Synergistic anionic/zwitterionic mixed surfactant system with high emulsification efficiency for enhanced oil recovery in low permeability reservoirs

Emulsification is one of the important mechanisms of surfactant flooding. To improve oil recovery for low permeability reservoirs, a highly efficient emulsification oil flooding system consisting of anionic surfactant sodium alkyl glucosyl hydroxypropyl sulfonate(APGSHS) and zwitterionic surfactant octadecyl betaine(BS-18) is proposed. The performance of APGSHS/BS-18 mixed surfactant system was evaluated in terms of interfacial tension, emulsification capability, emulsion size and distribution, wettability alteration, temperature-resistance and salt-resistance. The emulsification speed was used to evaluate the emulsification ability of surfactant systems, and the results show that mixed surfactant systems can completely emulsify the crude oil into emulsions droplets even under low energy conditions. Meanwhile,the system exhibits good temperature and salt resistance. Finally, the best oil recovery of 25.45% is achieved for low permeability core by the mixed surfactant system with a total concentration of 0.3 wt%while the molar ratio of APGSHS:BS-18 is 4:6. The current study indicates that the anionic/zwitterionic mixed surfactant system can improve the oil flooding efficiency and is potential candidate for application in low permeability reservoirs.

A novel profile modification HPF-Co gel satisfied with fractured low permeability reservoirs in high temperature and high salinity

Conformance control and water plugging are a widely used EOR method in mature oilfields.However,majority of conformance control and water plugging agents are unavoidable dehydrated situation in high-temperature and high-salinity low permeability reservoirs.Consequently,a novel conformance control system HPF-Co gel,based on high-temperature stabilizer(CoCl_(2)·H_(2)O,CCH)is developed.The HPF-Co bulk gel has better performances with high temperature(120℃)and high salinity(1×10^(5)mg/L).According to Sydansk coding system,the gel strength of HPF-Co with CCH is increased to code G.The dehydration rate of HPF-Co gel is 32.0%after aging for 150 d at 120℃,showing excellent thermal stability.The rheological properties of HPF gel and HPF-Co gel are also studied.The results show that the storage modulus(G′)of HPF-Co gel is always greater than that of HPF gel.The effect of CCH on the microstructure of the gel is studied.The results show that the HPF-Co gel with CCH has a denser gel network,and the diameter of the three-dimensional network skeleton is 1.5-3.5μm.After 90 d of aging,HPF-Co gel still has a good three-dimensional structure.Infrared spectroscopy results show that CCH forms coordination bonds with N and O atoms in the gel amide group,which can suppress the vibration of cross-linked sites and improve the stability at high temperature.Fractured core plugging test determines the optimized polymer gel injection strategy and injection velocity with HPF-Co bulk gel system,plugging rate exceeding 98%.Moreover,the results of subsequent waterflooding recovery can be improved by 17%.

Modeling of multiphase flow in low permeability porous media:Effect of wettability and pore structure properties

Multiphase flow in low permeability porous media is involved in numerous energy and environmental applications.However,a complete description of this process is challenging due to the limited modeling scale and the effects of complex pore structures and wettability.To address this issue,based on the digital rock of low permeability sandstone,a direct numerical simulation is performed considering the interphase drag and boundary slip to clarify the microscopic water-oil displacement process.In addition,a dual-porosity pore network model(PNM)is constructed to obtain the water-oil relative permeability of the sample.The displacement efficiency as a recovery process is assessed under different wetting and pore structure properties.Results show that microscopic displacement mechanisms explain the corresponding macroscopic relative permeability.The injected water breaks through the outlet earlier with a large mass flow,while thick oil films exist in rough hydrophobic surfaces and poorly connected pores.The variation of water-oil relative permeability is significant,and residual oil saturation is high in the oil-wet system.The flooding is extensive,and the residual oil is trapped in complex pore networks for hydrophilic pore surfaces;thus,water relative permeability is lower in the water-wet system.While the displacement efficiency is the worst in mixed-wetting systems for poor water connectivity.Microporosity negatively correlates with invading oil volume fraction due to strong capillary resistance,and a large microporosity corresponds to low residual oil saturation.This work provides insights into the water-oil flow from different modeling perspectives and helps to optimize the development plan for enhanced recovery.

