CFD simulation of propane combustion in a porous media: application to enhanced oil recovery of heavy oil reservoirs

Abstract

In-situ combustion process is a widely used approach as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method in shale and heavy oil reservoirs. In this present contribution, normal propane combustion has been investigated in a porous media. In this regard, fluid flow and heat transfer equations coupled with reaction network of propane combustion in a porous media and solved with COMSOL software. A good agreement was observed between modeling results and experimental investigation of propane combustion (AARD equal to 6.99%). Although hydrodynamic of propane combustion in porous media and its effect on the concentration distribution of materials has been studied.

Keywords:

• CFD simulation
• EOR
• in-situ combustion
• porous media
• propane combustion