.

sP==77p

THEORETICAL
ANALYSI!5
OF THE STEAM PLATEAU
IN FORWARD IN-SITU
COMBUSTION

By

Byron

,To
Petroleum

Gulf

S.

be sub.~itted

to

Engineers

Research

Gottfried

the

for

Society

publication.

& Development

August

19,

of

Company

1963

-.

,.
.

..

..

,.

Theoretical

ANALYSIS

IN

FORWARD

OF THE

IN=SITU

STEAM

PLATEAU

COMBUSTION

by
Byron
Gulf

Research

S.

Gottfried

& Development

Company

~
A theory
plateau
zone

in
in

steady

the

in-situ

continuity

and

transfer

heat

loss.

in

shepe

heat

loss,

The

shape

of

of

reported

and

the

some

adiabatic

finite

initially.
distance

temperature.

is

steam
from
phase
The

plateau

obtained.

the

and

solution

flow
saturations

with

of

the

it

is

downstream

Saturation

of
phase
and

steam

saturation

is

profiles

are

combustion
required

fran

the

po

The
by externai
depressed.

in general

agreement

system.
only

water

need

that

the

steam

at

which

the

nt

predicted

sonewhat

requires

zone;

also

the

a corresponding
point

and,externai,

unaltered
,

temperature

inflection

quasi-

temperature.

remains

for

the

that
not

be

steam
present

piateau
peak

begin

combustion

and

the

in

the

steam

conduction-convection

point

.masurements

ahead

upon

inflection

temperature

the

based

the

ccxnbustion

changes

inflection-point

theoretical

Is

the

phase

d stribution

temperature

occurrence.of

system

at

theory

of

water-steam
an

system,

existence
from

describing

with

occurs

the

condenses

This

system

the

downstream

equations

experimntal

The

in

energy

the

the

predicts

distribution

linear

although

which

combustion.

distribution

generai

flcws

In an

temperature

developed

temperature

forward

heat

with

is

pressure

adjacent

downstream
,,

.the. c~bined
change,
pressure

ons

distribut

gradients

law
are

cent
and

also
hese

region.

quasi-steady
Darcyts

are

relat

shown

nuity.

presented
distributions
equations

ve-permeability
to

for

beessentialiy

the
result

for

three-

relationships.
constant

in

2.
the
.-

steam

plateau,

and

the

water

saturation

is

in excess

of

the

irreducible

value.

1NTRODUCT i ON
A cmnplete
a mathematical
tion,

the

thermal

aria

ysis

description

of

hydrodynamics
Ming

effects.

investigators

have

areas,

the

most

models

have

popular

the

in-situ

kinetics

downstream

fiuid

to

the

complexity

of

their

the

heat

fuel

to

in

and

oniy

the

one

accunpanying

of

most

these

Many

years

consump-

however,

probiem.

recent

involve

and

process,

transfer

literature

must

deposition

banks,
the

attentions

the

cc+nbustion

of

the

being
in

forward

of

confined

appeared

of

which

three

mathematical

ciaim

to

predict

the

approximate

adiabatic,
agree

linear
with

the

properly

ltsteam

plateaut
is

downstream
the

ahead

a combustion

of

1,2,3,4 These predicted

experimental

combustion

realistic

distribution

systems.

ccxnparable

so-called

forward

temperature

data
are

phase

That

unequivocally

temperature

profiles,

phase

temperature
the

neglected.

demonstrated

water-steam

because

such

which

intended

to

occur

can
5

in

To predict

al.

is

needed
from

not

produce

exist

et

downstream

do

which

a region

theory

in

profiies

changes

by Wiison,

a thermal

changes

front-t

to

the

describe

combustion

zone.
The
of
the

the

one

mechanism

resuiting

findings
of

present
causing

Wiison,
severai

is

the

soiutions

of
the

study

are
et

ai.

dominant

steam

provide
The

plateau.

discussed

in

Because

the

mechanisms

terms

of

present

a mathematical
general
the

description

characteristics
corresponding

theory

is

characterizing

concerned

forward

of
experimental
with

in-situ

onlY

ccmnbustion~

.de&ai.led.
it

..-

is

compari.sons
intended

to

.between
establish

theory
a theory

and
of

experirnen?
phase

change

are.

not

whtch

prps~ntqd?.
is

qualitatively

,~athec,

. .
,

,
.

3
This

correct.
the

process,

can

iater

resulting

quant.itativeiy

be ccmbined
in

with

other

a comprehensive

theoretical

theory

which

aspects
will

of

be

accurate.