Drift characteristics and the multi-field coupling stress mechanism of the pantograph-catenary arc under low air pressure

The fault caused by a pantograph-catenary arc is the main factor that threatens the stability of high-speed railway energy transmission.Pantograph-catenary arc vertical drift is more severe than the case under normal pressure,as it is easy to develop the rigid busbar,which may lead to the flashover occurring around the support insulators.We establish a pantograph-catenary arc experiment and diagnosis platform to simulate low pressure and strong airflow environment.Meanwhile,the variation law of arc drift height with time under different air pressures and airflow velocities is analyzed.Moreover,arc drift characteristics and influencing factors are explored.The physical process of the arc column drifting to the rigid busbar with the jumping mechanism of the arc root on the rigid busbar is summarized.In order to further explore the mechanism of the above physical process,a multi-field stress coupling model is built,as the multi-stress variation law of arc is quantitatively evaluated.The dynamic action mechanism of multi-field stress on arc drifting characteristics is explored,as the physical mechanism of arc drifting under low pressure is theoretically explained.The research results provide theoretical support for arc suppression in high-altitude areas.

Oxidation of Fe-Cr-Ni Alloys in a Low Oxygen Partial Pressure Atmosphere to Mitigate Coke Formation

Anti-coking oxide films were prepared on a 25Cr35Ni and 35Cr45Ni alloy surface under the low oxygen partialpressure atmosphere of a H2-H2O mixture. The composition and phase structure of the oxide films were analyzed by energydispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The anti-cokingperformance of a mini tube made of a HP40 (25Cr35Ni) alloy was evaluated on a bench scale pyrolysis and coking test unit.The results showed that the surface Fe and Ni content decreased after the oxidation of the two alloys in a low oxygen partialpressure atmosphere. The oxide films were mainly composed of MnCr_(2)O_(4) and Cr_(2)O_(3). The average mass of coke in the minitube with oxide film decreased by 87% relative to that of a tube without an oxide film when the cracking temperature was 900℃. The ethylene, propylene, and butadiene yields in the pyrolysis tests were almost the same for the mini tubes withand without an oxide film. The oxide film on the alloy surface effectively inhibited catalytic filamentous coke formation.An industrial test showed that the run length of the cracking furnace with the in-situ coating technology was significantlyextended.

Study on Reducing Injection Pressure of Low Permeability Reservoirs Characterized by High Temperature and High Salinity

In view of the problems of high injection pressure and low water injection rate in water injection wells of low permeability reservoirs featuring high temperature and high salinity,two new surfactants were synthesized,including a quaternary ammonium surfactant and a betaine amphoteric surfactant.The composite surfactant system BYJ-1 was formed by mixing two kinds of surfactants.The minimum interfacial tension between BYJ-1 solution and the crude oil could reach 1.4×10^(-3) mN/m.The temperature resistance was up to 140℃,and the salt resistance could reach up to 120 g/L.For the low permeability core fully saturated with water phase,BYJ-1 could obviously reduce the starting pressure gradient of low permeability core.While for the core with residual oil,BYJ-1 could obviously reduce the injection pressure and improve the oil recovery.Moreover,the field test showed that BYJ-1 could effectively reduce the injection pressure of the water injection well,increase the injection volume,and increase the liquid production and oil production of the corresponding production well.

An overview of efficient development practices at low permeability sandstone reservoirs in China

Low permeability sandstone reservoirs in China typically have more complicated geological conditions, pore structures, and flow characteristics as compared to medium-to-high-permeability sandstone reservoirs. Traditional geological and seepage theories, and engineering methods are not applicable to the development of these low permeability reservoirs, and wells drilled into them often produce oil and gas at very low rates. Recent breakthroughs in reservoir exploitation technology have greatly improved the productivity of low permeability reservoirs, making them the primary target for oil exploration and extraction in China. The development theories and practices applied to low permeability reservoirs in China are reviewed in this study— based on relevant geological and engineering practices, including drilling, fracturing, recovery, and surface engineering. A unique series of technological advances that aid the development of low permeability reservoirs in China are summarized here. This study may serve as a meaningful guide in achieving scale efficiency for the development of low permeability reservoirs.

