Optimization of solvent composition and injection rate in vapour extraction process
Vapour extraction (VAPEX) is a technique used to enhance heavy oil recovery. Many studies have been carried out on VAPEX on a macro scale since 1989. However, the number of studies conducted on a mega scale is limited. Solvent design and determination of injection rate are two important parameters t...
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my.utm.587302021-12-13T08:32:33Z http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/58730/ Optimization of solvent composition and injection rate in vapour extraction process Bayat, Ali Esfandyari Junin, Radzuan Kharrat, Riyaz Shamshirb, Shahaboddin Akib, Shatirah Mohamed Buang, Zolkepli TP Chemical technology Vapour extraction (VAPEX) is a technique used to enhance heavy oil recovery. Many studies have been carried out on VAPEX on a macro scale since 1989. However, the number of studies conducted on a mega scale is limited. Solvent design and determination of injection rate are two important parameters that have not been clearly defined on a mega scale. In this study, the VAPEX process was simulated for a heavy oil reservoir to determine the optimum solvent injection rate and composition on a mega scale. Propane (C3) ranging from 5 to 50mol% and butane (C4) from 5 to 40mol% as solvents were mixed with methane (C1). A method of estimating injection rate on a mega scale was introduced. Furthermore, it was found that porosity, vertical permeability, and bulk volume size did not have a noticeable effect on injection rate, while injection height from reservoir top, injector length, and amount of solvent in the mixture significantly influenced injection rate. It was also observed that higher amounts of solvents in the mixture caused greater reduction in heavy oil viscosity. Conversely, oil recovery values were higher for the mixtures with lower amounts of C3 and C4. Moreover, C4 seemed more effective for heavy oil viscosity reduction than C3, while the oil recovery value by C3 was higher than C4. Elsevier 2015 Article PeerReviewed Bayat, Ali Esfandyari and Junin, Radzuan and Kharrat, Riyaz and Shamshirb, Shahaboddin and Akib, Shatirah Mohamed and Buang, Zolkepli (2015) Optimization of solvent composition and injection rate in vapour extraction process. Journal Of Petroleum Science And Engineering, 128 . pp. 33-43. ISSN 0920-4105 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2015.02.015 DOI:10.1016/j.petrol.2015.02.015 |
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TP Chemical technology Bayat, Ali Esfandyari Junin, Radzuan Kharrat, Riyaz Shamshirb, Shahaboddin Akib, Shatirah Mohamed Buang, Zolkepli Optimization of solvent composition and injection rate in vapour extraction process |
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Vapour extraction (VAPEX) is a technique used to enhance heavy oil recovery. Many studies have been carried out on VAPEX on a macro scale since 1989. However, the number of studies conducted on a mega scale is limited. Solvent design and determination of injection rate are two important parameters that have not been clearly defined on a mega scale. In this study, the VAPEX process was simulated for a heavy oil reservoir to determine the optimum solvent injection rate and composition on a mega scale. Propane (C3) ranging from 5 to 50mol% and butane (C4) from 5 to 40mol% as solvents were mixed with methane (C1). A method of estimating injection rate on a mega scale was introduced. Furthermore, it was found that porosity, vertical permeability, and bulk volume size did not have a noticeable effect on injection rate, while injection height from reservoir top, injector length, and amount of solvent in the mixture significantly influenced injection rate. It was also observed that higher amounts of solvents in the mixture caused greater reduction in heavy oil viscosity. Conversely, oil recovery values were higher for the mixtures with lower amounts of C3 and C4. Moreover, C4 seemed more effective for heavy oil viscosity reduction than C3, while the oil recovery value by C3 was higher than C4. |
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Article |
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Bayat, Ali Esfandyari Junin, Radzuan Kharrat, Riyaz Shamshirb, Shahaboddin Akib, Shatirah Mohamed Buang, Zolkepli |
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Bayat, Ali Esfandyari Junin, Radzuan Kharrat, Riyaz Shamshirb, Shahaboddin Akib, Shatirah Mohamed Buang, Zolkepli |
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Bayat, Ali Esfandyari |
title |
Optimization of solvent composition and injection rate in vapour extraction process |
title_short |
Optimization of solvent composition and injection rate in vapour extraction process |
title_full |
Optimization of solvent composition and injection rate in vapour extraction process |
title_fullStr |
Optimization of solvent composition and injection rate in vapour extraction process |
title_full_unstemmed |
Optimization of solvent composition and injection rate in vapour extraction process |
title_sort |
optimization of solvent composition and injection rate in vapour extraction process |
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Elsevier |
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2015 |
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http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/58730/ http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2015.02.015 |
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