Phase and Interfacial Tension Behavior of Certain Model Gas Condensates: Measurements and Modeling

• Published in: Transport in porous media Vol. 52; no. 2; pp. 141 - 157
• Main Authors: LE Urlic, Florusse, L J, Straver, EJM, Degrange, S, Peters, C J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Nature B.V 01.08.2003
• Subjects: Alkanes; Condensates; Critical point; Equations of state; High temperature; Natural gas; Surface tension
• ISSN: 0169-3913; 1573-1634
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1023575405777

This contribution reports on the phase and interfacial tension behavior of some model high-temperature–high-pressure gas condensates. On the one hand these types of gas condensate are becoming a subject of major interest for the oil industry, while on the other their phase and interfacial tension behavior have not been very well studied. For two different model gas condensates, both composed of the three n-alkanes, methane, butane, and decane, experimental results on their fluid phase behavior have been obtained in the temperature region 270 < T (K) < 490 and up to pressures as high as 24 MPa. Also, critical points of the two mixtures have been determined experimentally. Both mixtures show an extended retrograde region. Using the Peng–Robinson equation of state, the phase behavior of the two mixtures was modeled. In addition, the interfacial tension behavior of the model gas condensates was modeled. For that purpose, the Cahn–Hilliard theory was applied in combination with the Peng–Robinson equation of state. Satisfactory results were obtained.