THEORY
Problem

Statemen~
Consider

system
the

with

the

fioM

continuous

steam,

dry

gas,

of

gas,

water

vaporization
water

and

-*

of

oil

and
the

oii

water.

in a
The

iinear,

porous

continuity

equations

for

are

(ugPgfs)

+m=(7bt

(SgPgfs)

(i)

a
-x

Ugfg(i

& (UWPW).

If
and

rock
.-.

at

can

be written

the

water
,
variable

sane
as

foliows:

is

s)

1[
%

m =.0

0$

at

saturation

temperature

sg~g(i

fs)

(2)

(swpw~

(3)

(UOPO)

its

&

(soPO)

T,

temperature

(4)

Ts~

T > T.s, a_differentiai

and

the

gas,

enthalpy

oii
baiance

I
K=.&

CwT#A+Gg(T-T/

.{

&#J

ax

+ ugpg(l-f~)CgT+uwpwCwT~

%J%fs

y UOPOCOT

.
.Qem$

CwT~+k+Cg(T=T~)

(J sgpgf~

+ fK/#fJCgT+OSwpwCwTs+OSopoCoT+(

-Gf)PrCrT

.{[

let

the

temperature

rate

of

interphase

heat

(T-T~).

difference

The

(5)

transfer

evaporat

difference

the

rate.of

external
The

(T-Tr).

rate

of

heat

transfer

heat

loss

to

i sm can

then

be expressed

(T-T~)

as

(6)

be proportional
can

the

= h a

..

proportional

rnechan

ion

k + Cg(T-T9)
[

Let

be

to

be explicitly

the

expressed

temperature
as

I
Qe = hs

Substitution
the

simplified

Kg.

of
enthalpy

(U&&IWoPoco)

Equations

(1)

(T-Tr)

(4) and

(7)

(6) - (7) into

(5)

results

in

balance:

- h a (T-T5)

- h a

(T-Tr)

O(SgPgCg+SoPoCo)

+(l

(8)

Laboratory

measurements

of

temperature

profiles

iniinear

tube

-O)PrCc ~

experi-

.
. ments

reveal

state)?

a .steadys
Moreover,

t~te_r@lative
the

canbustion

to

themoving

cunbustion

zone

(quasi-steady

zone

progresses

d~nstreqm

with

a relatively

..

-.

,..
constant
of

the

ty.

Veloc
s ngle

Therefore,

ndependent

,the

analysis

can

be

expressed

n terms

variable
I

. .
g=x

Phys
from

tally,

moving

the

the

combustion

App ] y ng
results

in

var

the

able

v_t

(9)

~ represents

the

downstream

distance

zone,

above

transformation

to

Equations

(1)

(4)

and

(8)

..

,,
Jl_

Pf(u
gsg

d?
.[

~
dg

-gsgvc)

-m=

r),

(10)

pg(l -fJ(ugOsgvc)

=0

(11)

Pw (Uw -OSwVc)

+m=O

(12)

~
dg

PO(UQ

Osov=)

&!T

Pgcg(ug-usgvc)+

K dgi?

poCo(tio+7Sovc)-(l=O)prCrvc

Equations
,,

describe

(10)
the

flw

(13)

=0
I

(14)

are

the

of

gas,

.oii,

f ina I quasi-steady
water

and

heat

#-h

= O

(14)

differential
with

a(T-Ts)-ha(T-Tr)

evaporation

equat
of

ions
water

which
to

steam,

..
.

..-

-.
..

.:.

. .

,..

---

..

/%

,,

.,

6
Now consider

condensation
ture
T,

Ts,

of
and

the

let
If

TcT5.

the
steam

the
the

flow
in

of

the

water,

oil

gas
and

condensation

ml

gas,

rate

h+Cw(Ts

steaciy

by

the

same

and

phasei
rock

,Let

be

m 1 Is

-T)

at

oil
the

with
gas

a variable

given

continuous
be at

tempera-

temperature

by

=ha(T~

-T)

(15)

then

water

procedure

as

above

one

can

obtain

the

following

quasi-

equatibns:

&

pgf

Jug OSgVc),+m=O

P&l

- fs)(ug

- 0s9

=0

j_

Pw(uw

dg

- 0 Sw :=)

PO(UO

dg

.ml=o

(18)

=0

(19)

[.

J_

novc)
1

PwCw(Uw-~SwVc)+PoCo(Uo-@SoVc)-

(l-@PrCrVc

~-

h a(T-T5)--ha

(T-Tr)

.1

Observe
that
-.
and therefore

(17)

~ d2T
~-

(16)

Equations

(Ii)

and

(17) and ~quations

(20)

(13) land

(19) are identical

.

valid

in

regions

in wh ch either

= O

evaporation

or
.

condensation
.

.
occur.

.
,..

