Non-uniform heat transfer behavior of wet foam fluid in a narrow fracture channel

The heat transfer characteristic of wet foam fluid in some channels has not been fully understood due to its special evolution characteristic. In this study, we explore distribution laws for the temperature and the heat transfer coefficient of the VES-CO₂ foam fluid on the heating surface of a narrow fracture channel. The results show that the heat transfer coefficient of foam fluid on the heating surface is affected by multiple factors, such as the foam quality, foam structure, inclined channel and so on. We find that the temperature on the middle part of the heating surface is higher. Especially, due to the drainage of the flowing wet foam, there are different heat transfer characteristics in the middle and at the side of the heating surface. The heat transfer coefficient displays fluctuation behavior at the side of the heating surface. In the inclined channel, the heat transfer coefficient increases with the inclination angle for the positive inclination, and for the lateral inclination, the average cross-sectional heat transfer coefficient decreases with increasing inclination angle. In the low-permeability oil and gas development, this research has important significance for understanding the heat transfer phenomenon of wet foam fluid in formation fracture. It is also expected that this study could provide a reference for related application of wet foam fluid in some special channels.