4,231
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 15:
Line 15: − + Line 29:
Line 29: − + + + + + + +
Hydrocarbon column: calculation of maximum height (view source)
Revision as of 20:50, 21 May 2014
, 20:50, 21 May 2014→Calculation
}}
}}
==Calculation==
==Calculation==
The maximum column of hydrocarbons that can accumulate under a seal occurs when ''P''<sub>b</sub> equals ''P''<sub>d</sub>. If ''P''<sub>b</sub> exceeds ''P''<sub>d</sub>, the hydrocarbons will leak through the seal. If ''P''<sub>b</sub> is less than ''P''<sub>d</sub>, it would be possible to seal a greater column of hydrocarbons.
The maximum column of hydrocarbons that can accumulate under a [[seal]] occurs when the buoancy pressure,''P''<sub>b</sub>, equals the displacement pressure, ''P''<sub>d</sub>. If ''P''<sub>b</sub> exceeds ''P''<sub>d</sub>, the hydrocarbons will leak through the seal. If ''P''<sub>b</sub> is less than ''P''<sub>d</sub>, it would be possible to seal a greater column of hydrocarbons.
Therefore, for the maximum hydrocarbon column
Therefore, for the maximum hydrocarbon column
where:
where:
* ''h'' = height of the hydrocarbon [ft]
* ''ρ<sub>w</sub>'' = density of water, g/cm<sup>3</sup>
* ''ρ<sub>h</sub>'' = density of hydrocarbon, g/cm<sup>3</sup>
* g = acceleration due to gravity, cm/sec<sup>2</sup>
* ''h'' = thickness of the hydrocarbon column, ft or m
* ''γ'' is the interfacial tension,
* ''θ'' is the contact angle between the wetting fluid and the solid surface, and
* ''R'' is the capillary (pore throat) radius (Vavra et al., 1992{{citation needed}}).
==Effect on seal capacity==
==Effect on seal capacity==