A New Analysis on Convective Heat Transfer at the Edge of a SAGD Chamber
Qingmao (Laura) Li
Supervisor: Zhangxing (John) Chen
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Abstract:
In this presentation, a refined analytical theory about convection heat transfer has been developed based
on physical analysis and validated by comparison with field data. It shows that convection can provide a larger contribution of heat transfer than Conduction at the edge of a steam chamber, but drops very quickly over short distance normal to the interface. With negative effects on oil permeability, enhancement of heat transfer by convection brings approximate 2% oil production increment under typical Athabasca Oil Sands conditions. Considering large convection heat flux at the edge of a SAGD chamber, temperature at the edge of the steam chamber can be thought as constant with very minor error.