Masters Theses

Abstract

"After using primary and secondary oil recovery methods, about two third of the original oil in place is left behind in the reservoir. Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods are being used to recover that oil. CO₂ flooding is one of the EOR methods that is used to recover the oil. The interest here lies in recovery of heavy oils. The dissolution of CO₂ in oil reduces oil viscosity and swells it, making it easier to displace the oil. FLUENT is used to solve the problem of CO₂ displacing heavy oil in a tube. Different velocities/capillary numbers (Ca) and different tube radii are used as input into FLUENT to solve different cases. The oil film thickness that left behind (h∞) is reported both without mass transfer and with mass transfer.

The oil film thickness that is left behind, h∞ is decreased when capillary number is decreased. When there is no mass transfer, the non-dimensional film thickness left behind h∞/R plotted against capillary number Ca fit Bretherton line. Even under mass transfer of CO₂ into oil, bubbles show Bretherton-type behavior. Convection in this case opposes the mass transfer and limits how much CO₂ can dissolve in oil"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Neogi, P. (Partho), 1951-

Committee Member(s)

Al-Dahhan, Muthanna H.
Bai, Baojun

Department(s)

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Chemical Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2012

Pagination

viii, 47 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 45-46).

Rights

© 2012 Mohammed Almabrouk Ali Ahmad, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Heavy oil
Enhanced oil recovery
Carbon dioxide
Oil fields -- Production methods

Thesis Number

T 10108

Print OCLC #

842846428

Electronic OCLC #

908462379

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