A Computer Simulation of a Laboratory Coreflood , Using TRSl0-80 Surfactant in Berea

A computer simulation study was undertaken for the purpose of analyzing the unique displacement characteristics observed in an experimental coreflood conducted by a previous investigator (Looney) which used a TRSl0-80, Nonane, Isopropyl Alcohol, 1.0 wt. % NaCl Brine Slug. Since sodium and calcium concentrations were not measured in the coreflood effluent, and the effect of calcium on the slug was not known, the simulation was conducted on a history matching basis. Using experimentally determined input parameters to describe the other physical properties of the slug, but varying the effect of salinity on the phase behavior, only an approximate match of the experimental coreflood effluent was obtained. The TRSl0-80 slug observed in the coreflood forms a three phase, low concentration surfactant and alcohol macroemulsion which is efficient at displacing oil, but which is not accurately modeled by the phase behavior segment of the simulator used in this study. The significance of this deficiency on the overall accuracy of the simulator was not determined. However, the poor prediction of the coreflood effluent displacement mechanisms of Looney' s coreflood are different than those represented by the simulator. A particular problem was found in the computer models phase behavior routines, which over-predicted the middle phase concentration of surfactant and alcohol in coreflood effluent samples collected from Looney's coreflood. The prediction of Beaker samples at 1.0 and 2.7 wt. % NACl was somewhat better. No experimental data was available to test the fit of high sodium concentrations (greater than 2.7 wt.%) or in the presence of calcium. It is recommended that additional experimental data on the phase behavior, Interfacial Tension and viscosity of the TRSl0-80 slug be obtained. This data would provide a more complete basis for simulating the 1.0 wt. % NACl coreflood conducted by Looney. It would also provide a basis for using the simulator to design experimental corefloods at higher salinities.

Author dc:creator

• Golub, Alex J.

Statement dc:rights

• This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1808/37770

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:kuscholarworks.ku.edu:1808/37770