Revista Fuentes El Reventón Energético (Jun 2014)
Modelado de procesos de combustion in situ
Abstract
Although in situ combustion has great potential for oil recovery, it has associated many complexities that hinder its representation in the laboratory and numerical simulation. However, there are tools such as simulation of combustion tube tests that help reduce the uncertainty of the process. It is important to identify the various parameters and considerations drawn from previous experiments, and modifications of these, which are taken into account in the development of numerical models, and among which we consider crude properties, characterization of the same set of reactions, among others. These will be introduced in the respective simulation program, obtaining answers that can be compared with those given by laboratory tests performed under the same conditions, allowing to further establishing a suitable method for the simulation of this type of process. Simulating these laboratory tests gives a theoretical approach of the technical feasibility for possible application in the field. The combustion tube tests lead to a better understanding of the process and provide the basic information required to define a field application: choice of process (dry combustion or wet combustion), availability of fuel and air requirements, optimization of operating conditions (choice of water / air ratio), and characterization of the liquid and gaseous effluents. A pilot test involves a small portion of the reservoir that is usually the first stage of the implementation of in-situ combustion in the field. If the pilot is successful, the project may be extended to the commercial stage.
