RU2151947C1 - Method for prevention of formation or defrosting of gas-hydrate locks - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: gas transfer, natural gas inclusive. SUBSTANCE: method includes the process of preheating of gas flow in the point of formation gashydrates by the hot flow of the double-flow vortex tube, the cold flow is fed to the pipe-line after the point of formation of the lock, prior to feeding to the pipe-line the cold flow is passed through the heat exchanger of the cooling device or the heat exchanger for preheating from the environment. EFFECT: enhanced useful utilization of the cold flow from the vortex tube for "useful operation" of the cooling devices, or enhanced temperature of the cold flow before discharge into the pipe-line. 2 cl

Description

 The invention relates to the field of transportation of gas, including natural gas.

 A known method of preventing the formation of gas hydrate plugs in a pipeline and fittings, including the process of heating the gas stream at the hydrate formation site (the pipe narrowing point, for example, a throttle or valve) with a hot stream of a two-stream vortex tube, and a cold stream is fed into the pipe after the plug occurs (SU 280385 A, 09/03/1970, F 17 D 1/05).

 The disadvantage of this method is the supply (discharge) to the pipeline of a cold stream of a vortex tube. The objective of the invention is to increase the temperature of the cold stream before discharge into the pipeline.

 The technical result of the invention is the utilization of a cold stream from a vortex tube for the "useful work" of cooling devices and heating from the environment.

 This is achieved by the fact that before being fed into the pipeline, a cold stream is passed through a heat exchanger of a cooling device or a heat exchanger for heating from the environment.

 Through the vortex tube, you can pass all or part of the stream. In the first case, the vortex tube will play the role of a throttle (narrowing of the pipeline) and the entire flow should be heated (excluding its cold part). In the second case, the used part of the stream will only partially heat the main stream.

 The same method can be used to thaw already formed hydrate plugs. To do this, the narrowing point must have special fittings for periodically connecting the heating vortex tube according to the above scheme.

 In order to increase the temperature of the cold stream before discharge into the pipeline, it is advisable to pass it through a heat exchanger for heating from the environment, for example, as it happens in gasifiers. But the cold flow from such a vortex tube can be used for the useful work of cooling devices, such as refrigerators and freezers, passing it before being fed into the pipeline through the heat exchanger of the cooling device.

 In addition, the formation of gas hydrate plugs can be prevented by performing fittings and part of the pipeline with internal channels through which the hot stream of the vortex tube is constantly passed. If gas hydrates are formed, they will not be deposited in hazardous (but heated from the inside) areas.

Claims (2)

 1. A method of preventing the formation or thawing of gas hydrate plugs in a pipeline and fittings, comprising the process of heating the gas stream at the gas hydrate formation with a hot stream of a two-stream vortex tube, wherein the cold stream is fed into the pipeline after the plug occurs, characterized in that the cold stream before being fed into the pipeline pass through a heat exchanger of the cooling device or a heat exchanger for heating from the environment.  2. The method of preventing the formation or thawing of gas hydrate plugs in the pipeline and fittings according to claim 1, characterized in that the hot stream of the two-line vortex tube is passed through internal channels made inside the protected fittings.