About the Project
Background:
Wettability, namely interfacial tension and contact angle, is essential for multiphase flow in porous media, as it controls the microscale displacement scenarios and fluid distributions (Zhou, et al, 2013, 2015). In petroleum industry, wettability plays key role for many Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) processes, such as low salinity water flooding (LSF, also named as smart water and LoSal® by BP) and surfactant flooding. However, lab measurements of in-situ wettability could be really challenging due to its harsh conditions (high pressure and high temperature). Instead of lab measurements, Molecular Dynamic Simulation (MDS) provides us alternative approach to model wettability at the molecular scale (Derksen, 2015), what’s more, the effects of rock mineral constituent and fluid composition, as well as temperature and pressure on wettability could be investigated extensively.
Objectives:
The main objective of this work is further developing the MDS model (Derksen, 2015) to model wettability, interfacial tension and contact angle, in the context of EOR processes. The secondary objectives are:
1. Simulate the static interfacial tension and contact angle under various conditions, such as temperature, pressure, solid and fluid compositions; and compare the simulated results with those from lab measurements.
2. Investigate the effects of surface roughness and mineral heterogeneity on static contact angle.
3. Simulate the dynamic contact angle and droplet deformation under shear and study the contact angle hysteresis under various conditions, under various fluid and solid material compositions, as well as temperature and pressure.
4. Investigate the oil recovery mechanism for LSF and surfactant flooding in terms of wettability and wettability alteration.
The successful candidate should have, or expect to have, an Honours Degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent) in Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering or General Engineering.
Knowledge of: Fluid dynamics, Molecular Dynamics and programming, Enhanced oil recovery.
Funding Notes
This project is for self-funded students only. There is no funding attached to this project. The successful applicant will be expected to pay Tuition Fees and living expenses, from their own resources, for the duration of study.
References
1. Zhou, Y., Helland, J. O., & Hatzignatiou, D. G. (2015, June 1). Computation of Three-Phase Capillary Pressure Curves and Fluid Configurations at Mixed-Wet Conditions in 2D Rock Images. SPE Journal. doi:10.2118/170883-PA.
2. Zhou Y, Helland J, & Hatzignatiou DG, 2013, A Dimensionless Capillary Pressure Function for Imbibition Derived From Pore-Scale Modeling in Mixed-Wet-Rock Images, SPE Journal, Vol: 18, Pages: 296-308, ISSN: 1086-055X.
3. Derksen, J., 2015, Droplet sliding over shearing surfaces studied by molecular dynamics, AICHE Journal, 61(11): 4020–4027.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
This project is advertised in relation to the research areas of the discipline of Petroleum Engineering. Formal applications can be completed online: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply. You should apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering, to ensure that your application is passed to the correct College for processing.
NOTE CLEARLY THE NAME OF THE SUPERVISOR AND EXACT PROJECT TITLE YOU WISH TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ON THE APPLICATION FORM. Applicants are limited to applying for a maximum of 2 projects. Any further applications received will be automatically withdrawn.
Informal inquiries can be made to Dr Y Zhou (Yingfang.zhou@abdn.ac.uk) with a copy of your curriculum vitae and cover letter. All general enquiries should be directed to the Graduate School Admissions Unit (cpsgrad@abdn.ac.uk).
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