Association between Low Ambient Temperature and the Severity of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objective:To explore the relationships among ambient temperature,ischemic stroke severity,and blood pressure.Methods:Meteorological data(2005–2015)were collected from the Guangzhou Meteorological Data Service.Ischemic stroke patients from the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat-sen University were retrospectively evaluated,each winter from 2005 to 2015.Patient demographics,baseline measurements,and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score were evaluated.Results:Three hundred sixty-two patients were included.The median latency from symptom onset to admission was 2 d(IQR:1–3 d).During recruitment,the highest and lowest temperatures were 39℃and 1.3℃,respectively.Hypertension was the most common comorbidity(75.1%).NIHSS scores at admission and discharge were higher in the cold-exposed group than in the controls regardless of the average temperature at admission.In addition,systolic and diastolic blood pressure values at admission were higher in the cold-exposed group than in the controls.When stratified by hypertensive status,the average and minimum temperatures at admission were negatively associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure values in hypertensive patients.Reductions in the average and minimum temperatures at symptom onset were associated with more severe stroke.Conclusion:Ischemic stroke patients with symptom onset in winter had higher systolic blood pressure values and more serious neurologic deficits upon admission.

Experimental study of the mechanism of nanofluid in enhancing the oil recovery in low permeability reservoirs using microfluidics

Due to the low porosity and low permeability in unconventional reservoirs,a large amount of crude oil is trapped in micro-to nano-sized pores and throats,which leads to low oil recovery.Nanofluids have great potential to enhance oil recovery(EOR)in low permeability reservoirs.In this work,the regulating ability of a nanofluid at the oil/water/solid three-phase interface was explored.The results indicated that the nanofluid reduced the oil/water interfacial tension by two orders of magnitude,and the expansion modulus of oil/water interface was increased by 77% at equilibrium.In addition,the solid surface roughness was reduced by 50%,and the three-phase contact angle dropped from 135(oil-wet)to 48(water-wet).Combining the displacement experiments using a 2.5D reservoir micromodel and a microchannel model,the remaining oil mobilization and migration processes in micro-to nano-scale pores and throats were visualized.It was found that the nanofluid dispersed the remaining oil into small oil droplets and displaced them via multiple mechanisms in porous media.Moreover,the high strength interface film formed by the nanofluid inhibited the coalescence of oil droplets and improved the flowing ability.These results help to understand the EOR mechanisms of nanofluids in low permeability reservoirs from a visual perspective.

Pilot Test for Nitrogen Foam Flooding in Low Permeability Reservoir

Due to the characteristics of reservoir formation,the producing level of low permeability reservoir is relatively very low.It is hard to obtain high recovery through conventional development schemes.Considering the tight matrix,complex fracture system,low production level of producers,and low recovery factor ofMblock in Xinjiang oilfield,it is selected for on-site pilot test of nitrogen foam flooding.Detailed flooding scheme is made and the test results are evaluated respectively both for producers and injectors.The pressure index,filling degree,and fluid injection profile are found to be all improved in injectors after injection of nitrogen foam.The oil production,water cut and liquid production file are also improved in most of the producers,with the natural decline rate in the test area become slow.Results show that nitrogen foam flooding technology can be good technical storage for enhanced oil recovery in low permeability reservoir.

Controlled low central venous pressure reduces blood loss and transfusion requirements in hepatectomy

AIM:To evaluate the effect of low central venous pressure(LCVP)on blood loss and blood transfusion in patients undergoing hepatectomy.METHODS:Electronic databases and bibliography lists were searched for potential articles.A meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials(RCTs)investigating LCVP in hepatectomy was performed.The following three outcomes were analyzed:blood loss,blood transfusion and duration of operation.RESULTS:Five RCTs including 283 patients were assessed.Meta-analysis showed that blood loss in the LCVP group was significantly less than that in the control group(MD=-391.95,95%CI:-559.35--224.56,P<0.00001).In addition,blood transfusion in the LCVP group was also significantly less than that in the control group(MD=-246.87,95%CI:-427.06--66.69,P=0.007).The duration of operation in the LCVP group was significantly shorter than that in the control group(MD=-18.89,95%CI:-35.18--2.59,P=0.02).Most studies found no significant difference in renal and liver function between the two groups.CONCLUSION:Controlled LCVP is a simple and effective technique to reduce blood loss and blood transfusion during liver resection,and appears to have no detrimental effects on liver and renal function.

