Confined transport property of multi-polar mixed shale oil components induced by interfacial effects within kerogen nanopores

The intricate structure of shale pore throat can lead to discontinuous flow characteristics of shale oil, posing a significant challenge for efficient extraction processes. This study develops a model of kerogen nanopores informed by shale composition and simulates three distinct mixed-phase shale oil systems with varying polarities, utilizing eight representative shale oil molecules. The interfacial effects and transport properties of shale oil components within kerogen nanopores were deeply investigated by analyzing the molecular properties. The interfacial effect of nanopores on shale oil is reflected in van der Waals interactions and the electrostatic effect of charge bilayer distribution during solid–liquid phase contact. The interplay of these two interfacial effects results in divergent transport flow patterns for oil of different polarities, making the more polar shale oil more favorably adsorbed at the pore wall. Additionally, various combinations of multi-polar oil molecules within mixed-phase shale oil produce different limitations of interfacial effects, which emerge as one of the keys influencing shale oil transport flow. Broadening channel width and elevating temperature improve shale oil transportation efficiency, yet escalating the driving force only boosts the flow rate without altering interfacial interactions, thereby offering limited enhancement to overall efficiency.