Abstract
Silica nanoparticles have been shown to exhibit many characteristics that allow for additional oil to be recovered during sand-pack flooding experiments. Additionally various imaging techniques have been employed in the past to visually compare flooding procedures including x-ray computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging; however, these techniques require the sample to be destroyed or sliced after the flooding experiment finishes. Electrical resistance tomography (ERT) overcomes these limitations by offering a non-destructive visualization method allowing for online images to be taken during the flooding process by the determination of spatial distribution of electrical resistivity, thus making it suitable for sand-packs. During the scope of this research a new sand-pack system and methodology was created which utilized ERT as a monitoring tool. Two concentrations, 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt%, of SiO2 nanoparticles were compared with runs using only brine to compare the recovery efficiency and explore the ability of ERT to monitor the flooding process. Electrical resistance tomography was found to be an effective tool in monitoring local recovery efficiency revealing 1.0 wt% SiO2 to be more effective than 0.5 wt% and brine only runs during the scope of this research. A new method involving the slope function in excel was used to compare the effects of nanofluids on resistivity trends also revealing information about the rate of recovery against time. SiO2 nanofluid recovery mechanisms such interfacial tension reduction and viscosity enhancement were then considered to explain why the nanofluids resulted in greater oil recovery.
Highlights
SiO2 nanofluid recovery mechanisms such interfacial tension reduction and viscosity enhancement were considered to explain why the nanofluids resulted in greater oil recovery
Both electrical conductivity and resistivity measurements have been conducted in the past to characterize porous media flow, especially during soil infiltration measurements [1,2,3]
These resistivity measurements have been conducted to a lesser extent in regards to flooding processes for oil recovery
Summary
Both electrical conductivity and resistivity measurements have been conducted in the past to characterize porous media flow, especially during soil infiltration measurements [1,2,3]. The resistivity of a porous media is governed by the electrical resistivity of the constituent phases, saturation content, fabric, and porosity. These resistivity measurements have been conducted to a lesser extent in regards to flooding processes for oil recovery. X-ray computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are used to obtain images of flow patterns during flooding experiments. These options provide better spatial resolutions, electrical resistance tomography (ERT) has many benefits including excellent temporal resolutions, great practicability, and its ability to perform reconstructions in real time
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have