-..
,., ,,. .f,,

..

,.;

..

.,

,.

7
If
Isnegligible

the

sensible

compared

to

heat

of

the

the

latent

material
heat,

undergoing

phase

change

then

{21)

Using-th

s approximatim,

the

e expression

sing

~
d~
.
Similariy,

Equat

Equations
.,

pgf5

(Ug

(10)

-lasgvc)

For

ons

(i2)

Pw(uw

equations

the
is

and

(18)

can

Oswvc)

values
major
,,

ve

terms,

express

on

(in

be

replaced

by

(22)

replaced

by

the

sing.ie

equation

(23 ).

+~(T-Ts)=O

to

Equations
terms

of

representative

contribution

attributable

convect

be

numerical

experiments56,

can

~(T-Ts)=o

:,,

(16)

~
dg

and

the
(i4)

of

to

rock,
and

(20)

dimensionless

the

forward

convective

Neglecting

the

can

replaced

be

combustion
terms
other
by

in

tube
the

members
the

heat
of

the

singie

temperatures)

(24)

where
T-Tr

$=m

(25)

,,
. ... . .,
-T
+.=

;s .
m

Tr
r

(26)

. . .
..
.

..
/

(1-

~ =

O),

P,crvc

2K

. .

...

(27)

..

(28)

= hlal
Y~

(17),

.Equatlons
equations
steam
for

which,
plateau

regions

anaiysis
above

(0~~

been

provided
Temmrature

system

evaporation

by

(24)

are

the

boundary

conditions,

of

equations

or

condensation

replacing

two

separate

the

plateau,

quasi-steady

is

differential
describe

the

approximately

valid

occur.

the

systems

of

Thus,
equations

by

the

system.

condensed
h and

frcm
to

@ are

steam,

water,
set

Equations

equal

to

Distribution
The

observations

This

either

Downstream
has

(22)

appropriate

L).

simplified

singie

and

togetherwith

in which
is

(19)

(29)

foii.owing

(17),

(~ z

L),

where

(19)

and

(22)

ail
-

of
(24)

thes team
are

valid

zero.

boundary

conditions

are

compatible

with

physicai

5*.

1)

$(g=o)=i

2)

$ (~.= L)cont

3)

$$

.1

cent

..5=L
.

.. .
nuous

nuous

. 1,

~.
. .

-.
.,
.

.,
.,

. . -.

..

,-..

..

.,.

.
,.
.,

Integration

,..
conditions

of

(24)

Equaton

subject

to

the

above

boundary

gives
.

.(30)

= e -Cg

AaeRa5
.[

+ Ba

(31)

where

(32)

(33)

(34)

(Rl

- Ra)(l

2(RR

(Rl

+Rz)(l

2(R2

&=.

si.nh

sinh

RIL

-~

+ RI

cosh

)eRIL+

RZL+

Rk cosh

RIL)

(&+

Rz)~o

(35)

e@L

RXL)

(36)

(37)
RI (l-$ol)e

-*L

Rg sinh

. .

- to
RIL

(a
+ RI

slnh
cosh

RZL-. ~l--cosh
RIL

RI L
(38)

.,

,,

10

Equations
distribution
~inte

(30)

within

ated

and

(38)

allow

dcwnstrqam

calculation
fr~,the

steam

Ma
Integration

of

(i9)

Equation

of

the

temperature

Plat@au~
ure

,.

,.,,
gives

..

Combination
integration

resuits

g~o

(V. - Q So v=) = Go,

Q.

of

Equations

(23),

(25)

and

(30)

(39)

with

subsequent
,,

in

-$sw

Pw (Uw

Pw(uw

v&-

F(~),.

O~~~L

!JSwvc)=

F(L),

5zL

where
F(5)

(40)

(41)

(
j

ha(Tm:Tr)
~c
.h(p + 7)

Al (RZ+U)

e(R?-a)$

i +
.;

\
- (Rj +N)S ]] -74.<,,
l-e
.I
[,

B~(RJ,-w)

O~~;~L

(42 )

~
Combining
,

Equat!ons
.
.

