Abstract:
A microfluidic apparatus includes a substrate defining a microchannel having inlet and an outlet defining a length of the microchannel. The microchannel has a main channel extending from the inlet to the outlet, and a plurality of side cavities extending from the main channel. The cavities are in fluid communication with the main channel. A method includes introducing a sample into the microchannel through the inlet to fill the entire microchannel, and then introducing a solvent into the microchannel through the inlet at a controlled flow rate and inlet pressure. A developed solvent front then moves along the main channel from the inlet to the outlet while displacing the sample in the main channel. Images of the microchannel are acquired as the front moves, and a miscibility condition is determined based on the images.
Abstract:
A method for performing a simulation of a field having a subterranean formation is described. The method includes obtaining phase behavior data of subterranean fluids of the field, generating an equation of state (EOS) model of the fluids based on the phase behavior data, generating a Helmholtz free energy model that reproduces predictions of the EOS model over a pre-determined pressure and temperature range, and performing the simulation of the field using the Helmholtz free energy model. The method may further include reducing the EOS model to a reduced EOS model having a reduced number of components to represent the EOS model over a pre-determined pressure and temperature range, generating the Helmholtz free energy model based on the reduced EOS model, and obtaining and using phase behavior data of injection fluids used. A computer system data.
Abstract:
A method for performing simulation of a field having a subterranean formation, including: obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) porous solid image of a core sample, the core sample representing a portion of the field; generating a digital rock model from the solid image, the digital rock model describing a physical pore structure in the core sample; obtaining phase behavior data of fluids of the field; generating a digital fluid model of the fluids based on the phase behavior data, the digital fluid model describing a physical property of the fluid; performing, on a computer system and based on the digital rock model and the digital fluid model, simulations of the field by varying an input parameter for the simulations; and analyzing an output parameter generated by the simulations to determine an effect of varying the input parameter on the output parameter.
Abstract:
A microfluidic apparatus has a microchannel that includes at least one vertically oriented segment with a top section having a relatively wide opening and a bottom section having a relatively narrow opening. The top section is larger in volume relative to the bottom sections, and the middle sections taper down in at least one dimension from the top section to the bottom section. One or tens or hundreds of vertically-oriented segments may be provided, and they are fluidly coupled to each other. Each segment acts as a pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) cell, and the microchannel apparatus may be used to determine a parameter of a fluid containing hydrocarbons such as the dew point of the fluid or the liquid drop-out as a function of pressure.
Abstract:
An apparatus (and method) for characterizing interfacial tension between a non-wetting phase fluid and a wetting phase fluid of a slug flow employs a capillary structure that is configured to contain a slug of the non-wetting phase fluid of the slug flow. The slug has a leading edge meniscus and a trailing edge meniscus, and the capillary structure has a venturi-like section. A pressure sensor is configured to measure differential pressure between first and second locations of the capillary structure. The first location is disposed upstream of the leading edge meniscus of the slug with the leading edge meniscus of the slug contained within the venturi-like section. The second location is disposed downstream of the trailing edge meniscus of the slug. Data processing means is configured to derive a measure of interfacial tension based upon the differential pressure measured by the pressure sensor and, optionally, geometry of the capillary structure.
Abstract:
A method for determining an asphaltene onset condition of a crude oil is provided. The method includes receiving a crude oil within a downhole tool inside a well and taking a first measurement of an optical property of the received crude oil. The method also includes lowering the pressure or temperature of the crude oil after taking the first measurement of the optical property to cause aggregation of asphaltenes in the crude oil, and then separating aggregated asphaltenes from the crude oil. Further, the method includes taking a second measurement of the optical property of the crude oil within the downhole tool after separating aggregated asphaltenes from the crude oil and determining an asphaltene onset condition of the crude oil through comparison of the first and second measurements of the optical property. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method for determining an asphaltene onset condition of a crude oil is provided. The method includes receiving a crude oil within a downhole tool inside a well and taking a first measurement of an optical property of the received crude oil. The method also includes lowering the pressure or temperature of the crude oil after taking the first measurement of the optical property to cause aggregation of asphaltenes in the crude oil, and then separating aggregated asphaltenes from the crude oil. Further, the method includes taking a second measurement of the optical property of the crude oil within the downhole tool after separating aggregated asphaltenes from the crude oil and determining an asphaltene onset condition of the crude oil through comparison of the first and second measurements of the optical property. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A microfluidic apparatus includes a substrate defining a microchannel having inlet and an outlet defining a length of the microchannel. The microchannel has a main channel extending from the inlet to the outlet, and a plurality of side cavities extending from the main channel. The cavities are in fluid communication with the main channel. A method includes introducing a sample into the microchannel through the inlet to fill the entire microchannel, and then introducing a solvent into the microchannel through the inlet at a controlled flow rate and inlet pressure. A developed solvent front then moves along the main channel from the inlet to the outlet while displacing the sample in the main channel. Images of the microchannel are acquired as the front moves, and a miscibility condition is determined based on the images.
Abstract:
A microfluidic apparatus has a microchannel that includes at least one vertically oriented segment with a top section having a relatively wide opening and a bottom section having a relatively narrow opening. The top section is larger in volume relative to the bottom sections, and the middle sections taper down in at least one dimension from the top section to the bottom section. One or tens or hundreds of vertically-oriented segments may be provided, and they are fluidly coupled to each other. Each segment acts as a pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) cell, and the microchannel apparatus may be used to determine a parameter of a fluid containing hydrocarbons such as the dew point of the fluid or the liquid drop-out as a function of pressure.
Abstract:
A method for performing a simulation of a field having a subterranean formation is described. The method includes obtaining phase behavior data of subterranean fluids of the field, generating an equation of state (EOS) model of the fluids based on the phase behavior data, generating a Helmholtz free energy model that reproduces predictions of the EOS model over a pre-determined pressure and temperature range, and performing the simulation of the field using the Helmholtz free energy model. The method may further include reducing the EOS model to a reduced EOS model having a reduced number of components to represent the EOS model over a pre-determined pressure and temperature range, generating the Helmholtz free energy model based on the reduced EOS model, and obtaining and using phase behavior data of injection fluids used. A computer system data.