| Popis: |
This paper describes a semianalytical method for calculating oil recovery by steamflooding. It accounts for effects of steam distillation and gravity overlay of steam. First, the equations for the heat balance and the configuration of the steam/liquid interface1 are solved simultaneously to predict the volume of the overall heated zone and the volume and shape of the steam zone. Second, the approximate enthalpy and material balances are combined with the thermodynamics of differential vaporization to derive a fully compositional method for calculating the volume and composition of steam-distilled hydrocarbons. Finally, the results of the foregoing are combined with a fluid flow model, similar to Higgins and Leighton's2 cell model for waterflood analysis to calculate oil recovery.This semianalytical method can account for almost all the important recovery mechanisms involved in steamflooding with relatively small computation time. Good agreement has been obtained between available experimental data and calculations carried out in accord with this analysis. |
