Author(s)

Deng Maoyun, Zhou Chunxiao, Zhang Yuan, Ren Haitao, Li Hao

Corresponding Author

Deng Maoyun

Abstract

The light oil is injected into the layer and mixed with heavy oil through tools, so as to achieve the purpose of viscosity reduction. Among them, the performance of mixer directly affects the viscosity reduction effect of heavy oil and the energy consumption of mining machinery. Firstly, a new type of static helical-jet mixer is proposed, which achieves mixing through the principle of “micro-porous jet & helical turbulence flow”. Secondly, the CFD of mixing performance is carried out, and the key parameters such as span angle, helix angle, perforation diameter, perforation density and differential pressure between inlet and outlet to unevenness coefficient and dilution ratio is obtained. Finally, According to the working conditions of oil viscosity of 4520.90 mPa. s and pressure difference of 5.60 MPa in oil production area stratum in Tahe Oilfield, Xinjiang, a mixer for docking 3-1/2” tubing is designed to achieve an unevenness coefficient of 0.076, which is a significant improvement over the performance of conventional tailpipe-type dilution tools. The research results have laid a theoretical foundation for the on-site engineering application of the tool, and can also provide a new reference for improving the level of heavy oil dilution and mining technology.

Keywords

Heavy oil recovery, dilution and viscosity reduction, mixer, numerical simulation, structural optimization