A New Approach to Simulation of the Boundary Layer in the Vapor Extraction Process

Mohammad Kariznovi, Hossein Nourozieh
Supervisor: Zhangxing (John) Chen
43

Abstract

Generally, there are several models to simulate the boundary layer in the vapor extraction process. In this paper, the stationary phase model and three phase flow model have been demonstrated. The simulation results show several conclusion. Solvent and the bitumen occupy separate spaces within the pores. New phase for the solvent in the simulator simulate Vapex more reliably and accurately. The model result for the Lloydminster heavy oil extracted by propane shows that the boundary layer can be captured within a grid block. Using small grid blocks are unnecessary to handle the transition zone. The coarse grid blocks introduce numerical dispersion that succeeds the physical dispersion. Proposed model can match the experimental result with a smaller dispersion coefficient. Difference between the dispersion coefficients of the two models is due to the numerical dispersion associated with coarse grid blocks.