An Improved Blotter Model for Analog Studies
UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
ABSTRACT
An improved blotter model is
described which makes use of a
plastic sheet as base for the blotter
field and pins to represent the input
wells. The model is simple to con-
struct and adapt and is particularly
useful for det'1onstration purposes.
Operational details are given.
INTRODUCTION
The blotter model was first applied
to the investigation of oilfield prob-
lems by Wyckoff, Botset and Mus-
kat,' primarily in order to demon-
strate the flood patterns which could
be expected from various arrange-
ments - of input and output wells in
waterflooding projects. In recent
years the model ha, been largely
superseded for analog studies by the
potentiometric and electric analog
models which are more refined and
versatile, since they can simulate the
form, and, in certain cases, permea-
bility variations which it is not pos-
sible to do with the blotter model.
However, the latter is still used for
analog studies where the reservoir
can be represented as being uniform
in thickness and permeability, and
where a visual record of the flood ad-
vance is required. Ramey and Nabor,'
for example, have applied the model
to the investigation of areal sweeps
in oil recovery by in-situ combustion.
Because of its limitations, the blot-
ter model can be used in general for
only very simple arrangements of in-
put and output wells, but within
these limitations it has a definite ad-
vantage over all other types, in that
it provides a !Jicture of the advancing
Manuscript received in Society of Petro-
leum Engineers office on July 15. H);)7.
lRefel't.:'n(!cs given at end of paper.
\lECEMBER, 1957
SPE 944-G
C. A. FOTHERGILL
LONDON, ENGLAND
flood using the simplest and most
easily constructed apparatus, by con-
trast with the gelatin model, for
example, which requires more elab-
orate equipment. Moreover, the ex-
periments can be quickly repeated
and modified if necessary, whereas
considerable time is required to pre-
pare a gel field, compared with that
required for the preparation of sheets
of conducting blotting paper.
For these reasons the blotter model
can be very useful for demonstration
and teaching purposes, enabling the
student to experiment for himself
with different arrangements of input
and output wells.
A model has been constructed for
this purpose which is simple to op-
erate and adapt. The model (Fig. 1)
consists of a base platform or box,
CLAMP AND
STAND
(A) ELEVATION
I second sheet of blotting paper cut as
I shown and saturated with the same
I
I solution. This is suspended from a
I laboratory stand, being connected to
I , I
FIG. I-BLOTTER l\IODEL ILLLSTRA'II'\G
ELEVATIO,\ (Al A'\ll PLA" (R),
approximately 12-in. square, on top
of which are screwed three lathes of
1/2 -in. square section to form three
sides of a square 6 in. in length. This
forms the support for a sheet of
Cobex, transparent plastic, thickness
.003 in., on which is carried the
blotting paper representing the field.
The plastic is flexible and relatively
soft, and can be attached to the sup-
port by cellulose tape so that it can
be easily removed when required.
The input wells are represented by
brass drawing pins pressed through
the plastic sheet from the underside
until the points are just projecting
through the top; these are connected
in the circuit as shown in Fig. 2.
The sheet of blotting paper of re-
quired shape and size is saturated
with a solution of 0.2 n-potassium
sulfate to which has been added a
saturated alcohol solution of phenol-
phthalein at a strength of 10 cclliter
of stock solution. The surplus water
is removed and the blotting paper
placed in position on the plastic sheet
making contact with the drawing
pins and the sheet (which is an in-
sulator). The anode consists of a
the conducting wire by means of a
crocodile clip and making contact
with the horizontal blotting paper at
the projecting point. This is the meth-
od used by Ramey and Nabor and
which permits the hydroxyl ions or
colored front to reach the anode.
As shown in Fig. 2, the electrical
voltage used is 220-v DC and a
shunt is placed across the terminals to
step down the voltage as required.
Further adjustment can be made as
necessary using a lamp board in
series with the shunt to obtain the
 DC 220 V
1 I I I
r the blotter model is the fact that if cur-
BLOTTER -VE +VE
INPUT OUTPUT
FIG. 2--CIRCUIT DIAGRAM FOR BLOTTER
MODEL.
appropriate voltage across the model.
The most satisfactory spacing,
found by trial and error, for a basic
two-electrode arrangement was 4 cm
between the drawing pin and the
projecting point. Using a voltage
across the system of 135 v a com-
plete advance of the colored front
was obtained in about 10 minutes.
With large spacings a higher voltage
will be necessary to give a complete
advance over the same time interval,
but the 4-cm spacing has proved the
most satisfactory maximum spacing
for a two-electrode arrangement for
all standard flood patterns. Up to
six cathodes have been used to repre-
sent various patterns, including the
five-spot pattern.
56
One of the inherent difficulties in
rent is passed through blotting paper
saturated with a conducting solution,
the hydrogen and hydroxyl ions mov-
ing in opposite directions, the hy-
droxyl ions (colored by an indicator
showing the advance of the flood)
will meet the hydrogen ions and be-
come neutralized, so stopping the
flood advance; unless steps are taken
to neutralize the hydrogen ions at
source, as was done by Wyckoff and
Botset', or unless the anode is adapted
so that the hydroxyl ions reach the
point representing the output well be-
fore the hydrogen ions, as in Ramey
and Nabor's apparatus. The neutral-
izing method has not proved suitable
where more than one output well has
been represented in the model, but
the use of blotting paper for the
anodes has proved very satisfactory.
One aim in the development of
the model was to limit the number of
electrodes and connecting wires pro-
jecting above the sheet, which tends
to obscure the view of the flood pat-
tern; this was realized by using draw-
ing pins as shown. The pins can be
simply pressed through the plastic
sheet and it is an easy matter to
modify their spacing and arrange-
ment as required, or replace the
sheet with another. This obviates the
need for cathodes suspended ver-
tically from above, as has been the
arrangement in other blotter models,
JOURNAL OF PETROI.EUM TF:CU:"-OLOGY
and the view of the pattern is limited
only by the suspended anode(s).
For most experiments in which
standard spacings are used, such as
the five-spot pattern, only one anode
need be used, but it is possible to
suspend additional electrodes from
above as required.
It is important in operating the
model that the points of contact be-
tween the electrodes and the blotting
paper do not dry out due to the heat
generated by the current, and this
will occur more rapidly the higher
the voltage used, other conditions be-
ing equal. The recommended voltage
and spacing given above permit the
complete flood pattern to be de-
veloped, without drying out, over the
approximate time specified under
normal laboratory conditions with a
room temperature of about 20C.
REFERENCES
1. Wyckoff, R. D., Botset, H. G., and
Muskat, M.: "The Mechanics of
Porous Flow Applied to Waterflood-
ing Problems," Trans. AIME (1933)
103, 219.
2. Ramey, H. J., Jr., and Nabor, G. W.:
"A B1ott.er-Type Electrolytic Model
Determination of An,al Sweeps in Oil
Recovery by In-Situ Combustion,"
Trans. AIME (l954) 201, 1I9.
3. Wyckoff, R. D., and Botset, H. G.:
"An Experimental Study of the Motion
of Particles in Systems of Complex
Potential Distribution," Physics (1934)
5, 265. ***