Visual high-temperature foam performance testing device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a visual high-temperature foam performance testing device which comprises a gas transmission system, a constant-temperature circulating system, a shooting system and a foam performance evaluation system, and the gas transmission system is connected with the foam performance evaluation system through a bottom valve of a double-layer chromatographic column at the bottom; and the constant-temperature circulating system is connected with the foam performance evaluation system through a connector on the left lower side and a connector on the right upper side of the double-layer chromatographic column. The visual high-temperature foam performance testing device is connected with a constant-temperature circulating system to analyze the performance of high-temperature foam. The constant-temperature circulating system is composed of a constant-temperature water bath box, a water pump and a high-temperature-resistant silicone tube, and uniform heating of the double-layer chromatographic column is achieved through jacket water circulation. High-purity distilled water is used in the water bath box, heat stability is guaranteed, the total cost of components is far lower than the price of a high-temperature foam analyzer adopting an airflow method in the market, and low-cost and efficient temperature control is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of oil and gas field chemistry and enhanced oil recovery technology, specifically a visual high-temperature foam performance testing device. Background Technology

[0002] Foam flooding, a core method in tertiary oil recovery, primarily addresses the challenge of residual oil extraction after traditional waterflooding. During waterflooding, the viscosity difference between oil and water easily leads to fingering, resulting in a sweep efficiency of less than 40% and significant amounts of crude oil remaining in the formation. Foam systems, through the synergistic effect of gas and surfactants, form high-viscosity foam fluid, significantly improving the mobility ratio. Its unique gas-liquid two-phase structure generates the Jamin effect in the pores, selectively blocking high-permeability channels and forcing the displacing fluid to flow into low-permeability areas. This technology is particularly suitable for highly heterogeneous, high-temperature, and high-salinity reservoirs. Field applications show it can increase oil recovery by 8-15%, making it a key replacement technology for oil and gas production enhancement in my country.

[0003] In oil and gas engineering, foam performance measurement technology is of great significance for optimizing oil and gas extraction and improving recovery rates. Currently, commonly used foam performance testing methods in the industry include the Ross-Miles method, the Waring-Blender method, and the gas flow method. The Ross-Miles method, due to its high degree of standardization, is often used for testing oilfield chemicals; however, its static testing makes it difficult to simulate the high-pressure, high-shear dynamic environment downhole, leading to biases in foam stability assessment under high-speed pumping conditions. The Waring-Blender method simulates actual conditions through high-speed shear, but insufficient standardization results in poor data comparability, and vigorous agitation can damage the foam's microstructure, failing to reflect the slow decay process in formation pores; therefore, it needs to be combined with other methods for complementary verification. The gas flow method can monitor the foam generation and bursting process in real time, and its parameters (gas flow velocity, pressure) are flexible and controllable, making it particularly suitable for optimizing gas injection processes and assessing the foam stability of complex fluids (high viscosity, containing particles). The gas flow method can dynamically simulate the gas injection scenario in foam-assisted oil recovery, and its data has a stronger fit to dynamic downhole conditions.

[0004] Currently available high-temperature foam analyzers employ all three testing methods. The Ross-Miles method is primarily used for quality control of daily chemical products, such as the GRM-51A Ross foam analyzer, but it is not suitable for the oil and gas industry. The Waring-Blender method is suitable for high-temperature testing in oil fields and chemical plants that require simulating stirring scenarios, such as performance evaluation of foam drilling fluids. Chinese patent document CN112098602A provides a high-temperature and high-pressure foam evaluation device, whose foaming method corresponds to the Waring-Blender method. However, it requires manual inversion of the cylinder to transfer the foam. Liquid residue or incomplete foam transfer may occur in the foaming area, requiring additional cleaning steps. If the residue is not completely removed, it may affect the accuracy of subsequent experiments. Moreover, its corresponding Waring-Blender method does not match the foaming method in the foam-driven process. High-temperature foam analyzers using the airflow method are more suitable for foam-driven oil environments, but these devices are generally expensive. For example, the high-temperature and high-pressure foam analyzer from TECLIS in France costs between 1 million and 2 million yuan, which is a high purchase cost for research institutions or small and medium-sized enterprises with limited budgets. Chinese patent document CN208206720U provides a variable temperature foaming agent evaluation device that can be used for Waring-Blender and airflow methods. However, when using the airflow method, the heating and insulation device is only wrapped around the outside of the measuring cup, which may lead to uneven temperature distribution. Moreover, the foamer relies on compressed air to supply gas and lacks flow and pressure control devices, which may lead to fluctuations in gas input and affect the consistency of foaming agent performance evaluation.

