Transport of Components and Phases in a Surfactant/Foam

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dc.contributor.advisorHirasaki, George J.
dc.contributor.advisorMiller, Clarence A.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberTomson, Mason B.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberBiswal, Sibani Lisa
dc.contributor.committeeMemberPuerto, Maura C.
dc.creatorLopez Salinas, Jose
dc.date.accessioned2013-07-24T19:36:39Z
dc.date.accessioned2013-07-24T19:36:51Z
dc.date.available2013-07-24T19:36:39Z
dc.date.available2013-07-24T19:36:51Z
dc.date.created2012-12
dc.date.issued2013-07-24
dc.date.submittedDecember 2012
dc.date.updated2013-07-24T19:36:51Z
dc.description.abstractThe transport of components and phases plays a fundamental role in the success of an EOR process. Because many reservoirs have harsh conditions of salinity, temperature and rock heterogeneity, which limit process options, a robust system with flexibility is required. Systematic experimental study of formulations capable to transport surfactant as foam at 94°C, formulated in sea water, is presented. It includes methodology to conduct core floods in sand packs using foaming surfactants and to develop “surfactant blend ratio- salinity ratio maps” using equilibrium phase behavior to determine favorable conditions for oil recovery in such floods. Mathematical model able to reproduce the foam strength behavior observed in sand packs with the formulations studied is presented. Visualization of oil recovery mechanism from matrix is realized using a model system of micro-channels surrounded by glass beads to mimic matrix and fractures respectively. The observations illustrate how components may distribute within the matrix, thereby releasing oil into the fractures. The use of chemicals to minimize adsorption is required when surfactant adsorption is important. The presence of anhydrite may limit the use of sodium carbonate to reduce adsorption of carbonates. A methodology is presented to estimate the amount, if any, of anhydrite present in the reservoir. The method is based on brine software analysis of produced water compositions and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis of core samples. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was used to verify the mineralogy of the rock. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to obtain surface composition for comparison with bulk composition of the rock. Adsorption of surfactants was measured using dynamic and static adsorption experiments. Determining the flow properties of the rock samples via tracer analysis permitted the simulation of the dynamic adsorption process using a mathematical model that considers the distribution of adsorbed materials in the three different regions of pore space. Using this method allows one to predict adsorption in a reservoir via simulation.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.citationLopez Salinas, Jose. "Transport of Components and Phases in a Surfactant/Foam." (2013) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/71670">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/71670</a>.
dc.identifier.slug123456789/ETD-2012-12-277
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/71670
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectEOR
dc.subjectFoam
dc.subjectCarbonate reservoir
dc.subjectAdsorption
dc.subjectFoam simulation
dc.subjectDynamic adsorption
dc.subjectSurfactants
dc.subjectAnhydrite
dc.subjectFractured reservoir
dc.subjectImbibition
dc.subjectGravity drainage
dc.subjectCapillary tubes
dc.subjectWettability
dc.subjectIFT
dc.subjectChemical engineering
dc.titleTransport of Components and Phases in a Surfactant/Foam
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentChemical and Biomolecular Engineering
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineering
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy
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