A method is provided for detecting and quantifying obstructions in a gas network under pressure or vacuum. The gas network may be provided with a sensor(s) capable of recording the status of a source(s), consumers, or consumer areas. The method includes: a possible start-up phase; a baseline or zero phase; and an operational phase. The operational phase includes: reading out the first group and second group of sensors; re-estimating, determining or calculating the physical model or mathematical relationship on the basis of the read measurements from the sensors; determining or calculating of the existence of an obstruction in the system based on the difference and/or its derivatives between the parameters of the physical model or mathematical relationship as determined during the baseline or zero phase and the operational phase; generating an alarm and/or generating a degree of obstruction and/or generating the corresponding obstruction if an obstruction is detected.

A method is provided for detecting and quantifying obstructions in a gas network under pressure or vacuum. The gas network may be provided with a sensor(s) capable of recording the status of a source(s), consumers, or consumer areas. The method includes: a possible start-up phase; a baseline or zero phase; and an operational phase. The operational phase includes: reading out the first group and second group of sensors; re-estimating, determining or calculating the physical model or mathematical relationship on the basis of the read measurements from the sensors; determining or calculating of the existence of an obstruction in the system based on the difference and/or its derivatives between the parameters of the physical model or mathematical relationship as determined during the baseline or zero phase and the operational phase; generating an alarm and/or generating a degree of obstruction and/or generating the corresponding obstruction if an obstruction is detected.

An assembly for adjusting gas flow patterns and gas-plasma interactions including a toroidal plasma chamber. The toroidal plasma chamber has an injection member, an output member, a first side member and a second side member that are all connected. The first side member has a first inner cross-sectional area in at least a portion of the first side member and a second inner cross-sectional area in at least another portion of the first side member, where the first inner cross-sectional area and the second inner-cross-sectional area being different. The second side member has a third inner cross-sectional area in at least a portion of the second side member and a fourth inner cross-sectional area in at least another portion of the second side member, where the third inner cross-sectional area and the fourth inner-cross-sectional area being different.

An assembly for adjusting gas flow patterns and gas-plasma interactions including a toroidal plasma chamber. The toroidal plasma chamber has an injection member, an output member, a first side member and a second side member that are all connected. The first side member has a first inner cross-sectional area in at least a portion of the first side member and a second inner cross-sectional area in at least another portion of the first side member, where the first inner cross-sectional area and the second inner-cross-sectional area being different. The second side member has a third inner cross-sectional area in at least a portion of the second side member and a fourth inner cross-sectional area in at least another portion of the second side member, where the third inner cross-sectional area and the fourth inner-cross-sectional area being different.

A system and method for accessing a gas main is provided. The system including a drip riser having an interior portion and a first quick-connect coupler, the first quick-connect coupler being fluidly coupled to the interior portion. A riser attachment device is provided having a second quick-connect coupler, an open end, and a valve disposed between the second quick-connect coupler and the open end. The second quick-connect coupler is configured to removably couple with the first quick-connect coupler. The first quick-connect coupler and second quick-connect coupler cooperate to fluidly couple the open end to the interior portion when the riser attachment device is coupled to the drip riser and the valve is opened.

Disclosed is a station (100) for expanding a flow of gas having, at the inlet, a temperature T.sub.a and a pressure P.sub.a, that comprises: an expansion valve (105) for recovering mechanical expansion energy configured to reduce the pressure of the gas flow to a pressure P.sub.b and to a temperature T.sub.b such that P.sub.b<P.sub.a and T.sub.b<T.sub.a; a compressor (110) for compressing a flow of fluid having, at the inlet, a temperature T.sub.c and a pressure P.sub.c; the expansion valve and the compressor are linked mechanically such that the movement of the expansion valve when the gas expands causes the compressor to be actuated such that the fluid is compressed to a pressure P.sub.d and a temperature T.sub.d such that P.sub.d>P.sub.c and T.sub.d>T.sub.c; and a heat exchanger (115) for exchanging heat between the gas flow at the outlet or inlet of the expansion valve and the fluid flow at the outlet or inlet of the compressor in order to heat the gas and cool the fluid.

Disclosed is a station (100) for expanding a flow of gas having, at the inlet, a temperature T.sub.a and a pressure P.sub.a, that comprises: an expansion valve (105) for recovering mechanical expansion energy configured to reduce the pressure of the gas flow to a pressure P.sub.b and to a temperature T.sub.b such that P.sub.b<P.sub.a and T.sub.b<T.sub.a; a compressor (110) for compressing a flow of fluid having, at the inlet, a temperature T.sub.c and a pressure P.sub.c; the expansion valve and the compressor are linked mechanically such that the movement of the expansion valve when the gas expands causes the compressor to be actuated such that the fluid is compressed to a pressure P.sub.d and a temperature T.sub.d such that P.sub.d>P.sub.c and T.sub.d>T.sub.c; and a heat exchanger (115) for exchanging heat between the gas flow at the outlet or inlet of the expansion valve and the fluid flow at the outlet or inlet of the compressor in order to heat the gas and cool the fluid.

The present invention generally relates to methods and hydrate inhibitor compositions for inhibiting the formation of hydrates in a fluid comprising gas and water. More specifically, the method comprises contacting a hydrate inhibitor composition to a fluid. The hydrate inhibitor composition comprises a nonpolar solvent; a polar solvent; and a polymer, an oligomer, a dendrimer, or an acid or salt thereof.

The present invention generally relates to methods and hydrate inhibitor compositions for inhibiting the formation of hydrates in a fluid comprising gas and water. More specifically, the method comprises contacting a hydrate inhibitor composition to a fluid. The hydrate inhibitor composition comprises a nonpolar solvent; a polar solvent; and a polymer, an oligomer, a dendrimer, or an acid or salt thereof.

The present invention generally relates to methods and hydrate inhibitor compositions for inhibiting the formation of hydrates in a fluid comprising gas and water. More specifically, the method comprises contacting a hydrate inhibitor composition to a fluid. The hydrate inhibitor composition comprises a nonpolar solvent; a polar solvent; and a polymer, an oligomer, a dendrimer, or an acid or salt thereof.