HTHP SFG Pressure Cell With Salinity Control for Oil-Brine Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for improving hydrocarbon recovery in oil production, such as water injection, lack effective tools to characterize the interactions between oil, brine, and rock formations under reservoir conditions, limiting the optimization of recovery techniques.
Innovation Solution
A pressure cell system for Sum Frequency Generation (SFG) spectroscopy that simulates reservoir conditions, allowing for the characterization of molecular and chemical structures and interfaces of oil/brine samples by controlling salinity, pressure, and temperature, and includes a salinity control system and heating stage to analyze fluid/fluid and fluid/rock interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water injection is used to improve hydrocarbon recovery, then the yield of hydrocarbons can be increased, but the ability to characterize interactions between phases under reservoir conditions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified model system that copies the essential features of reservoir conditions (high temperature, high pressure, controlled salinity) to study oil-brine-rock interactions. This model allows characterization of phase interactions without requiring actual reservoir extraction, thus resolving the information loss problem while maintaining productivity improvement goals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system (spectroscopic techniques) that mediates between the water injection process and the characterization need. This intermediary enables direct observation and measurement of interfacial phenomena at the molecular level, providing the missing information about phase interactions
2Productivity
If salinity and ionic strength are controlled to improve rock wettability, then hydrocarbon recovery can be enhanced, but the complexity of controlling multiple parameters (salinity, pressure, temperature) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-functional pressure cell system that simultaneously controls temperature, pressure, and salinity within a single integrated apparatus. This universal system performs multiple functions (heating, pressurizing, salinity control) that would otherwise require separate devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enabling enhanced hydrocarbon recovery through parameter control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control of salinity, pressure, and temperature into a single integrated experimental setup. By combining these parameter control functions in one system rather than using separate apparatus, the patent reduces the complexity of managing multiple independent control systems while achieving the desired hydrocarbon recovery enhancement
3Measurement precision
If spectroscopic techniques are used to characterize molecular structure and interfaces, then understanding of phase interactions is improved, but the ability to simulate reservoir conditions (high temperature and pressure) is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic experimental system that can adapt spectroscopic measurement capabilities to varying reservoir conditions. The system dynamically adjusts temperature and pressure while maintaining spectroscopic measurement capacity, allowing precise molecular characterization under conditions that mimic actual reservoir environments, thus resolving the limitation of static measurement systems
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
Enables better understanding of the effects of salinity and ionic strength on rock wettability, leading to improved hydrocarbon recovery predictions and optimized injection solutions by recreating reservoir conditions in a controlled environment.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane coupled to the sample inlet, where the membrane is configured to reduce a salinity level of the liquid sample
Implementation Method 2
a heating stage, disposed in the interior of the metal pressure chamber, that heats the liquid sample
Implementation Method 3
a chamber pump, connected to the interior of the metal pressure chamber, that pressurizes the interior of the metal pressure chamber
Implementation Method 4
a sum frequency generation microscope comprising a first light source that generates light of a first variable frequency, a second light source that generates light of a second frequency, and a detector that detects light
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure cell includes a metal pressure chamber, a heating stage, disposed in the interior of the metal pressure chamber, that heats the liquid sample, a chamber pump, connected to the interior of the metal pressure chamber, that pressurizes the interior of the metal pressure chamber, a salinity control system including a membrane coupled to the sample inlet, where the membrane is configured to reduce a salinity level of the liquid sample, and a controller that controls the chamber pump, the salinity control system, and the heating stage to control a pressure of the interior of the metal pressure chamber, a salinity level of the liquid sample, and a temperature of the liquid sample, respectively. The metal pressure chamber includes a liquid sample holder, a removable lid, a window in the removable lid, a sample inlet, and a sample outlet.