In-Situ Combustion Dynamics Visualized With X-Ray Computed Tomography Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • Abstract One method to access unconventional, heavy-oil resources is to apply in-situ combustion (ISC) to oxidize in place a small fraction of the hydrocarbon thereby providing heat and pressure that enhances recovery. ISC is also attractive because it provides the opportunity to upgrade oil in-situ by increasing the API gravity and decreasing, for instance, sulfur content. Despite a considerable literature on ISC dynamics, the propagation of a combustion front through porous media has never been visualized directly. We use X-ray computed tomography (CT) to monitor ISC movement, displacement-front shape, and thickness in a 1m long combustion tube. Temperature profile history, liquid production, and effluent gas data are also obtained. Tests employ a 8.65 API (at 21.6 C) heavy crude oil and representative sand. The general trend of saturation profiles are defined through spatially and temporally varying CT numbers. The role of initial oil and water saturations is examined by packing the combustion tube with either multiple samples with different saturations or filling it with a uniform sample. Our work quantifies that ISC fronts display instabilities on a very fine scale (cm). ISC reactions appear to add to front instability in comparison to inert gas advance. The pressure gradients during ISC appear to influence grain arrangement for loose packing. These grain arrangements cause combustion front fingering suggesting that the geomechanical state is relevant to combustion. This new data advances the knowledge base significantly by providing a data set for benchmarking of ISC simulations.

name of conference

  • All Days

published proceedings

  • All Days

author list (cited authors)

  • Hasakir, B., Castanier, L. M., & Kovscek, A. R.

citation count

  • 3

complete list of authors

  • Hasçakir, B||Castanier, LM||Kovscek, AR

publication date

  • September 2010