[0005] Therefore, in the field of foam flooding technology, there is an urgent need for a high-temperature foam analysis device that uses the airflow method, is low-cost, and accurate enough to analyze the performance of high-temperature foam and provide support for foam flooding technology. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a visual high-temperature foam performance testing device to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0008] A visual high-temperature foam performance testing device includes a gas transmission system, a constant temperature circulation system, an imaging system, and a foam performance evaluation system. The gas transmission system and the foam performance evaluation system are connected through a bottom valve of a double-layer chromatography column. The constant temperature circulation system and the foam performance evaluation system are connected through a connection port on the lower left side and an interface on the upper right side of the double-layer chromatography column.

[0009] Preferably, the gas transmission system includes a gas source, a gas source valve, a peristaltic pump, and a gas pipeline. The gas source includes carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air, and flue gas. The gas source valve is connected to the peristaltic pump through the gas pipeline, and the peristaltic pump is connected to the bottom valve of the double-layer chromatography column through the gas pipeline.

[0010] Preferably, the constant temperature circulation system includes a constant temperature water bath, a water pump, and water pipes. The water pump is connected to the constant temperature water bath via water pipes. The water pipes connect the constant temperature water bath to the water pump, the water pump to the foam performance evaluation system, and the foam performance evaluation system to the constant temperature water bath. The water in the constant temperature water bath is high-purity distilled water, and its stable temperature range is from room temperature to 90°C. The water pipes are made of silicone tubing that can withstand 200°C.

[0011] Preferably, the foam performance evaluation system includes a double-layer chromatography column and a rubber stopper. The double-layer chromatography column includes a bottom valve, a lower left connection port, an upper right connection port, a jacket between the outer and inner layers, a cavity inside the inner layer, and a sand core at the bottom of the inner layer. The bottom valve is connected to a gas pipeline, and the lower left and upper right connection ports are connected to a water pipeline.

[0012] Preferably, the sand core is of type G2, and its filter plate pore size is at the micrometer level.

[0013] Preferably, the shooting system includes a shooting device and a display device, and the display device and the shooting device are connected wirelessly.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0015] 1. This visualized high-temperature foam performance testing device analyzes the performance of high-temperature foam by connecting to a constant-temperature circulation system. The constant-temperature circulation system consists of a constant-temperature water bath, a water pump, and high-temperature resistant silicone tubing. Uniform heating of the double-layer chromatography column is achieved through jacketed water circulation. The water bath uses high-purity distilled water to ensure thermal stability. The total cost of its components is significantly lower than that of high-temperature foam analyzers using the airflow method on the market, achieving low-cost and efficient temperature control.

[0016] 2. This visualized high-temperature foam performance testing device features a jacketed system where constantly circulating, temperature-controlled water wraps around the inner cavity, ensuring uniform heat transfer. The sand core aperture design ensures even gas dispersion, reducing bubble merging and bursting, and improving test repeatability. A peristaltic pump replaces the traditional direct supply of compressed air, and combined with gas source valves and pipelines, it achieves precise control of gas flow rate and volume, supporting mixed input from multiple gas sources (CO2, N2, etc.).

[0017] 3. This visual high-temperature foam performance testing device is equipped with a camera and a display device, which can record foam height, morphological changes, and half-life in real time, and supports image analysis. Image analysis quantifies foam performance parameters, improving the objectivity of the evaluation.

[0018] 4. This visualized high-temperature foam performance testing device can combine shear force simulation (stirring) with airflow foaming to more closely resemble actual oil displacement conditions, such as the dynamic decay of foam in pores. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.

[0020] In the diagram: 1. Gas source; 2. Gas source valve; 3. Peristaltic pump; 4. Gas pipeline; 5. Bottom valve of the double-layer chromatography column; 6. Sand core; 7. Jacket between the outer and inner layers; 8. Cavity inside the inner layer; 9. Double-layer chromatography column; 10. Lower left connection port of the double-layer chromatography column; 11. Upper right connection port of the double-layer chromatography column; 12. Rubber stopper; 13. Water pump; 14. Water pipeline; 15. Constant temperature water bath; 16. Imaging device; 17. Display device. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0022] This utility model provides a technical solution for a visual high-temperature foam performance testing device:

[0023] Example:

[0024] The device mainly consists of a gas transmission system, a constant temperature circulation system, an imaging system, and a foam performance evaluation system. The gas transmission system and the foam performance evaluation system are connected through the bottom valve 5 of the double-layer chromatography column. The constant temperature circulation system and the foam performance evaluation system are connected through the lower left connection port 10 and the upper right interface 11 of the double-layer chromatography column. The imaging system takes pictures of the foam performance evaluation system through the imaging device 16.

