NUMERICAL STUDY OF OIL SLUG MOBILIZATION IN A CAPILLARY TUBE

This research investigates the effects of pore dimensions and smoothness on the mobilization of residual oil trapped inside pore structures. A model of water-filled uniform capillary tube with an oil slug trapped inside is employed as a simplified model for numerical simulation study. Pressure difference between two ends of the tube is being measured. The influence of the inner surface shape of the tube is mostly considered in this research. Based on the measurements of the capillary tubes used in experiments, a sine curved shape is employed to represent the inner surface of the capillary tube. Series of results have been obtained from the simulation. According to the results, the pressure difference required to mobilize the oil slug is inversely proportional to the smoothness of the tube inner surface shape.