Microscopical experimental investigation on complex flow with gas-liquid-solid phase change through porous media

An microscopical experimental method was brought out to study the flow law and flow rules of gas-liquid-sold complex flow in condensate reservoirs with wax deposition. Real porous media were modeled by the phantom micro-model with similar pore structure. The experiments were carried out in porous media at high temperature and high pressure to observe the forming, distribution and flow rules of gas-liquid-sold complex flow. The results show the adsorption and migration laws of wax deposition, three-phase flow pattern, phase change and distribution characteristics of porous media. It is difficult to accumulate for the condensate in big pores. The flow mode of the condensate includes mainly eight styles:schlepping by gas, pulse flow, crawling along pore wall, interface flow, plug flow, rivulet flow, continuous flow, and little liquid droplets assembling with bigger liquid droplets and liquid flow. The results also indicate that wax deposition adsorbs at pore surfaces. Some is from gas phase and adsorbs on the surfaces of porous media with sheet, the other is from liquid phase with flock and affects the flow. Pore structures are affected by solid wax precipitation. The smaller the pore structure, the more the wax adsorption, and the resistance of the gas-liquid-solid flow increases.