Abstract
The Oberbeck-Boussinesq (OB) approximation is widely employed as a simplifying assumption for density-dependent flow problems. It reduces the governing differential equations to simpler forms, which can be handled analytically or numerically. In this study, a modified OB model is formulated to account for the variation of rock permeability and porosity with temperature during the hot fluid injection process in an oil-saturated porous medium under the assumption of local thermal equilibrium (LTE). The mathematical model is solved numerically using a fully implicit control volume finite difference discretization with the successive over relaxation (SOR) method to handle the non-linearity. Subsequently, the numerical model is validated with the analytical solution of the simplified problem successfully. Through detailed sensitivity analyses, the simulation results reveal the hot fluid injection rate as the most important operational parameter to be optimized for a successful thermal flood. The numerical runs show that that for single-phase core-flood simulation, the effect of temperature on the rock absolute permeability and porosity can be neglected without introducing any significant errors in the estimated recovery and temperature profile.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
