Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 20, 2026
10:38
Measurement of the Rheology of Crude Oil in Equilibrium with CO2 at Reservoir Conditions
Published on: June 6, 2017
13.3K
Microfluidic determination of minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) in dynamic CO2/n-decane flow
Junyi Yang1, Peichun Amy Tsai1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2R3. peichun.amy.tsai@ualberta.ca.
Lab on a Chip
|March 18, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a new microfluidic method to determine the minimum miscibility pressure for carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR). The method visually identifies the pressure needed for CO2 and oil to mix, crucial for efficient CCUS operations.
Area of Science:
- Petroleum Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) is a key strategy for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).
- Determining the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) is crucial for optimizing CO2-EOR efficiency, which can increase oil recovery by 5-20%.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the CO2-n-decane miscibility transition using a high-pressure microfluidic platform.
- To propose and validate a new visual criterion for MMP determination based on microfluidic flow regimes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a high-pressure microfluidic platform to observe CO2-n-decane interactions at various temperatures (40-90 °C).
- Analyzed distinct flow regimes (dripping, jetting, transitional, diffusive) to identify the point of miscibility.
- Proposed a novel MMP criterion based on the onset of the diffusive regime.
Main Results:
- Observed a transition from distinct fluid phases to a single mixed phase (diffusive regime) with increasing pressure.
- Experimentally determined MMP values showed good agreement with existing microfluidic data and Peng-Robinson equation of state (PR-EOS) predictions.
- Found that MMP increases linearly with temperature due to decreased CO2 solubility in n-decane at higher temperatures.
Conclusions:
- The microfluidic platform offers a rapid and visual method for assessing CO2-oil miscibility.
- The proposed MMP determination criterion is effective for dynamic CO2-EOR flow conditions.
- This approach aids in the efficient design and implementation of CO2-EOR for CCUS applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Turbulent Flow: Problem Solving
507
Carbonation is a process used to dissolve carbon dioxide gas in a liquid, commonly used in the production of carbonated beverages. Achieving efficient carbonation requires careful control of temperature, pressure, and flow conditions. By adjusting these parameters, carbonation efficiency can be maximized, producing a higher concentration of CO2 in the liquid.
Temperature is a key factor in CO2 solubility. In this case, the CO2 gas and the liquid are cooled to 20°C. Lower temperatures enhance...
Temperature is a key factor in CO2 solubility. In this case, the CO2 gas and the liquid are cooled to 20°C. Lower temperatures enhance...
507
02:34Comparing Intermolecular Forces: Melting Point, Boiling Point, and Miscibility
53.3K
Intermolecular forces are attractive forces that exist between molecules. They dictate several bulk properties, such as melting points, boiling points, and solubilities (miscibilities) of substances. Molar mass, molecular shape, and polarity affect the strength of different intermolecular forces, which influence the magnitude of physical properties across a family of molecules.
Temporary attractive forces like dispersion are present in all molecules, whether they are polar or nonpolar. They...
Temporary attractive forces like dispersion are present in all molecules, whether they are polar or nonpolar. They...
53.3K
02:39Phase Diagrams
51.3K
A phase diagram combines plots of pressure versus temperature for the liquid-gas, solid-liquid, and solid-gas phase-transition equilibria of a substance. These diagrams indicate the physical states that exist under specific conditions of pressure and temperature and also provide the pressure dependence of the phase-transition temperatures (melting points, sublimation points, boiling points). Regions or areas labeled solid, liquid, and gas represent single phases, while lines or curves represent...
51.3K
01:28Vapor Pressure of Fluid
2.1K
The vapor pressure of a fluid is a crucial concept in fluid mechanics, influencing phenomena such as boiling and cavitation. Vapor pressure refers to the pressure exerted by a vapor at a state of thermodynamic equilibrium with its corresponding liquid phase at a specific temperature. It represents the tendency of molecules to escape from the fluid surface into the vapor phase.
When a liquid is placed in a closed container with a small air space, and the space is evacuated, vapor molecules will...
When a liquid is placed in a closed container with a small air space, and the space is evacuated, vapor molecules will...
2.1K
02:56Intermolecular Forces and Physical Properties
29.6K
29.6K
01:10Van der Waals Equation
6.8K
The ideal gas law is an approximation that works well at high temperatures and low pressures. The van der Waals equation of state (named after the Dutch physicist Johannes van der Waals, 1837−1923) improves it by considering two factors.
First, the attractive forces between molecules, which are stronger at higher densities and reduce the pressure, are considered by adding to the pressure a term equal to the square of the molar density multiplied by a positive coefficient a. Second, the volume...
First, the attractive forces between molecules, which are stronger at higher densities and reduce the pressure, are considered by adding to the pressure a term equal to the square of the molar density multiplied by a positive coefficient a. Second, the volume...
6.8K