Diffusion Coefficient in Crude Oils (DCCO)
Research Area: Fluid Physics
Expedition(s): 5
Principal Investigator(s): ● Jean-Claude Legros, Université Libre de Bruxelles,
Brussels, Belgium
● Stefan Van Vaerenbergh, PhD, University of Brussels, Belgium
● Frank Dubois, University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Diffusion Coefficient in Crude Oils (DCCO) looks to improve the understanding of mass transport
phenomena in 3 components
hydrocarbon mixtures and the
determination of diffusion
coefficients. The measurement
of diffusion properties in crude
oils improves numerical models
used by industries to
characterize oil fields. Expected
benefits are the reduction of the
number of required drillings, and
therefore reducing exploration
costs, especially for deep off-
shore exploration. Diffusion
coefficients are studied in a
model fluid representing typical
crude oils.
RESULTS
Telemetry data for the DCCO showed the presence of gas bubbles in the diffusion region of the
cell. Therefore, valid results from the experiment could not be obtained. The origin of the gas
bubbles was not definitive but probably due to permeation of at least 1 of the components
through the O-rings of the hardware. Research into diffusion coefficients continues with the
SODI-IVIDIL and SODI-DSC/DCMIX investigations.
This investigation is complete; however no publications are expected.
Experimental hardware of Diffusion Coefficient in Crude Oils. ESA
image.