel reinforced with reduced audible noise for use in a high voltage transmission line.The surface of each of the aluminum wires to constitute the outermost layer of the cable is treated in water or aqueous vapor of more than 90.degree. C. so as to form a hydrophilic hydrated film on said surface, or more than 3 grooves are provided on the outer periphery of each of the aluminum wires in excess of 30% of such wires to constitute the outermost layer of the cable, a hydrated film being caused to form on the surface including the grooves thereof, so that the raindrops adhering to the surface may readily disappear due to the improved hydrophilic property and draining property of the surface of the cable thereby preventing the development of the corona discharge.

Abstract: The apparatus for storing a frozen hydrate includes a reservoir which is filled with frozen granulated hydrate. Heat for decomposing the hydrate is obtained from water contained in a water tank. In one embodiment, the process is carried out in such a way that one chamber of a reservoir may be charged while another chamber is being evacuated by the decomposition of the frozen hydrate into gas and ice.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining purified water from wet sludges and slurries of solid materials by treating these materials with a clathrate forming agent at a temperature above the freezing point of water to form a solid clathrate and dewatered solid material. The clathrate and solid material are then separated and the clathrate decomposed to give purified water and clathrate forming agent.

Abstract: Novel, composited silica catalyst supports suitable for commercial utilization, which may typically have an average pore diameter in the range of about 100 to about 5000 Angstroms, an advantageously high surface area in the range of about 30 to about 125 square meters per gram and a bulk density in the range of about 0.3 to about 0.6 gram per cubic centimeter, are made by mixing amorphous silica powder having an average particle size in the range of about 10 to about 50 millimicrons with a medium suitable for binding the silica powder. The mixture of silica powder and binder is formed into suitable, macrosized catalyst support shapes by press molding, extrusion, tableting and like forming means. The shaped mixture of silica powder and binder is calcined to form the novel silica catalyst supports.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compound cable, such as an aluminum cable, an aluminum alloy cable, aluminum cable steel reinforced or an aluminum alloy cable steel reinforced with reduced audible noise for use in a high voltage transmission line.The surface of each of the aluminum wires to constitute the outermost layer of the cable is treated in water or aqueous vapor of more than 90.degree. C. so as to form a hydrophilic hydrated film on said surface, or more than 3 grooves are provided on the outer periphery of each of the aluminum wires in excess of 30% of such wires to constitute the outermost layer of the cable, a hydrated film being caused to form on the surface including the grooves thereof, so that the raindrops adhering to the surface may readily disappear due to the improved hydrophilic property and draining property of the surface of the cable thereby preventing the development of the corona discharge.