Mass Transfer Fundamentals in Complex Systems

Mayorga Ariza, Maria Daniela

Mass Transfer Fundamentals in Complex Systems

dc.contributor.advisor	Kantzas, Apostolos
dc.contributor.author	Mayorga Ariza, Maria Daniela
dc.contributor.committeemember	Aguilera, Roberto
dc.contributor.committeemember	Sarma, Hemanta
dc.date	2025-06
dc.date.accessioned	2024-12-19T15:53:48Z
dc.date.available	2024-12-19T15:53:48Z
dc.date.issued	2024-12-17
dc.description.abstract	Mass transfer plays a critical role in most engineering processes, significantly affecting production, processing efficiency, and overall economic outcomes. In the context of thermal recovery of heavy oil using solvents, accurately estimating diffusion coefficients is vital for effective project design. Calculating diffusion coefficients is a meticulous process that requires precise experimental work and data acquisition to ensure reliability. These coefficients are essential for designing and analyzing thermal recovery techniques, such as solvent-assisted steam approaches, where decisions regarding rates, solvent proportions, and types depend heavily on accurate diffusion data. It is crucial to consider the influential role of water, which is present in most reservoirs and significantly impacts mass transfer, often without being fully acknowledged. Previous research on multiphase mass transfer has primarily focused on atmospheric conditions and liquid solvents. However, this study examines mass transfer from gaseous solvents to heavy oil in the presence of a water layer at elevated pressures. Specifically, the behaviors of solvents such as dimethyl ether (DME), propane, and CO₂ are compared, investigating the effects of increased pressures and varying solvent-to-oil ratios. Computed Tomography (CT) imaging is employed to monitor the initial stages of the diffusion process, providing a detailed understanding of these complex interactions. The results obtained are then compared with the behavior of these solvents in a biphasic system with heavy oil but without a water layer. This comparative analysis highlights the role of the water layer, contributing to the optimization of thermal recovery processes. This study represents an advancement in understanding diffusion processes and their influence on thermal recovery methods. The findings provide a foundation for developing more efficient and sustainable methods of heavy oil extraction, highlighting the crucial role of water in the mass transfer process.
dc.identifier.citation	Mayorga Ariza, M. (2024). Mass transfer fundamentals in complex systems (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/1880/120255
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher.faculty	Graduate Studies
dc.publisher.institution	University of Calgary
dc.rights	University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject	Mass Transfer
dc.subject	Diffusion Coefficient
dc.subject	Solvents
dc.subject	Solvent-Assisted Recovery Methods
dc.subject	Bitumen
dc.subject	CT Scanner
dc.subject.classification	Engineering--Petroleum
dc.subject.classification	Engineering--Chemical
dc.subject.classification	Engineering
dc.title	Mass Transfer Fundamentals in Complex Systems
dc.type	master thesis
thesis.degree.discipline	Engineering – Chemical & Petroleum
thesis.degree.grantor	University of Calgary
thesis.degree.name	Master of Science (MSc)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudent	I do not require a thesis withhold – my thesis will have open access and can be viewed and downloaded publicly as soon as possible.