Pg (Ug

j(ug

- @Sg

@ Sgv)

(17),

Vc)

(22),

=Gg+Gs

(25)

+F(5),

=Gg;.Gs-+F(L)j

and

(30)

and

integrating

(43)

O~5~L

~zL

yieids

(44)

Equat
and

on

(22)

can

be

combined

with

Equations

(25)

and

(30)

giving

integrated,

(45)

and
(j

Equation
edge

of

(46)
the

resuits
steam

For
condition

from

(46)

the

fact

that

fs

must

equai

zero

at

the

forward

piateau.

the

wiil

F(L)

= .

speci.ai

be

shown

case

where

iater),

p>>a,

(the

Equations

(42)

significance

of

(46) simpiify

and

this
to

(47)

Solving

for

Tm gives
f

Observe

that

pressure,

Tr
The

either

of

thermai

temperature
...
temperature;

at

a fixed

remaining

(48) are
these

is

fixed

rather

and

parameters
thermal

properties
which

constant

evaporation
itis

(except

properties
and

that

T~
L)

of,a

s a
on the

system
~ = O.

mass

fiuxes

at

of

water

will

occur,

of

the

length

,..
.

of

right

given

the

a function

function

is
of

the

side
or

system

of

Equation

are,functions

Thus
not

the

the

steam

Tm,

the

highest

combustion
plateau,

peak
specific

,...

.-

-.
,,

,
,.
. . . . .,...

.,

..

. ..

. ...

,,

.. .

.,

thermal

properties,

Equation
and

12

,.
and

(48).

the

It

beginning

temperature

of

and

fluxes.

that

the

the

steam
no

Pressure

Darcyis

mass

follows

containing

Saturation

the

point

plateau

liquid

It

is

of

maximum

are

determined

uniquely

combustion

separated

by
temperature

by a zone

of

variable

water.

Distributions

iawcan

be written

as

,.

..EL&
i

for

the.

aliows

i~

phase.

Combining

a solution

of the

Substituting
pressure

gradient

I.Li dg

saturation
Equation

results

law with

Darcys

(49)

into

the

substitution
pressure

and

(40)

mass

baiances

(39)

and

eliminating.the

in

()

kpG

of

integrated

distributions.

$swvc-~=~:+

Similarly,

the

af

gradient

Owo

Equation

(49)

@ so v=

into

(39)

(50)

and

(43)

with

eiiminatiofi

gives
G9+GS

+F(~)

fasgvc+

(51)

Equations
permeabil

(50)
ities

distribution
from
,.

....
the steam

and

(51),

together

(e;g,,as
within
plateau

in
the

ref.

steam
for

F(~)

M~+0s4

with

expressions

7), aiiow
piateau,
evaluated

for

three-phase

determination

The
at

equations
~ = L.

of
are

the

aiso

Because

reiative
saturation
vaiid

the

downstream

resulting

.
.

.,.

.,

13

equations

are

algebraically

however,

nanlinear~

an iterative solution. is
,.

required.
Combining

(39),

Equations

(45) and (49) and solving for:.ll$gives

(52j-

Thus, know ng the saturations~ .f~,c~n be calculated

(39)

Finaily~ Equations

directly

(49) can be c~bined

~nd

from Equation

end solved

(52)!

for the

pressure

gradient;

regulting.

in

(53)

With

the saturation

yielding

distribution

known, Equation

the pressur~ distribution

[53) can be integrated numericaiiyi

far ~ sO,

~
Temperaturel

saturation

fran the theory developed

1 through

6,

herein, and

Unless otherwise

for the required parameters

T~ R

the

distributions

resuits

indicatedon

the

are as iisted below:

Tm=31101
.,

and prwsure

300QF
. . ... . .

y = I@F

..

hsve been calculated

are ghown gr~phically

figures, the numericai

in Figures
values

14
ha

hs=

BTu/(hr)(~~ f~)(F)

JO(N)

JFZ

O BTU/(hr)(cu

ft)(F)

1 BTu/(hr)(~~

?=

0.40

Pr=

165lbs/(cu

Cr=

0,187

BTU/(lb)(F)

G=
9

l,i33

Ibs/(hr)(sq

G~= 0,1238

ft)(F)

ft)

ft)

lbs/(hr)(sq

ft)

GO=-0.08978lbs/(hr)(sq

ft)

k = 3 darc}es

Wc

=O*1O

po= 75 psia

The

value

for

the

steam

plateau

foran
a reverse

.,
zone.

inlet

Tmwas

air
net

flow

calculated

result
flux
of

fron

from
of20
oil;

Equation

an analysis

from

The

to

that

similar

SCF/(hr)(sq
i.e.,

(48).

ft).
the

The
steam

mass

presented

negative

plateau

fluxes

value
Into

the

entering
i.n ref.

for

Go designates

moving

. .

combustion
..
...
.

15
.,
DISCUSS
Figure
ahead

of

(30)

case

of

as

the

s plotof

combustion

zone.

