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Effect of lateral heat losses on the stability of thermal displacement fronts in porous media

Journal Article · · AIChE J.; (United States)

Previous studies have shown that heat transport by horizontal conduction in thermal displacement processes in porous media has a stabilizing effect on condensation fronts. This work expands the stability analysis by also including the description of heat transfer lateral heat losses by conjugate (vertical) conduction. A marginal stability condition is derived in terms of a parameter representing the relative magnitude of heat transfer by conjugate conduction. It is shown that lateral heat losses suggest a significant stabilizing effect on the front. This effect should be important in thermal oil recovery processes such as steam injection and in-situ combustion.

OSTI ID:
6130012
Journal Information:
AIChE J.; (United States), Journal Name: AIChE J.; (United States) Vol. 28:3; ISSN AICEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English