CPC B08B 9/032 (2013.01) [F16L 58/00 (2013.01); F17C 5/06 (2013.01); F17C 2221/033 (2013.01); F17C 2223/0161 (2013.01); F17C 2227/0325 (2013.01); F17C 2265/015 (2013.01)] | 25 Claims |
1. A system to prevent the formation of hydrates in a pipeline; the system comprising:
a heater assembly comprising:
a vortex tube mounted on an outer surface of a first section of the pipeline, wherein the vortex tube is configured to separate gas from an inlet into a hot gas pathway and a cold gas pathway; wherein the vortex tube comprises:
the inlet,
a cold gas outlet, wherein the cold gas outlet is configured to vent cold gas from the cold gas pathway to the environment, and
a hot gas outlet, wherein the hot gas outlet of the vortex tube is fluidly connected to an opening defined in the first section of the pipeline, wherein the hot gas outlet is configured to flow hot gas from the vortex tube into an interior volume of the pipeline; and
a compressed gas source fluidly connected to the inlet of the vortex tube.
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