[0025] The gas transmission system includes a gas source 1, a gas source valve 2, a peristaltic pump 3, and a gas pipeline 4. The gas source 1 includes carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air, and flue gas. The gas source valve 2 is connected to the peristaltic pump 3 via the gas pipeline 4. The peristaltic pump 3 is connected to the bottom valve 5 of the double-layer chromatography column via the gas pipeline 4. The peristaltic pump 3 can control the flow rate, volume, and duration of its output gas.

[0026] The constant temperature circulation system includes a constant temperature water bath 15, a water pump 13, and water pipes 14. The water pump 13 is connected to the constant temperature water bath 15 via the water pipes 14. The water in the constant temperature water bath 15 is high-purity distilled water, and its stable temperature range is from room temperature to 90°C. The water pipes 14 are made of silicone tubing that can withstand 200°C. The water pipes 14 connect the constant temperature water bath 15 to the water pump 13, the water pump 13 to the foam performance evaluation system, and the foam performance evaluation system to the constant temperature water bath 15, forming a water circulation system to maintain the temperature of the foam performance evaluation system.

[0027] The foam performance evaluation system includes a double-layer chromatography column 9 and a rubber stopper 12. The double-layer chromatography column 9 includes a bottom valve 5, a lower left connection port 10, an upper right connection port 11, a jacket 7 between the outer and inner layers, a cavity 8 inside the inner layer, and a sand core 6 at the bottom of the inner layer. The bottom valve 5 is connected to a gas pipeline 4, and the lower left and upper right connection ports 10 and 11 are connected to a water pipeline 14. The double-layer chromatography column 9 is made of high borosilicate glass that can withstand temperatures from 300℃ to 500℃. Circulating water can flow into the jacket 7 between the outer and inner layers of the double-layer chromatography column 9. The circulating water enters through the lower left connection port 10 and exits through the upper right connection port 11. The rubber stopper 12 is a high-temperature resistant glass container sealing plug.

[0028] Among them, the sand core 6 is of type G2, and its filter plate pore size is at the micron level. The inner cavity 8 is kept at a constant temperature under the action of water circulation in the jacket 7 between the outer and inner layers, and the foam morphology is generated and changes in the inner cavity 8.

[0029] The imaging system includes an imaging device 16 and a display device 17, which are connected to the imaging device 16 via a wireless signal. The imaging device 16 captures images of the morphology of the foam inside the inner cavity 8, and can display the morphological changes of the foam within the inner cavity 8.

[0030] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A visual high-temperature foam performance testing device, comprising a gas transmission system, a constant temperature circulation system, an imaging system, and a foam performance evaluation system, characterized in that: The gas transmission system and the foam performance evaluation system are connected through the bottom valve (5) of the double-layer chromatography column at the bottom. The constant temperature circulation system and the foam performance evaluation system are connected through the lower left connection port and the upper right interface of the double-layer chromatography column. The gas transmission system includes a gas source (1), a gas source valve (2), a peristaltic pump (3), and a gas pipeline (4). The gas source (1) includes carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air, and flue gas. The gas source valve (2) is connected to the peristaltic pump (3) through the gas pipeline (4). The peristaltic pump (3) is connected to the bottom valve (5) of the double-layer chromatography column through the gas pipeline (4). The constant temperature circulation system includes a constant temperature water bath (15), a water pump (13) and a water pipe (14). The water pump (13) is connected to the constant temperature water bath (15) through the water pipe (14). The water pipe (14) connects the constant temperature water bath (15) to the water pump (13), the water pump (13) to the foam performance evaluation system, and the foam performance evaluation system to the constant temperature water bath (15). The water in the constant temperature water bath (15) is high-purity distilled water, and its stable temperature range is from room temperature to 90°C. The water pipe (14) is made of silicone tubing that can withstand 200°C. The foam performance evaluation system includes a double-layer chromatography column (9) and a rubber stopper (12). The double-layer chromatography column (9) includes a bottom valve (5), a lower left connection port (10), an upper right connection port (11), a jacket (7) between the outer and inner layers, a cavity (8) inside the inner layer, and a sand core (6) at the bottom of the inner layer. The bottom valve (5) is connected to a gas pipeline (4), and the lower left connection port (10) and the upper right connection port (11) are connected to a water pipeline (14).

2. The visual high-temperature foam performance testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sand core (6) is of type G2, and its filter plate pore size is at the micrometer level.

3. The visual high-temperature foam performance testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shooting system includes a shooting device (16) and a display device (17), which are connected to the shooting device (16) via wireless signals.

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