title: Effects of sonication radiation on oil recovery by ultrasonic waves stimulated water-flooding.
abstract: Due to partial understanding of mechanisms involved in application of ultrasonic waves as enhanced oil recovery method, series of straight (normal), and ultrasonic stimulated water-flooding experiments were conducted on a long unconsolidated sand pack using ultrasonic transducers. Kerosene, vaseline, and SAE-10 (engine oil) were used as non-wet phase in the system. In addition, a series of fluid flow and temperature rise experiments were conducted using ultrasonic bath in order to enhance the understanding about contributing mechanisms. 3-16% increase in the recovery of water-flooding was observed. Emulsification, viscosity reduction, and cavitation were identified as contributing mechanisms. The findings of this study are expected to increase the insight to involving mechanisms which lead to improving the recovery of oil as a result of application of ultrasound waves.
authors.affiliation: Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Petroleum and Renewable Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM, Johor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Erfan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mohammadian
authors.forename: Radzuan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Junin
authors.forename: Omeid
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rahmani
authors.forename: Ahmad Kamal
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Idris