The authors developed a numerical model to simulate the interaction between electromagnetic energy and a solvent-heavy oil mixture. Key Findings:
This hybrid approach can achieve higher oil recovery rates with lower energy consumption compared to using EM heating alone.
The EM heating helps improve the diffusion and distribution of the solvent within the heavy oil reservoir. Full Text Access
To overcome the limitations of traditional Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD), such as high water consumption and energy intensity.
The combination of heat from EM waves and the diluting effect of solvents significantly reduces oil viscosity.