Research on Well Testing Interpretation of Low Permeability Deformed Dual Medium Reservoir

Considering the influence of quadratic gradient term and medium deformation on the seepage equation, a well testing interpretation model for low permeability and deformation dual medium reservoirs was derived and established. The difference method was used to solve the problem, and pressure and pressure derivative double logarithmic curves were drawn to analyze the seepage law. The research results indicate that the influence of starting pressure gradient and medium deformation on the pressure characteristic curve is mainly manifested in the middle and late stages. The larger the value, the more obvious the upward warping of the pressure and pressure derivative curve;the parameter characterizing the dual medium is the crossflow coefficient. The channeling coefficient determines the time and location of the appearance of the “concave”. The smaller the value, the later the appearance of the “concave”, and the more to the right of the “concave”.

Gating system optimization of low pressure casting A356 aluminum alloy intake manifold based on numerical simulation

To eliminate the shrinkage porosity in low pressure casting of an A356 aluminum alloy intake manifold casting, numerical simulation on fi lling and solidifi cation processes of the casting was carried out using the ProCAST software. The gating system of the casting is optimized according to the simulation results. Results show that when the gating system consists of only one sprue, the fi lling of the molten metal is not stable; and the casting does not follow the sequence solidifi cation, and many shrinkage porosities are observed through the casting. After the gating system is improved by adding one runner and two in-gates, the fi lling time is prolonged from 4.0 s to 4.5 s, the fi lling of molten metal becomes stable, but this casting does not follow the sequence solidifi cation either. Some shrinkage porosity is also observed in the hot spots of the casting. When the gating system was further improved by adding risers and chill to the hot spots of the casting, the shrinkage porosity defects were eliminated completely. Finally, by using the optimized gating system the A356 aluminum alloy intake manifold casting with integrated shape and smooth surface as well as dense microstructure was successfully produced.

Effect of pressurizing speed on filling behavior of gradual expansion structure in low pressure casting of ZL205A alloy

The mold filling behavior of gradual expansion structure in low pressure casting was studied by two phase flow model using the Volume of Fluid method, and was verified by water simulation with a Plexiglas mold. To get smooth mold filling process and provide a guide for the pressurizing speed design in the producing practice, the mathematical model with the pressurizing speed, expansion angle and height of the gradual expansion structure was established. For validation experiments, ZL205 A alloy castings were produced under two different pressurizing speeds. Weibull probability plots were used to assess the fracture mechanisms under different pressurizing speeds. Mechanical properties of ZL205 A alloy were applied to assess the entrainment of oxide film. The results show that the filling process of a gradual expansion structure in a low pressure casting can be divided into the spreading stage and filling stage by gate velocity. The gate velocity continues to increase in the gradual expansion structure, and increases with the increase of pressurizing speed or expansion angle. Under the effect of the falling fluid raised by the jet flow along the sidewall, the fluid velocity decreases in the jet zone from ingate to free surface. As such, oxide film entrainment does not occur when the gate velocity is greater than the critical velocity, andthe gate velocity no longer reflects the real state of the free surface. The scatter of the mechanical properties is strongly affected by the entrainment of oxide films.

Pressurization System in Low Pressure Tube Hydroforming

Advanced high strength steels are the group of material with high strength and good formability, because high strength lesser gauge thickness can be used without compromising the function of component. In terms of economic forming process, hydroforming is the manufacturing option which uses a fluid medium to form a component by using high internal pressure. This process gained steep interest in the automotive and aerospace industries because of its many advantages such as part consolidation, good quality of the formed part etc. The main advantage is that the uniform pressure can be transferred to whole projected part at the same time. Low pressure tube hydroforming considered an inexpensive option for forming these advanced high strength steel. This paper investigates the pressurization system used during the low pressure tube hydroforming cycle. It is observed that the usage of ramp pressure cycle during forming the part from low pressure tube hydroforming results in lesser die holding force. Also, the stress, strain and thickness distribution of the part during low pressure tube hydroforming are critically analysed.

Study of vortex in flow fields induced by surface dielectric barrier discharge actuator at low pressure based on Q criterion

Flow fields induced by a surface dielectric barrier discharge actuator at low pressure of 7 kPa are measured by particle image velocimetry. The distribution of local vortices in the flow field is revealed by the Q criterion. The reason for the generation of vortices is analyzed and the influence of pulse frequency and duty cycle on vortices is studied. The results show that the Q criterion can reveal the small-scale vortices, which cannot be indicated by the streamline. The direction transition zone where the induced jet moves from the vertical to the tangential and the shear layer between the jet and stationary air are prone to the generation of strong vortices. The influence of pulse frequency on vortices is not obvious, but the variation of duty cycle can significantly affect the strength and distribution of vortices.

