Numerical Investigation of Controllable Parameters Effect on Nanofluid Flooding in a Random Pore Generated Porous Medium

This study simulates the enhanced oil recovery process using nanofluids into a microporous medium. To obtain the optimum values that affect this process, design experiments with the general factorial method was performed. Four parameters included type of nanoparticles and the base fluids, diameter and volume fraction of nanoparticle were considered. The porous medium was created with the commercial grid generation tool and Fluent software was used to solve the governing equations. Comparison of numerical results with the experimental data illustrates that they are in good agreement. In addition, results show that clay nanoparticles with formation water have the greatest impact on the oil recovery factor compared to other nanofluids. Also the nanofluid with higher amounts of nanoparticles in the base fluid and smaller diameter have better performance in improving the oil recovery factor. Therefore, for having the maximum oil recovery factor, the best combination of parameters is clay nanoparticles with 2 nm diameter and 5 vol. % in formation water.