The

shown

by

.6 greater

of

$ = $0

change>
1

Cooperman

than
in

iOOO,

the

steam

resembling

consistently

by Wiison,

the

rock

equal;
the

temperature

thus,
phase

the

heat

heat

is

gain

through

transfer

the

the

in

solution

plateau

et.

al.

and

the

adjacent
rate

within

into
sand

inflection
of

5 .

decay
in

Physically,

steam

saturation

spread

out

the

physical

grains

to

a smaii

the

element

fluid
of

voiume

For

been
for

value

observed
@ results

being

beccmes

values

Temperature

value

a.large

the

a fixed

i have

iarge

nature

in

profile.

temperature

over

decay,

downstream.

force

iimiting

occurs

the

Fig,

the

driving

the

approaches

profiie

Equations

exponential
point

a fattening

asymptotic

frcm

simple

exponential

distance

O represents

asymptotically

with

the

P=

exhibits
an

against

calculated

to

As p increases,

consequently

insight

were

soiution

temperature-difference

change
To

of

and
,

values

resulting

distributions

in

These

temperatures

corresponding

distribution,

of

dimensionless

distribution

no phase

temperature
,.

is

(38).

ION

very

very

neariy

smali,

and

distance.

of

i3, consider

within

the

the

pore

conduction
The

space.

AV is

Ka(T-T)
q =

in this
is

of

of

heat

then

expression,
the

order
transfer

h is

empioyed

5,
of

the
in

the

approximately
by-Wilsrm,
.=

et.

AV

a characteristic
radius

of

distance
an average-sized

steam

plateau

equal

toi@and

al,5~

p has

is

(54)

across
sand

attributable
@-a/b.

been-calculated

.which

heat
If

grain.
primarily

For
to

the
be

isconducted,

to

crushed
of

the

the

mechanism

heat

conduction,

Berea
order

sandstone

of 107
. .. . .

ft.

-2

- 16
Thus,

the

assumptions

relatively
are

large

(a,lthough

derivation

conservative)

of

value

Equation

for

(48),

13 chosen

for

that

steam

and
the

the

figures,

justified.
Experimental

steadily
predicted

of

the

can

temperature

increases

be

length

of

the

i,

2 ft.

and

does

not

with

steam

results

on

affect

khe

a consequence

shape

of

the

, although

the

such

of
quas

rate

downstream

shown

flat

portion

temperature

steady-state

Fig.
of

which

arbitrary
2 for

the

is

L = 1/2,

profile
Such

decay.

condition,

effect
profile

for

In

cannot

the

profiles

are
the

increase

temperature

temperature

extends

of

plateau

Nevertheless,

dimensionless

calculations

the

the

the

herein.

several

L s reply

Increasing

reveal

developed

plateau

of

time

by calculating
The

L.

profiles

derations

cons

be established
of

ength

In

from

values

is

in the

required

and

behavior

basic

to

the

theory.
D mensionless
of

the

loss

heat

to

orT=

As y

depressed,
This
the

in

and

Ts

accordance
in

Fig.

A small
forward
heat

combustion
balances

:heat

from

the

as

in

The

hcwever,
had

steam

net
plateau

the

as

at

and

is

remains
not

unaffected,

imply

an appreciable

values

$ =*0,

temperature

does

@ >~,

calculated

y = O

occurs

profile

profile
to

sigtiificance

labeled

plateau

of

Ts

the

curve
point

steam

long

show

that

extent.

Tm increases
for

Ti

and

with
Tm are

7,

TI

below

experiments

indicate,

experiments

equal

of

reduction

The

inflection

dropsbelow

(48).

a function

tube

adiabatic
loss

Equation

3.

temperature
Ti

almost

the

which

flattening

dimensionless

remain

Fig

dimensionless

temperature

with
4 as

and

the

ons

in

characteristic

the

point

Ti

shown

the

shown

system

increased

although

inflection

yin

is

distribut

y are

an adiabatic

depression

Rather,.

..

parameter

corresponds
Ts.

temperature

Ts has

been

performedat
-.

heat

that

some

losses
alone

of

this
the

while

cannot

consistently
laboratory.

automatically
others

be

observed

had

determined,

in

Integrated
controlled,

net

heat
This

gains
precludes

near5

Th~

.
a

17
mea n ngful
ts o

resu
are

The

directiy
it

adiabatic

system,

an

result

control.

control

along

the

were

to

only

is

tion

and

that

steam

mass

water
the

cooling

combustion

of

steam

the

that

the

apparatus,

rather

the

is

by

of

water

system

the

near-

distribution
controlled

control

data

measured

system

with

to

severai

observed
the

on-off
However,

referred

at

than

heaters

such results.

produce

the

could

herein

intervals

infection
result

points

of

phase

.
that

Ali

controlled,

experimental

gradients

at

the

from

theory
system

the

water

zone.

point

is

required

vapor

in

in

for
the

of

it

boundary.

combustion

inflection
that

independent

khe

is;

water

however,

This
system

with

the
zero

of.the

gases

flowing

satura-

necessary

explains

occurrence.

combustion

both

.
initial

inflection
ahead

point

of

the

zone.
The

.>

could

temperature

and

systems.

a feedback

possibility

observed,

5.

of

Figs.

automatically

the

the

saturation

the

experimental

in

temperature

Therefore,

flux

experimentally

the

in which

obtain

the

autmaticaily

temperature

significant

enter

in

use

and

presented

radial

discounted,
is

point

the

to

theory

uncontrolled

in an

particular,

induced.

