REGULARITIES OF THERMAL WAVES FORMATION IN MOVING ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR APPLICATION TO PETROLEUM GEOPHYSICS

11th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM2011, www.sgem.org, SGEM2011 Conference Proceedings/ ISSN 1314-2704, June 20-25, 2011, Vol. 2, 131-138 pp

ABSTRACT

In conductive heat transfer mechanism daily (diurnal) temperature variations almost
damp in a layer as deep as 1 m, and annual variation do it as deep as 18-21 m. In case of coincidence of periodic heating with fluid mass transfer (downward percolation of
surface water from rivers), thickness of the layer with periodic temperature fluctuations
increases significantly. This discovery with author`s priority registered August,19,
1964, was made by N.M. Frolov.

We consider the research on temperature waves created in moving media to be of
interest. In our research temperature waves were set in capillary-porous samples (rocks)
while fluids were filtrating through them in and against the direction of temperature
wave propagation. A Russian scientist, S.N. Kravchun, described temperature waves
probing the liquid flowing along the wire which was heated by alternating current, and located along the velocity vector, i.e. propagated vertically to the fluidflow. An
incredible effect was registered. With a gradual increase in flow rate, contrary to
expectations the temperature fluctuation amplitude distinctly increases, and only with
further increase in velocity it starts to decrease.

This Frolov-Lipaev-Kravchun effect has important practical applications, particularly in implementation of thermal methods of high viscosity oil and natural bitumen stimulation.

Keywords: periodic temperature fields, periodic heating, moving media, practical application