Foam Generation in Porous Media

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.A. Gauglitz ◽  
F. Friedmann ◽  
S.I. Kam ◽  
W.R. Rossen
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Foam Generation

Modeling Foam Displacement with the Local-Equilibrium Approximation: Theory and Experimental Verification

SPE Journal ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (01) ◽  
pp. 171-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q.. Chen ◽  
M.G.. G. Gerritsen ◽  
A.R.. R. Kovscek
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Local Equilibrium ◽  
Population Balance ◽  
Entrance Region ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Population Balance Model ◽  
Gas Bubble ◽  
Foam Generation ◽  
Foam Model ◽  
Bubble Sizes

Summary The gas-mobility-control aspects of foamed gas make it highly applicable for improved oil recovery. Gas-bubble size, often referred to as foam texture, determines gas-flow behavior in porous media. A population-balance model has been developed previously for modeling foam texture and flow in porous media. The model incorporates pore-level mechanisms of foam-bubble generation, coalescence, and transport. Here, we propose a simplified foam model to reduce computational costs. The formulation is based on the assumption of local equilibrium of foam generation and coalescence and is applicable to high- and low-quality foams. The proposed foam model is compatible with a standard reservoir simulator. It provides a potentially useful, efficient tool to predict foam flows accurately at the field scale for designing and managing foamed-gas applications. There are three main contributions of this paper. First, foam-displacement experiments in a linear sandstone core are conducted. A visualization cell is employed to measure the effluent foam-bubble sizes for a transient flow as well as to estimate the in-situ foam-bubble sizes along the length of the core during steady-state flow. These appear to be the first measurements of foam-bubble texture in the entrance region of a core. Additionally, the evolution of aqueous-phase saturation is monitored using X-ray computed tomography (CT), and the pressure profile is measured by a series of pressure taps. Second, the population-balance representation of foam generation by gas-bubble snap-off is modified to extend the capability of the population-balance approach to predict foam-flow behaviors in both the so-called high-quality and low-quality regimes. Third, a simplified population-balance model is developed and implemented with the local-equilibrium approximation. Good agreement is found between the experimental results and the predictions of the simplified model, with a minor mismatch in the entrance region.

Foam Generation Hysteresis in Porous Media: Experiments and New Insights

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 687-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Lotfollahi ◽  
Ijung Kim ◽  
Mohammad R. Beygi ◽  
Andrew J. Worthen ◽  
Chun Huh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Foam Generation

scholarly journals Foam Generation by Capillary Snap-Off in Flow Across a Sharp Permeability Transition

SPE Journal ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (01) ◽  
pp. 116-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swej Y. Shah ◽  
Karl-Heinz Wolf ◽  
Rashidah M. Pilus ◽  
William R. Rossen
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Surfactant Solution ◽  
Permeability Transition ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Fractional Flow ◽  
The Core ◽  
Foam Generation ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
Gas Mobility

Summary Foam reduces gas mobility and can improve sweep efficiency in an enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) process. Previous studies show that foam can be generated in porous media by exceeding a critical velocity or pressure gradient. This requirement is typically met only near the wellbore, and it is uncertain whether foam can propagate several tens of meters away from wells as the local pressure gradient and superficial velocity decreases. Theoretical studies show that foam can be generated, independent of pressure gradient, during flow across an abrupt increase in permeability. In this study, we validate theoretical predictions through a variety of experimental evidence. Coreflood experiments involving simultaneous injection of gas and surfactant solution at field-like velocities are presented. We use model consolidated porous media made out of sintered glass, with a well-characterized permeability transition in each core. The change in permeability in these artificial cores is analogous to sharp, small-scale heterogeneities, such as laminations and cross laminations. Pressure gradient is measured across several sections of the core to identify foam-generation events and the subsequent propagation of foam. X-ray computed tomography (CT) provides dynamic images of the coreflood with an indication of foam presence through phase saturations. We investigate the effects of the magnitude of permeability contrast on foam generation and mobilization. Experiments demonstrate foam generation during simultaneous flow of gas and surfactant solution across a sharp increase in permeability, at field-like velocities. The experimental observations also validate theoretical predictions of the permeability contrast required for foam generation by “snap-off” to occur at a certain gas fractional flow. Pressure-gradient measurements across different sections of the core indicate the presence or absence of foam and the onset of foam generation at the permeability change. There is no foam present in the system before generation at the boundary. CT measurements help visualize foam generation and propagation in terms of a region of high gas saturation developing at the permeability transition and moving downstream. If coarse foam is formed upstream, then it is transformed into stronger foam at the transition. Significant fluctuations are observed in the pressure gradient across the permeability transition, suggesting intermittent plugging and mobilization of flow there. This is the first CT-assisted experimental study of foam generation by snap-off only, at a sharp permeability increase in a consolidated medium. The results of experiments reported in this paper have important consequences for a foam application in highly heterogeneous or layered formations. Not including the effect of heterogeneities on gas mobility reduction in the presence of surfactant could underestimate the efficiency of the displacement process.

