Numerical simulation of thermal and reaction waves for in situ combustion in hydrocarbon reservoirs

► We model in situ combustion, for heavy oil and bitumen recovery, using an in house code. ► A heavy oil Damköhler number (DaO) identifies three ignition delay performance regions. ► Ignition delay performance regions are thermal diffusion, chemistry, oxygen supply limited. ► A coke Damköhler number (DaC) threshold for the combustion wave to propagate or else extinguish. ► ISC process efficiency and recovery rate are observed to be functions mainly of DaC and less so of DaO.