Equation of state model development and compositional simulation of enhanced oil recovery using gas injection for the West Sak heavy oil

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2007West Sak oil field, with its very huge reserves of heavy oil, has the potential of supplementing the declining light oil production on the Alaska North Slope. Due to the heavy nature of oil, its phase behavior is very complex. A proper understanding of the phase behavioral changes of the West Sak oil is crucial to design any enhanced oil recovery scheme. Such Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques are essential in the absence of natural drive mechanisms in these reservoirs. For the proper selection of any EOR technique, reservoir simulation studies should prove its viability. Accordingly, a complete phase behavior analysis of the West Sak crude oil was carried out. All the available experimental data was scrutinized and a model equation of state was developed that should describe the phase behavior of West Sak oil. After having done that, reservoir simulation was carried out to study the implications of employing gas injection as an EOR technique for the West Sak reservoir. It was found that a definite increase in heavy oil production can be obtained with proper selection of injectant gas and optimized reservoir operating parameters. A comparative analysis is provided which should help in making such a decision.1. Introduction -- 1.1. Overview -- 1.2. Objectives -- 2. Literature review -- 2.1. Phase behavior of petroleum reservoir fluids -- 2.1.1. Peng-Robinson equation of state -- 2.2. Tuning of equation of state -- 2.2.1. Tuning procedure -- 2.2.1.1. Splitting the plus fraction -- 2.2.1.2. Critical properties correlation -- 2.2.1.3. Grouping schemes -- 2.2.1.4. Tuning parameter selection -- 2.3. WinProp -- 2.4. West Sak reservoir -- 2.4.1. Geologic overview -- 2.4.2. Petrophysical properties -- 2.5. Enhanced oil recovery -- 2.5.1. Miscible displacement processes -- 2.5.2. Gas injection -- 2.6. Reservoir simulation -- 3. Methodology -- 3.1. Equation of state model development -- 3.2. Reservoir simulation -- 3.2.1. Model development -- 3.2.2. Enhanced oil recovery -- 4. Results and discussions -- 4.1. Equation of state -- 4.2. Reservoir simulation -- 4.2.1. Vertical five-spot injection pattern -- 4.2.2. Horizontal injection pattern -- 5. Conclusions and recommendations -- 5.1. Conclusions -- 5.2. Recommendations -- References -- Glossary -- Appendices

Notes on Super Projective Modules

Projective modules are a link between geometry and algebra as established by the theorem of Serre-Swan. In this paper, we define the super analog of projective modules and explore this link in the case of some particular super geometric objects. We consider the tangent bundle over the supersphere and show that the module of vector field over a supersphere is a super projective module over the ring of supersmooth functions. Also, we discuss a class of super projective modules that can be constructed from a projection map on modules defined over the ring of supersmooth functions over superspheres.Comment: Revised version due to diagrams being not rendered properl

Finite element simulation of low velocity impact loading on a sandwich composite

Sandwich structure offer more advantage in bringing flexural stiffness and energy absorption capabilities in the application of automobile and aerospace components. This paper presents comparison study and analysis of two types of composite sandwich structures, one having Jute Epoxy skins with rubber core and the other having Glass Epoxy skins with rubber core subjected to low velocity normal impact loading. The behaviour of sandwich structure with various parameters such as energy absorption, peak load developed, deformation and von Mises stress and strain, are analyzed using commercially available analysis software. The results confirm that sandwich composite with jute epoxy skin absorbs approximately 20% more energy than glass epoxy skin. The contact force developed in jute epoxy skin is approximately 2.3 times less when compared to glass epoxy skin. von Mises stress developed is less in case of jute epoxy. The sandwich with jute epoxy skin deforms approximately 1.6 times more than that of same geometry of sandwich with glass epoxy skin. Thus exhibiting its elastic nature and making it potential candidate for low velocity impact application

Behavior of sandwich structures and spaced plates subjected to high-velocity impacts

This work evaluates the behavior of sandwich and spaced plates subjected to high-velocity impacts. The sandwich structures were made of glass/polyester face-sheet and a PVC foam core. The spaced plates were made of two plates of the same material of the sandwich face-sheet at a distance equal to the core thickness. The residual velocity, the ballistic limit, and the damage area were selected to compare the response of both structures. The residual velocity and ballistic limit was very similar in both cases. Nevertheless, the damage area of sandwich structures and spaced plates differed due to the dissimilar properties between the sandwich core and the air inside of the spaced plates. An analytical model, based on energy criteria, was applied to estimate the residual velocity of the projectile, the absorbed energy by each facesheet, and the ballistic limit in the spaced platesSpanish Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia; contract grant number: TRA2007-66555.Publicad

Use of eco-friendly epoxy resins from renewable resources as potential substitutes of petrochemical epoxy resins for ambient cured composites with flax reinforcements

