CF Lab (DK6.2)

The DTU Offshore coreflooding facility is a high-performance laboratory designed to conduct advanced fluid flow experiments under reservoir-relevant conditions. It supports high-pressure (up to 700 bar) and high-temperature (up to 150 °C) coreflood tests across a wide range of applications, including CO₂ storage, enhanced oil recovery, water flooding, produced water re-injection, and reactive transport studies.

The lab hosts 8 fully customized coreflooding rigs equipped with ISCO and Vindum pumps, allowing precise flow control from 0.1 μL/min to 97 mL/min. Core holders support diameters ranging from 6 mm to 38 mm and lengths from 6 mm to 80 mm, all capable of confining pressure for radial stress simulation.

The rigs are instrumented for real-time monitoring of pressure, temperature, acoustic velocity, and electrical resistivity, with an integrated LabView-based data acquisition system for automated logging. Fluid management systems include automated fraction collectors, two- and three-phase separators, and gas flow meters. All components are corrosion-resistant and suitable for use with CO₂-rich and reactive fluids.

What makes this facility unique is its integration with other high-end labs at DTU, including microfluidics, analytical chemistry, and imaging (CT scanners), as well as an in-house modeling group for linking experiments to simulation workflows. These capabilities together enable end-to-end experimental investigation and modeling of complex subsurface flow scenarios.

The core flooding lab is integrated with a wide range of scientific and technical services to support experimental research:

• Sample Preparation:
  A dedicated preparation room is available, equipped with a core plug drill, a precision saw for trimming end pieces or preparing thin sections, and a carbon coater for SEM sample preparation.
• Analytical Chemistry Laboratory:
  An integrated lab supports chemical and mineralogical analyses, equipped with advanced instrumentation including:
• Ion Chromatography (IC)
• Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)
• Gas Chromatography (GC)
• Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS)
• Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
• Surface Science Laboratory:
  The surface science lab is equipped with systems to analyze interfacial and surface phenomena, including:
• Interfacial tension (IFT) measurement setups, low and high pressure
• Contact angle measurement setup
• Foam analyzers
• Zeta potential measurement systems
• Microfluidics Laboratory:
  Both low- and high-pressure microfluidic setups are available for pore-scale flow visualization and fluid interaction studies in porous media.
• X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging:
  The facility houses two CT scanners, which enable high-resolution imaging. 

The coreflooding laboratory at DTU Offshore offers a highly integrated and flexible experimental infrastructure that sets it apart from conventional core analysis facilities:

• Integration with Complementary Laboratories:
  A key strength lies in the seamless integration of the coreflooding lab with a range of specialized facilities, including analytical chemistry, imaging, surface science, and microfluidics laboratories. This enables comprehensive, multi-scale characterization of core samples and fluids, enhancing both the depth and scope of experimental studies.

• Close Coupling with Modelling Capabilities:
  Another unique feature is the close collaboration with an in-house modelling group. This integration allows for the design of experiments informed by numerical simulations and, conversely, for model development and validation based on detailed experimental data. This creates a powerful loop between physical testing and digital modelling, accelerating insights and decision-making.

• Custom-Built Coreflooding Infrastructure:
  The facility houses eight coreflooding rigs, each tailored to specific applications such as:

o    CO₂ storage

o    Conventional waterflooding

o    Gas and combustible gas injection

o    Produced water re-injection

o    Hydrate formation in porous media

The rigs are modular and can be easily upgraded or reconfigured to accommodate new research needs or industry challenges.

• Versatile Core Holder Inventory:
  A wide range of core holders, both bi- and three-axial, enables experiments on core samples from 6 mm to 38 mm in diameter. The setups support multi-physics measurements, including pressure, electrical resistivity, and acoustic responses, offering flexible and advanced monitoring during experiments.

• Technical and Economic Advantages:
  This high level of integration and adaptability translates into technical and economic efficiencies, reducing the time from concept to results, minimizing sample use, and enabling cross-disciplinary studies that enhance both academic and industrial relevance.