Effects of Tightening Torque on Dynamic Characteristics of Low Pressure Rotors Connected by a Spline Coupling

A rotor dynamic model is built up for investigating the effects of tightening torque on dynamic characteristics of low pressure rotors connected by a spline coupling.The experimental rotor system is established using a fluted disk and a speed sensor which is applied in an actual aero engine for speed measurement.Through simulating calculation and experiments,the effects of tightening torque on the dynamic characteristics of the rotor system connected by a spline coupling including critical speeds,vibration modes and unbalance responses are analyzed.The results show that when increasing the tightening torque,the first two critical speeds and the amplitudes of unbalance response gradually increase in varying degrees while the vibration modes are essentially unchanged.In addition,changing axial and circumferential positions of the mass unbalance can lead to various amplitudes of unbalance response and even the rates of change.

THE PRODUCTION OF FOAM ALUMINIUM ALLOY BY LOW-PRESSURE INFILTRATION METHOD

The influence of technical parameters on the infiltrating height of the moltenmetal in the process of Producing aluminium alloy foam by low-pressure infiltration method were investigated.Experiments indicated that the height increases with the preheating temperature of granules,theexternal pressureand the pouring temperature of molten alloy,among which the action of pre heating temperature of granules is more effective.There exists a critical pre heating temperature for different size of granules.

A two-dimensional air streamer discharge modified model based on artificial stability term under non-uniform electric field at low temperature and sub-atmospheric pressure

In this paper, an improved air discharge fluid model under non-uniform electric field is constructed based on the plasma module COMSOL Multiphysics with artificial stability term, and the boundary conditions developed in the previous paper are applied to the calculation of photoionization rate. Based on the modified model, the characteristics of low temperature subatmospheric air discharge under 13 kV direct current voltage are discussed, including needle-plate and needle-needle electrode structures. Firstly, in order to verify the reliability of the model, a numerical example and an experimental verification were carried out for the modified model respectively. Both verification results show that the model can ensure the accuracy and repeatability of the calculation. Secondly, according to the calculation results of the modified model, under the same voltage and spacing, the reduced electric field under low temperature subatmosphere pressure is larger than that under normal temperature and atmospheric pressure. The high electric field leads to the air discharge at low temperature and sub atmospheric pressure entering the streamer initiation stage earlier, and has a faster propagation speed in the streamer development stage, which shortens the overall discharge time. Finally, the discharge characteristics of the two electrode structures are compared, and it is found that the biggest difference between them is that there is a pre-ionization region near the cathode in the needle-needle electrode structure. When the pre-ionization level reaches 1013 cm-3, the propagation speed of the positive streamer remains unchanged throughout the discharge process, and is no longer affected by the negative streamer. The peak value of electric field decreases with the increase of pre-ionization level, and tends to be constant during streamer propagation. Based on the previous paper, this paper constructs the air discharge model under non-uniform electric field, complements with the previous paper, and forms a relatively complete set of air discharge simulation system under low temperature and sub atmospheric pressure, which provides a certain reference for future research.

A two-dimensional air streamer discharge model based on the improved Helmholtz equation at low temperature and sub-atmospheric pressure

In this paper,an efficient boundary condition is applied to solve the photoionization rate,and a two-dimensional numerical simulation is carried out for the development and propagation of an air streamer at low temperature and sub-atmospheric pressure.The results show that the new boundary condition improves the calculation accuracy,but the influence of photoionization on the streamer discharge process is not obvious.The discharge current in the development of streamer discharge is defined,and the corresponding expression of the positive and negative streamer discharge current is given.The influence of the electric field exceeding the threshold value on the discharge process is preliminarily introduced.In the process of discharge,only the propagation velocity of the streamer is obviously higher than that of normal temperature and pressure,and the trend of the other parameters is basically the same as that described in the previous paper.The above results give us a deeper understanding of the discharge characteristics under low temperature and sub-atmospheric pressure,which has certain significance for the development of aviation and high voltage engineering.