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Effect of Pressure upon Viscosity of Methane and Two Natural Gases

1938; Volume: 127; Issue: 01 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2118/938118-g

0081-1696

B. H. Sage, W. N. Lacey,

Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis

In recent years there has been an increase of interest in the flow of gasesat relatively high pressures. Hydrodynamic calculation of the energy losses inthe flow of gases in conduits, as well as through the porous solid materialsconstituting natural petroleum reservoirs, requires a knowledge of theviscosity of the fluid at the pressure and temperature involved. Although thereare numerous publications concerning the absolute viscosity of hydrocarbongases at atmospheric pressure, there appears to be little information availablerelating to the effect of pressure upon the viscosity of these gases. Vogel determined the viscosity of methane at 320 F. and atmospheric pressure. His measurements at 320 F. were later substantiated by the measurements ofRankine and Smith at 630 and 2120 F. Ishida also reported values for theviscosity of methane at atmospheric pressure. Trautz and Kurz measured theviscosity of propane at atmospheric pressure, from 830 to 5300 F., by the useof a short capillary tube. Rappenecker determined the viscosity of gaseousisopentane at elevated temperatures. Day6 made an accurate investigation of theeffect of pressure upon the viscosity of isopentane and isopentane at pressuresfrom 2 lb. per sq. in. t to the vapor pressure at 770 F. (approximately 9.8 and 13.3 lb. per sq. in., respectively). Earhart reported data upon the viscosityof several natural gases measured by the long capillarytube method. The viscosity of air, at atmospheric pressure and 73.40 F., was measured byHarrington 9 by the rotating-cylinder method. Kellstrom 15 has recently made anelaborate investigation of the viscosity of air at atmospheric pressure.