Development of an installation for studying the flow of liquid in microcapillaries

About the authors:

Artem A. Velizhanin, Postgraduate Student, Earth Cryosphere Institute, Tyumen Scientific Centre of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; artem.velizhanin@mail.ru

Boris V. Grigoriev, Cand. Sci. (Tech.), Associate Professor, Department of Applied and Technical Physics, Institute of Physics and Technology, University of Tyumen; b.v.grigorev@utmn.ru

Sergey G. Nikulin, Head of the Basic Department of Oil and Gas Flow Measurement, University of Tyumen; s.g.nikulin@utmn.ru

Denis A. Vazhenin, Engineer, Department of Mechanics of Multiphase Systems, Institute of Physics and Technology, University of Tyumen; vazhenin_1987@mail.ru

Daria V. Vakhnina, Engineer, Department of Applied and Technical Physics, Institute of Physics and Technology, University of Tyumen; d.v.vakhnina@utmn.ru

Abstract:

The article is dedicated to the creation of an installation for studying the flow of fluids through microcapillaries. This installation is of scientific interest for the development of digital models of the oil fluid flow through the pore space of the rock. Elaboration of the hydrodynamic modeling parameters will allow more accurate selection of technology for the extraction of hydrocarbon reserves from the bowels. The purpose of the work is to develop an installation and a technology for studying flows in microcapillaries. To achieve this goal, a selection of tomographic images of core samples was collected and three main channel shapes were identified, based on the images, in accordance with which microcapillaries were made from cylindrical glass tubes. Fluids are selected for pumping through the created capillaries. The installation for studying the flow of liquid in microcapillaries was assembled, the testing of the installation made it possible to identify and analyze its limitations and features of exploitation. The improvement of the installation provided more extensive data on the processes occurring in the microcapillary. A technique for conducting experiments and data recording has been worked out, automated data collection from a differential pressure sensor with the possibility of visual control using a personal computer has been implemented. Further modernization of the developed installation may allow conducting research on a bundle of capillaries of various shapes, simulating a network of channels of a real rock. The result of this work is the creation of an experimental installation that makes it possible to study the flow of liquids in microcapillaries of various shapes. Comparison of the results between series of experiments showed a high degree of repeatability, which eliminates the errors of the measurements. The obtained data were analyzed and compared with theoretical calculations.

References:

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