Foam Solution for Heavy Oil Profile Control Using Ash Residues
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heavy oil thermal recovery processes, existing technologies face challenges in effectively utilizing oily sludge and ash residues generated from incineration, leading to environmental pollution and inefficient resource utilization, with high coal consumption and limited economic benefits.
Innovation Solution
A foam solution comprising a foaming agent, oil-containing sludge mixed coal combustion ash residue, a dispersant, and water, where the foaming agent is a mixture of sodium hexadecylbenzene sulfonate and sasanquasaponin, and the ash residue is used to enhance temperature resistance and stability, allowing for efficient profile control and plugging in heavy oil thermal recovery processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If incineration treatment technology is used for oily sludge, then treatment speed and harmless degree are improved, but comprehensive utilization rate is reduced and crude oil resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful oily sludge into a beneficial resource by using it as a fuel component in foam solutions for oil well profile control. The oily sludge is mixed with coal dust to prepare molded coal for combustion, transforming waste into a useful energy source that drives thermal recovery processes while controlling water coning issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of oily sludge by processing it into foam solutions with specific gas-liquid ratios, foam concentrations, and rheological properties. This transformation enables the sludge to function as an effective profile control agent rather than merely a waste product to be incinerated.
2Stability of the object's composition
If particle foam stabilizer is used, then foam stability is improved, but cost increases due to expensive nano-particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive nano-particle foam stabilizers with cheaper, conventional foam stabilizing agents that can be effectively used in the oily sludge-based foam system. The oily sludge itself contributes to foam stability through its compositional characteristics, reducing reliance on costly additives while maintaining adequate foam performance for profile control applications.
3Productivity
If foam solution is used for profile control, then oil yield is improved, but effective utilization of oily sludge and ash residues is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns multiple functions to oily sludge and its combustion ash residues. The oily sludge serves as both a fuel source for thermal recovery and a base component for foam solution preparation. The ash residues generated from combustion are then utilized as fillers or additives in the foam solution, creating a circular utilization system that maximizes resource value while supporting enhanced oil production.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The foam solution effectively controls profile and plugging in heavy oil thermal recovery, increases oil yield, utilizes ash residues resourcefully, reduces coal consumption, and offers a cost-effective solution with high economic benefits.
Implementation Method 1
The foaming fluid is a gas-liquid two-phase or gas-liquid-solid three-phase fluid consisting of a foaming agent, a foam stabilizer
Implementation Method 2
A foam solution comprising a foaming agent, oil-containing sludge mixed coal combustion ash residue, a dispersant, and water
Data Source
AI summary
A foam solution for profile control and plugging in heavy oil thermal recovery process, a preparation method thereof, and a method for profile control and plugging.