A Selection Flowchart for Micromodel Experiments Based on Computational Fluid Dynamic Simulations of Surfactant Flooding in Enhanced Oil Recovery

Abstract

A selection flowchart that assists, through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, the design of microfluidic experiments used to distinguish the performance in Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery (CEOR) of two surfactants with very similar values of interfacial tension (IFT) was proposed and its use demonstrated. The selection flowchart first proposes an experimental design for certain modified variables (: porosity, grain shape, the presence of preferential flowing channels, and injection velocity). Experiments are then performed through CFD simulations to obtain a set of response variables (: recovery factor, breakthrough time, the fractal dimension of flow pattern, pressure drop, and entrapment effect). A sensitivity analysis of regarding the differences in the interfacial tension (IFT) can indicate the CFD experiments that could have more success when distinguishing between two surfactants with similar IFTs (0.037 mN/m and 0.045 mN/m). In the range of modifiable variables evaluated in this study (porosity values of 0.5 and 0.7, circular and irregular grain shape, with and without preferential flowing channel, injection velocities of 10 ft/day and 30 ft/day), the entrapment effect is the response variable that is most affected by changes in IFT. The response of the recovery factor and the breakthrough time was also significant, while the fractal dimension of the flow and the pressure drop had the lowest sensitivity to different IFTs. The experimental conditions that rendered the highest sensitivity to changes in IFT were a low porosity (0.5) and a high injection flow (30 ft/day). The response to the presence of preferential channels and the pore shape was negligible. The approach developed in this research facilitates, through CFD simulations, the study of CEOR processes with microfluidic devices. It reduces the number of experiments and increases the probability of their success.

Thermophysical Properties of Nanofluid in Two-Phase Fluid Flow through a Porous Rectangular Medium for Enhanced Oil Recovery

“…Computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) is a methodology used to examine systems, such as fluid flow and the heat transport system, through computer simulations. When compared to experimental investigations, the CFD technique has the potential to study critical and unique circumstances in a process, reduce response time and research costs, and gain a complete and detailed understanding of the process [ 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 ].…”

BSEO─Semiautomatic Method for Determination of Oil Recovery with Nanofluids in Microfluidic Devices

“…These studies aim to improve the understanding of flow mechanisms and phase interactions between reservoir fluids that may contribute to increased oil recovery from hydrocarbon reservoirs . Moreover, microfluidics is not entirely unfamiliar or disregarded by the oil industry; instead, it has emerged as a valuable method for studying EOR through injection flooding. − Modern microfluidic models of the porous medium, featuring characteristic channel sizes ranging from several microns to hundreds of microns, are actively employed in research to enhance oil recovery. − Recently, with the boom of nanofluids and nanoparticles application in the oil and gas industry, , microfluidic systems have acquired special importance due to their easiness and rapid execution regarding core-flooding measurements, which allows a systematic evaluation of different parameters of importance for the nano-EOR process. − …”

“… 19 − 21 Recently, with the boom of nanofluids and nanoparticles application in the oil and gas industry, 22 , 23 microfluidic systems have acquired special importance due to their easiness and rapid execution regarding core-flooding measurements, which allows a systematic evaluation of different parameters of importance for the nano-EOR process. 24 − 26 …”

Fractal dimension to characterize interactions between blood and lymphatic endothelial cells

“…Pseudo-fractals are commonly observed during the displacement of immiscible fluids in porous media, such as in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes [ 37 , 38 ]. During EOR, capillary forces produce an interphase between the immiscible phases due to interfacial tension, velocity, and viscosity [ 39 ].…”