Dependence of Oil Extraction Factor on Thermodynamic Parameters of Solvent

Abstract

The process of oil expulsion from a solid porous medium by supercritical CO₂ is studied in a wide range of parameters of state. The dependence of oil expulsion factor on temperature in the 40-80°C range and the pressure in the 9-13 MPa range is investigated. It is shown that elevation of CO₂ temperature to 55-80°C leads to a decrease in extraction factor. It is indicated that there is a definite pressure threshold above which it is impossible to reduce consumption of expelling agent and to increase oil expulsion factor and that the optimum volume of discharge lies within two pore volumes in the whole studied temperature and pressure range.