It

to

that,

manner

employed

artificially

change,

the

,.

calculations
only

a prescribed

upon

tube

loss

inflection

in

system

heat

remarked

from

relative

depended

is

be

programmed.

this part of the

applicable

should

conceivably

the

cal

theoret

therefore

were

between

ccxnparison

plateau
(52).

fluid
are

(50)

that

the

saturations

the

steam

plateau,

saturation
shown

in. Fig.

distributions

5.

These

andtherelative-permeabi
are
The

about
shapes

within

lity
equal
of

the

values

and
were

obtained

expressions

and

that

the

saturat;on

downstream

given
water

profiles

in

is

mobile
are

from

the

from

Equations

ref.

7.
in

Observe

most

comparable

of
to
...-

the

corresponding

temperature

profiles,

viz.

a marked

flattening

within

the

steam

p ateau

and

steam

p ateau

requires

two

conditions

The

frrm

the

left

fore

decreases
water

is

rations

obtained

($

are

as

in

downstream
,

steam,

of

mass

addition

of

be

possibie

combustion
some

progress

a high-speed
sive

theory

a complete
-,-.,

..

-----

dashed

resuits

the

most

may

energy

and
saturation

(53).

decrease

to

at

of

temperature

the

from

$ = O.

reservoir

gas
the

The

satu-

temperature

5.

Fig,

resuiting

pressure

magnitude

in

resuit

distribution
The

the

there-

the

of

zones,

saturation

piateau,

side

these

gas

decays

right

since

~ approaches

The

temperature

the

as

steam.

properties

of

condensation

saturation

pressure

frcm

% = L,

oii

the

significant

equations
reaction

in

the
linear

be made

digital
should

the

increasing
. .

formulation

establish

process

at

= O at

nature

from

decreases

linearly

pressure

gradient

the

dependence

of

the

physical

fluid.

a chemical
to

the

Equation

region

and

in

normalized
of

steam

physical

lines

the

mathematical

expiicit

the

The

the

the

as

fs

water
of

increase

plateau,

Finally,
the

the

viscosity

6 shows

the

in the

The

downstream.

vaporization

condensation

by evaluating

within

to be

the

decay

5 = O and
the

Beyond

integration

properties

of

increase
by

and

shown

numerical

the

bounds

and

density

Fig.

caused

or

Sw = O at

sudden

saturations
in

the

the

growth

accordingly,

changes

=0)

that

define

respectively,

and

an, exponential

in

production

of

the

[n

regions

term

and

Although
these

the

salient

resuiting
features

oxygen
the

believed

establishment

of

occur.

equation$
entire

forward

numerically
frcrn
of

such

shouid
in-situ

are
with

the

By
it

solutions

history.
. .

is

changes

analytical

equations

study

the

phase

describe

The solutions
of

present

viz,,

an explicit

systems.

all

the

where

which

solving

of

problem;

equations

computer,
describe

result

the

impossible,
aid

a comprehen-

process,

including

of

I-- ~
19
CONCLUSIONS
1)

The

steam

Is

consistently

observed

tube experlments5,

is caused by a change

water

described

herein.

The

differences

within

and

phase

steam

change

I
zcm~iii~

as

to

not

,.

be

maximum
can

specific

Inan

distributionoccurs
cause

plateau

uxes
abatic

at

the

;polnt

near-adiabatic

in phase between

character

zed

thus

ng the

caus

by

very

$n~~he.,temperatu.re;di

the

in,fllectitm

point

s,tr.i,-

to

occur!

begins

temperature.

thermal

by

distance

maximum

the
of

the

the

inflection

point

of

saturated

steam,

the

inflection

downstream

temperature

length

properties

temperat~re
in

some
The

determined

system,

depression

in

distance,

generally

and

ad

a small

large

is

medium,

tially~foti.

s uniquely
f

porous

$.

combustion

mass

4),

over

. ..

occur

the

pr~sent~:ini

steam

phenomenon

df.the.lmflection

. :
The

of

evaporation

losses

out

klater:ine~d

point

and.by

spread

Thetbccutrence.

