Microfluidic Cell for Electrical Enhanced Oil Recovery Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for equipment and methods to effectively characterize and enhance pore throat size and permeability in rock formations for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications, particularly for electrical EOR (EEOR), to optimize electric current parameters and treatment time.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device comprising a substrate with metal electrodes, a glass window, and a current-voltage analyzer, which allows for the application of electrical current to simulate EEOR conditions and measure changes in pore throat size and oil mobilization, enabling the determination of optimal voltage and treatment time for EEOR processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrical current is applied to enhance pore throat size for EOR, then oil recovery efficiency is improved, but the complexity of laboratory testing equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a microfluidic device that creates a simplified copy or model of the complex porous rock structure. By fabricating artificial porous media with controlled pore throat geometries using photolithography and epoxy molding, the system replicates essential rock pore characteristics in a manageable format that can be tested with standard laboratory equipment while still providing meaningful EOR data.
2Measurement precision
If detailed characterization of pore throat structure is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex porous rock structure into discrete, controllable pore throat elements with specific geometries (e.g., different throat sizes, shapes, and connectivity patterns). This segmentation allows each pore throat type to be individually characterized and measured using standard microscopy and imaging techniques, making the overall characterization process more manageable while maintaining high precision.
3Productivity
If optimal electrical current parameters are determined through extensive testing, then oil production efficiency is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of pore throat structures and establishes baseline relationships between electrical current parameters and pore throat enlargement effects using the microfluidic device. By conducting these preliminary experiments on simplified, controlled models first, the system identifies optimal electrical parameters more quickly before applying them to actual EOR operations, significantly reducing the time required for field-scale parameter optimization.
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 device enables precise characterization and enhancement of pore throat size, optimizing EEOR conditions for increased oil production efficiency and reduced costs by determining the ideal electrical parameters for pore throat enlargement and oil mobilization.
Implementation Method 1
EEOR uses electricity to reduce oil viscosity by increasing the temperature
Implementation Method 2
a current-voltage analyzer connected to the metal electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a microfluidic cell including a substrate and metal electrodes disposed on the substrate, a glass window disposed over the substrate, a current-voltage analyzer connected to the metal electrodes, and an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the microfluidic cell. A method of fabricating the device includes photolithographically exposing site for the metal electrodes utilizing a photoresist, depositing the metal electrodes on the substrate, and photolithographically patterning the substrate. A method of measuring pore throat size changes and oil mobilization includes connecting a current-voltage analyzer to a microfluidic cell and sweeping a current through the microfluidic cell via the current-voltage analyzer.