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Article . 2018 . Peer-reviewed
License: Elsevier TDM
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Pore-scale analysis of steam-solvent coinjection: azeotropic temperature, dilution and asphaltene deposition

Authors: ZhenBang Qi; Mira Kim; Ali Abedini; Adriana Guerrero; David Sinton; Lining Xu;

Pore-scale analysis of steam-solvent coinjection: azeotropic temperature, dilution and asphaltene deposition

Abstract

Abstract Steam assisted gravity drainage is the main technologically and economically feasible method for in situ bitumen extraction. However, SAGD is energy intensive with economic and environmental challenges. Steam-solvent coinjection has proposed to improve SAGD performance, where hydrocarbon solvent is simultaneously injected with steam to increase the production rate and lower the steam-oil-ratio. The addition of solvent, however, complicates an already complex multicomponent thermal-chemical process. Microfluidics is well suited to quantify the pore-scale of steam-solvent coinjection with a tight control over experimental parameters. In this study, a high-pressure high-temperature micromodel combined with optical and thermal imaging is used to probe the pore-scale of steam-solvent coinjection process at relevant reservoir conditions. The effects of butane and hexane, as well as two industrial solvents, condensate and naphtha, on the pore-scale mechanisms are quantified and compared. The in situ thermal data is used to profile and analyze the condensation zone behavior and steam-solvent azeotropic temperature for all steam-solvent cases. We find that overall performance depends on the difference between steam-solvent azeotropic temperature and steam saturation temperature, the degree of solvent-bitumen dilution, and the degree of asphaltene precipitation in the condensing zone. In contrast with pure solvents and condensate, naphtha results in the highest recovery due to a higher steam-solvent azeotropic temperature, effective dilution, with minimal asphaltene deposition.

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    41
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Top 10%
    influence
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    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Top 10%
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Found an issue? Give us feedback
citations
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
41
Top 10%
Top 10%
Top 10%