[EN] In the last years, some high renewable content epoxy resins, derived from vegetable oils, have been developed at industrial level and are now commercially available; these can compete with petroleum-based resins as thermoset matrices for composite materials. Nevertheless, due to the relatively high cost in comparison to petroleum-based resins, their use is still restricted to applications with relatively low volume consumption such as model making, tuning components, nautical parts, special effects, outdoor sculptures, etc. in which, the use of composite laminates with carbon, aramid and, mainly, glass fibers is generalized by using hand layup and vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) techniques due to low manufacturing costs and easy implementation. In this work, we study the behavior of two high renewable content epoxy resins derived from vegetable oils as potential substitutes of petroleum-based epoxies in composite laminates with flax reinforcements by using the VARTM technique. The curing behavior of the different epoxy resins is compared in terms of the gel point and exothermicity profile by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, overall performance of flax-epoxy composites is compared with standardized mechanical (tensile, flexural and impact) and thermal (Vicat softening temperature, heat deflection temperature, thermo-mechanical analysis) tests. The curing DSC profiles of the two eco-friendly epoxy resins are similar to a conventional epoxy resin. They can be easily handled and processed by conventional VARTM process thus leading to composite laminates with flax with balanced mechanical and thermal properties, similar or even higher to a multipurpose epoxy resin. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers.This work is part of the project IPT-310000-2010-037, "ECOTEXCOMP: Research and development of textile structures useful as reinforcement of composite materials with marked ecological character" funded by the "Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion", with an aid of 189540.20 euros, within the "Plan Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica, Desarrollo e InnovacionTecnologica 2008-2011" and funded by the European Union through FEDER funds, Technology Fund 2007-2013, Operational Programme on R+D+i for and on behalf of the companies."Bertomeu Perelló, D.; García Sanoguera, D.; Fenollar Gimeno, OÁ.; Boronat Vitoria, T.; Balart Gimeno, RA. (2012). Use of eco-friendly epoxy resins from renewable resources as potential substitutes of petrochemical epoxy resins for ambient cured composites with flax reinforcements. Polymer Composites. 33(5):683-692. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.22192S683692335Alves, C., Ferrão, P. M. C., Silva, A. J., Reis, L. G., Freitas, M., Rodrigues, L. B., & Alves, D. E. (2010). Ecodesign of automotive components making use of natural jute fiber composites. Journal of Cleaner Production, 18(4), 313-327. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2009.10.022JOHN, M., & THOMAS, S. (2008). Biofibres and biocomposites. Carbohydrate Polymers, 71(3), 343-364. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2007.05.040Mohanty, A. K., Misra, M., & Drzal, L. T. (2002). Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 10(1/2), 19-26. doi:10.1023/a:1021013921916Pillin, I., Kervoelen, A., Bourmaud, A., Goimard, J., Montrelay, N., & Baley, C. (2011). Could oleaginous flax fibers be used as reinforcement for polymers? Industrial Crops and Products, 34(3), 1556-1563. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2011.05.016Summerscales, J., Dissanayake, N. P. J., Virk, A. S., & Hall, W. (2010). A review of bast fibres and their composites. Part 1 – Fibres as reinforcements. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 41(10), 1329-1335. doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2010.06.001Sreekumar, P. A., Saiah, R., Saiter, J. M., Leblanc, N., Joseph, K., Unnikrishnan, G., & Thomas, S. (2009). Dynamic mechanical properties of sisal fiber reinforced polyester composites fabricated by resin transfer molding. Polymer Composites, 30(6), 768-775. doi:10.1002/pc.20611Mu, Q., Wei, C., & Feng, S. (2009). Studies on mechanical properties of sisal fiber/phenol formaldehyde resin in-situ composites. Polymer Composites, 30(2), 131-137. doi:10.1002/pc.20529Sever, K., Sarikanat, M., Seki, Y., Erkan, G., Erdoğan, Ü. H., & Erden, S. (2012). Surface treatments of jute fabric: The influence of surface characteristics on jute fabrics and mechanical properties of jute/polyester composites. Industrial Crops and Products, 35(1), 22-30. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2011.05.020Wood, B. M., Coles, S. R., Maggs, S., Meredith, J., & Kirwan, K. (2011). Use of lignin as a compatibiliser in hemp/epoxy composites. Composites Science and Technology, 71(16), 1804-1810. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2011.06.005Eichhorn, S. J., Baillie, C. A., Zafeiropoulos, N., Mwaikambo, L. Y., Ansell, M. P., Dufresne, A., … Wild, P. M. (2001). Journal of Materials Science, 36(9), 2107-2131. doi:10.1023/a:1017512029696Dissanayake, N. P. J., Summerscales, J., Grove, S. M., & Singh, M. M. (2009). Life Cycle Impact Assessment of Flax Fibre for the Reinforcement of Composites. Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy, 3(3), 245-248. doi:10.1166/jbmb.2009.1029Masudul Hassan, M., & Khan, M. A. (2008). Role of N-(β-amino ethyl) γ-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane as Coupling Agent on the Jute-polycarbonate Composites. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 47(8), 847-850. doi:10.1080/03602550802188862Zaman, H. U., Khan, M. A., & Khan, R. A. (2009). Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Jute Fibers-Polyethylene/Polypropylene Composites: Effect of Green Dye and UV Radiation. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 48(11), 1130-1138. doi:10.1080/03602550903147262Zou, Y., Xu, H., & Yang, Y. (2010). Lightweight Polypropylene Composites Reinforced by Long Switchgrass Stems. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 18(4), 464-473. doi:10.1007/s10924-010-0165-4De Arcaya, P. A., Retegi, A., Arbelaiz, A., Kenny, J. M., & Mondragon, I. (2009). Mechanical properties of natural fibers/polyamides composites. Polymer Composites, 30(3), 257-264. doi:10.1002/pc.20558Twite-Kabamba, E., Mechraoui, A., & Rodrigue, D. (2009). Rheological properties of polypropylene/hemp fiber composites. Polymer Composites, 30(10), 1401-1407. doi:10.1002/pc.20704De Rosa, I. M., Iannoni, A., Kenny, J. M., Puglia, D., Santulli, C., Sarasini, F., & Terenzi, A. (2011). Poly(lactic acid)/Phormium tenax composites: Morphology and thermo-mechanical behavior. Polymer Composites, 32(9), 1362-1368. doi:10.1002/pc.21159Christian, S. J., & Billington, S. L. (2011). Mechanical response of PHB- and cellulose acetate natural fiber-reinforced composites for construction applications. Composites Part B: Engineering, 42(7), 1920-1928. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2011.05.039Hodzic, A., Coakley, R., Curro, R., Berndt, C. C., & Shanks, R. A. (2007). Design and Optimization of Biopolyester Bagasse Fiber Composites. Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy, 1(1), 46-55. doi:10.1166/jbmb.2007.005Bax, B., & Müssig, J. (2008). Impact and tensile properties of PLA/Cordenka and PLA/flax composites. Composites Science and Technology, 68(7-8), 1601-1607. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.01.004Leite, M. C. A. M., Furtado, C. R. G., Couto, L. O., Oliveira, F. L. B. O., & Correia, T. R. (2010). Avaliação da biodegradação de compósitos de poli(ε-caprolactona)/fibra de coco verde. Polímeros, 20(5), 339-344. doi:10.1590/s0104-14282010005000063Saiah, R., Sreekumar, P. A., Gopalakrishnan, P., Leblanc, N., Gattin, R., & Saiter, J. M. (2009). Fabrication and characterization of 100% green composite: Thermoplastic based on wheat flour reinforced by flax fibers. Polymer Composites, 30(11), 1595-1600. doi:10.1002/pc.20732Campaner, P., D’Amico, D., Longo, L., Stifani, C., & Tarzia, A. (2009). Cardanol-based novolac resins as curing agents of epoxy resins. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 114(6), 3585-3591. doi:10.1002/app.30979Raju, & Kumar, P. (2011). Cathodic electrodeposition of self-curable polyepoxide resins based on cardanol. Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, 8(5), 563-575. doi:10.1007/s11998-011-9337-yRao, B. S., & Palanisamy, A. (2011). Monofunctional benzoxazine from cardanol for bio-composite applications. Reactive and Functional Polymers, 71(2), 148-154. doi:10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2010.11.025Chen, L., Zhou, S., Song, S., Zhang, B., & Gu, G. (2010). Preparation and anticorrosive performances of polysiloxane-modified epoxy coatings based on polyaminopropylmethylsiloxane-containing amine curing agent. Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, 8(4), 481-487. doi:10.1007/s11998-010-9311-0Ghosh, K., Garcia, P., & Galgoci, E. (1999). Recent advances in epoxy curing agent technology for low temperature cure coatings. Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, 46(2), 100-110. doi:10.1108/00035599910263215Seniha Güner, F., Yağcı, Y., & Tuncer Erciyes, A. (2006). Polymers from triglyceride oils. Progress in Polymer Science, 31(7), 633-670. doi:10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2006.07.001Tsujimoto, T., Uyama, H., & Kobayashi, S. (2010). Synthesis of high-performance green nanocomposites from renewable natural oils. 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Single-Polymer Composites (SPCs) : Status and Future Trends

Preparation, properties and applications of single-polymer composites (SPCs), representing an emerging family within the polymeric composite materials, have been surveyed. SPCs were classified in respect to their composition (one- and two-constituents), and preforms (non-consolidated and consolidated). SPCs composed of amorphous or semicrystalline matrices and semicrystalline reinforcements were considered. Methods to widen the temperature difference between the matrix- and reinforcement-giving materials of the same polymer (one-constituent) or same polymer type (two-constituent approach) have been introduced and discussed. Special attention was paid to the unsolved questions related to the interface/interphase in SPCs. It was emphasized that the development of SPCs is fuelled by the need of engineering parts in different applications which have low density and “ultimate” recyclability (i.e. reprocessing via remelting). Recent development of SPCs is supported by novel preform preparation, consolidation and production possibilities