3)
the

be

2)

,.,.,,

which

forward combustion

sma 11temperature

plateau,

of

the

from

at

which

steam

plateau

system.
in

the

.,

temperature

External

heat

point;temperature

and

. .
significant

Increase
5)

distributions
within
plateau

most

in

the

For

the

are

practically

of

the

change

maximum

numerical

steam

evaporation

example

chosen

constant
plqteau,

exponentially

and

The

because

temperature.

of

the

in

this

saturations

saturations
the

study,

the
are

downstream

dependence

of

saturation

about
from

density

equal
the

and

steam
viscosity

on temperature.

6)
plateau.
in magnitude

The

Downstream
as

the

pressure
from

distribution
the

temperature

steam

is essentially

plateau

the

pressure

linear

gradient

in

the

steam

increases

..-,

decays.

--.,

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The
J.
and
is

E, Warren,

author
and

suggestions.
also

appreciated.

expresses
L.
The

A.

tdilson

assistance

his

appreciation

for

their
of

R.

to

numerous
R.

Clay

J.

H.

helpful
in

checking

Henderson,
discussions
the

mathematics
b

.
.

..

..

.,

...

21

.,
SYMBOLS
-

constant

of

constant

ofintegration,

-.

phase-change
. .

Ax
,

.4

,,

,
.

...

a
al

,.,

integration,

heat

dimensionless

(cf.

Equation

(35))

dimensionless

(cf.

Equation

(37))

transfer

area
.,

per

unit

external

heat

BL.

constant

of integration,

dimensionless

Bz

constant

of

dimensionless

Cg

-.

co

Cr
c

w.,

heat

ioss

area

integration,

cepacity

gas,

BTU/(

heatcapacity

of

011,

BTU/(ib)(F)

heat

capacity

of

rock,

heat

capacity

of

wateri

a functi,onof

F(L)

F(s)

fs

weight

G9

at

dry

gas

of

oil

entering

mass

fltix.of

steam

phase-change

external

thermal

heat
heat.

k9

permeability

of

gas

the
the

Equation

phase,

permeability

of

i~phase,.

k.

permeability

of

oil

kw

permeability

Equation

(36))
(38))

(42))

dimensioni,ess

steam

plateau

piateau

steam

phase,

at

plateau

coefficient,

at

5 =0,

~ = O,

ibs/(hr)(sq

ft)

lbs/(hr)(sq

ft)

at ~ = O, ibs/(hr)(sq ft)

BTU/(hr)(sq.ft)

BTU/(hr)(sq

(1.bs

(cf.

steam

formation,

ki

{cf.

phase,

the

coefficien~,,

permeability,

- of

gas

entering

conductivityof

absolute

iength

in

transfer

k-

ft)

entering

loss

(cf. Equation

ft)

steam

of

Gs

-i

BTU/(lb)(F)

fiux
flux

ft

(F)

lbs/(hr)(sq

of

volume,

ft!

BTU/(lb)(F)

mass
mass

lb)

lbs/(hr)(sq

fraction

h-

(~),

g =i,

Go

.,

unit

of

F(g)-

per

volume,

(F)

ft)(F)

BTU/(hr)(ft)(F)

mass)(ft)/(PSiA)(hr)3
(ibs
(ibs

mass)(ft)/(PSiA)(hr)2

(Ibs

of water phase,
-.
steam
plateau,
ft

mass)(ft)/(PSIA)(hr)a

(lbs

mass)(ft)/(PSiA)(hr)s
rnass)(ft)/(PSiA)(hr)2
.. .
. . . ..

.&
.:

.
.

... . .

..

.. .

. .

22
evaporation

m-

rate?

condensation

Q=

rate

Rl

f-,

ft-

v-;

ft-l
,dimensionlqss

saturation,

dlrmnsionless

water

saturation,
water

temperature,

inflection

Tm

steam

plateau

reservoir

T~

steam

saturation

time.,

nrs.

~ = 0,

temperature

gas

velocity,

(CU

ft)/(hr)(sq

ft)

oil

veloc;ity,

(CU ft)/-ihr)(sq

ft)

small

element

spatial

(1-@) ~Cr~c/2K;

ft-

ha/K,

ft-2

Y-

at
F.

temperature,

velocity,

X.

temperature

water

,AV

dimensionless

temperature,

-.

ft)

u0
u

BT.U/(hr)(cu

saturation,

point

Tr

dimensionless

irreducible

T.i

t-

heat loss,

externa

saturation,

.T.

$ =

gas

Sw
sWc

at

of

oil

ft)

0, ?s A

pressure

PSIA

so

ft)

lbs/(hr)(cU

P.

s9

hla

(CU ft)/(hr)(sq
of

volume,

coordinate,

/K,
,.