Foam generation in homogeneous porous media

2002 ◽  
Vol 57 (19) ◽  
pp. 4037-4052 ◽  
Author(s):  
P A. Gauglitz ◽  
F Friedmann ◽  
S I. Kam ◽  
W R. Rossen
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Homogeneous Porous Media ◽  
Foam Generation

Effect of particle hydrophobicity on CO2 foam generation and foam flow behavior in porous media

Fuel ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 126 ◽  
pp. 104-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianjia Yu ◽  
Munawar Khalil ◽  
Ning Liu ◽  
Robert Lee
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Foam Flow ◽  
Foam Generation ◽  
Co2 Foam

Evaluation of In-Situ Generation of Nitrogen Gas for Foam Applications using Two Salt Solutions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuhair AlYousef ◽  
Ali Altaq ◽  
Muhammad Almajid ◽  
Lyla Almaskeen
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Apparent Viscosity ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Salt Solutions ◽  
Nitrogen Gas ◽  
Conformance Control ◽  
Foaming Agent ◽  
Foam Generation ◽  
Eor Processes ◽  
Mobility Reduction

Abstract Foams are used in many oil and gas applications including conformance control during EOR processes, fracturing, and acidizing operations. Foams are defined as dispersions of gas bubbles into a continuous liquid phase. Typically, foams are generated when an injection gas such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or flue gas is mixed with an injection fluid containing a foaming agent. This method, however, requires a gas source to be present for foams to be generated. The objective of this study is to evaluate a new alternative technique for foam generation using two salt solutions. Nitrogen gas is generated as a result of the reaction of the two salt solutions at specific conditions. This generated nitrogen gas is then used for foam generation in porous media. The foam generated using the two salt solutions is tested in a microfluidic device (rock-on-a-chip) to study the gas mobility reduction in porous media. A Foam rheometer apparatus is also used to measure foam apparent viscosity when the two salt solutions are mixed with a foaming agent. The results are compared with those obtained when nitrogen gas is injected into the system independently in the absence of the two salt solutions. Results reveal that the amount of added salts significantly impact the produced nitrogen volume. Additionally, the test conditions especially the temperature, significantly impacts the reaction rate. The rate of nitrogen gas generation is directly proportional to the temperature when tested at 25-80°C. In addition, experiments demonstrate that the foams generated using the two salt solutions reaction have almost identical characteristics as those produced when nitrogen gas is injected into the foam rheometer apparatus independently. Both methods generate the same foams with comparable foam apparent viscosity. In the microfluidic system, the foam obtained using the two salt solutions in the presence of a foaming agent shows excellent resistance to gas flow and subsequently exhibit large gas mobility reduction. This experimental study, for the first time, confirms the ability of the two salt solutions reaction to generate nitrogen gas spontaneously upon contact under certain conditions. The generated gas is used to generate foams in the presence of a foaming agent. This newly proposed technique of foam generation could significantly impact many oil and gas operations including conformance control during EOR processes, fracturing, and acid stimulation operations.

Conditions for Foam Generation in Homogeneous Porous Media

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanzil Dicksen ◽  
George J. Hirasaki ◽  
Clarence A. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Homogeneous Porous Media ◽  
Foam Generation
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