Mechanistic modeling of the dynamic resistance behavior in betaine-type surfactant stabilized supercritical CO 2 foam flooding processes in porous media

Numerical studies are performed concerning the resistance behaviors of Betaine-type surfactant stabilized ScCO2 foam two phase displacement processes in porous media. Based on the specific foam rheology properties as well as the properly fit maximum bubble density nmax in the mechanistic Stochastic Bubble Population Balance (SBPB) model, the numerical studies reproduce satisfactorily the dynamic resistant characteristics in the foam flooding processes in reported laboratory works under various temperature and salinity conditions. Numerical results show the nmax value decreases from 630 to 80 mm−3 along with the increasing temperature from 60 to 120 °C, while increases from 140 to 1,470 mm−3 with the increasing salinity from 20,000 to 250,000 mg/L. The dominant role of the nmax parameter is revealed via the numerical study as higher nmax lead to higher foam apparent viscosity thus result in the higher flooding resistance factors. At last, the pressure distribution of the foam flooding process inside a 300 mm core is reproduced as well at meticulously fit nmax value. It is concluded the SBPB model could reveal the mechanisms, from aspects of the foam rheology as well as the bubble generation capacity, behind the high performance of Betaine-type surfactant stabilized ScCO2 foam resistant behavior in harsh reservoir conditions.