,..

ratej

pressure,

P-

lbs/(hr)(cu

cu

ft)
ft

ft

ft-2
.

..

..

23
mean

radiusof

heat

of

sand

gra

vaporization

of

viscosity

of

PI

viscosity

of Ifi phase,

W.

viscosity

of oil,

I-Lw

viscosity

of water,

Vc

velocity

of

distance

frcn

gas

Pi

density

F?.

oil

Pr

rock

(lb

BTU/lb

(lb ma4s)/(ft){hr)

(lb mass)/
(lb mass)/

c~,b.ustlon

zone,

combustion

dens,ity,

water,

.,,

mass)/

kg

s-

gas

n, ft

ft/(hr)

zone,

ft

lbs/(cuft)

of

l~phase,

density,

lbs/(cu

mine.r~l

lbs/(cu

ft)

ft)

density,

lbs/(cu

ft)

,,
Pw
~-

water

density,

porosity,

lbs/(cu

f;)

.dlmensionless

dimensionless

temperature;

d mens

onless

steam

d mens

onless

constant,

saturation
+$
()

(T*:
,-

{Im

Tr)
-

Ir)

temperature,

(Ts -

Tr)

(Tm - Tr)

..
. .
-<. -.

:--

----

.
,.

,.
24
REFERENCES
1,

2.

Cooperman~

P.> SOMEI Criteria

J.

Phvs.

Applied

Bailey, H.

R.

and

Combustion,
3*

Baker,

, Xl,

P.

E.,

B.

AiME.

Couch,

E.

Temperature

J.

and

Underground
5n

Wilson,
IISome
2,,

6,

2,

Effects
P.

Wilson,
Fluid

A.,

127

L,

Situ

Conduction
p.

320

Combustion.

of

Crude

01 i,

- Convection

in

Underground

(1960).

Proflies

in

Underground

Combustion,

SPE

Journai,

Selig,

Reed,
of

in

~ 1
F.

Combustion
L,

K.,

219<

2,1,P.21(1962).
4.

the

1376 (1959).

P.

Larkin,

Trans.

for

F.,

The

Significance

Processesi,
R.

L.,

pressure

Erdol

Reed,
on

0,

Forward

of

Ciay,

and

Reverse

Transport

for

(1962),

andK6hl

W,,

Heat

R.

R.,

Harrison,

N,

Combustion~

SpE

H,,
JOUrII*~

(1963).

A.t

Wygal,

Dynamics

R,

During

J.,

an

Reed,

D.

W,?

Underground

R.

Gerg/ns,

Corrikius.tign

L,,

and

Process,

Henderson,

Trans.

J,

~,

~,

J.,

Three-

H,,
r

p. 146 (1958).
7.

8,

Corey,

A,

Phase

Relative

Reed,

R.

Combustion

,..

T.,

RathJens,

C,

H.,

Permeability,

L.,

Reed,
in

Tar

D.

W.,

Sands,

Henderson,

J,

&YetroL.
and
Trans.

Tracht,
~)

H,

~,
J.

H,,
2)9$

and
p.

Wyliie,
63,

Nov.,

Experimental
P.

99(1960)~

.
,!

M,

R.

195i.
Aspects

of

Reverse.

..

.
n

,,.
Q
-

.*

*
(3,

0,

. ..

..

.,.
..
.

u)
Id
-1

. .

IA

. .
-.

i.
1.

.,..,.:.

...

.-

..

cd
- w(/)

u)
Id
-J

a,
0

z
~

UI

z
w

co

m,

N,

*
.

. . ..,,

..

.,.

,.

..-.

,_,-

900

.. . .

700
.,

600

400

276

i)

,,

272
100

300

10

0.1

7,

FT.-2

FIGURE
VARIATION

OF MAXIMUM

AND INFLECTION

POINT

TEMPERATURES WITH HEAT 10SS PARAMETER

..

-,
.,

,.

,!,

0.6

. ..

STEAM PLATEAU

0.5

0.4

is
0.3
-.-.

SW

--

Q.z
.

,,
0.1
,
.,.

0.2

0.4

0.6

,0.8

I .2

Lo

~,m.
FiGU,RE
FLUID

;
5

SATURATION., PROFILES

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

,,-

,.

. . .

.!

STEAM PLATEAU

l.m

0.86

$ 0.66 -,,,

a.

,.
-

094

..:

,,
.
-

0.82

.,
0.80

0.2

0.4

0.6

FIGURE
DIMENSIONLESS
..

1.2

Lo

0.8

~.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

PRESSURE PROFILE

,.
I