Find A PhD Project: A Multiscale Mixed Finite Element Method Model ...

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Find A PhD Project: A Multiscale Mixed Finite Element Method Model ...

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A Multiscale Mixed Finite Element Method Model for Multiphase Porous

Media Flow: Investigation of Carbon Dioxide Enhanced Oil Recovery
Institution:

Aberdeen University

Dept/School/Faculty:

Graduate School, College of Physical Sciences

PhD Supervisor:

Dr J Gomes

Application Deadline:

Applications accepted all year round

Funding Availability:

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Co-Supervisor:

Dr M N Campbell-Bannerman

Self-Funded PhD Students Only

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PhD Research Project

There is an urgent need to fast develop and deploy novel clean and efficient energy technologies in order to address the global
challenges of energy security, climate change and sustainable development. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a set of
technologies that enable removing CO2 from fossil-fuel power plants and injecting in geological formations for permanent storage.
Injection of CO2 has long been used to displace oil in reservoirs to enhance oil recovery (EOR). This project focuses on the
transport and trapping of CO2 during EOR operations.
Several numerical methods have been developed over the past 70 years to improve our understanding of multiphase fluid flows in porous media. More recently,
families of stable mixing finite element formulation have been used to consistently represent mass conservation whereas improving numerical accuracy.
This project will extend the current overlapping mixed finite element method (FEM) formulation to investigate multiscale CO2 transport from near injection region
to far-field. The project will exploit the existing state-of-the-art reservoir simulator model to develop high-order accurate methods. This will involve the
development of:
(a) Spectral finite element methods to be coupled with the overlapping formulation;
(b) High performance computing (HPC) implementation for the model;
(c) Model for multiphase flows in heterogeneous fractured reservoirs and;
(d) Compositional model for non-equilibrium calculations for different species (e.g., CO2, CH4, brine etc).
Applicants must hold, or expect to receive, a first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering, mathematical, computing or
physical sciences discipline. Expertise in fluid mechanics and strong programming (Fortran or C) skills are essential. Background in computational fluid dynamics
is desirable.

Funding Notes:
This project is advertised in relation to the research areas of the discipline of Engineering. The successful applicant will be expected to provide the funding for
Tuition fees, living expenses and maintenance. Details of the cost of study can be found by visiting www.abdn.ac.uk. There is normally NO funding attached to
this project, however, if an exceptional candidate is offered a position then they may be considered for a tuition fee waiver. Normally, to be considered for a fee
waiver, you need a first class undergraduate degree or a masters degree with commendation or distinction (or the international equivalent).

References:
J. Gomes (2013) Reservoir Modeling for Flow Simulation Using Surfaces, Adaptive Unstructured Meshes, and Control-Volume-Finite-Element Methods, SPE
Reservoir Simulation Symposium, SPE-163633-MS
M. Boot-Handford et al. (2014) Carbon Capture and Storage Update, Energy & Environmental Science, 7: 130-189;
N. MacDowell et al. (2010) An Overview of CO2 Capture Technologies, Energy & Environmental Science, 3:1645-1669;
B. Nykvist (2013) Ten times more difficult: Quantifying the carbon capture and storage challenge, Energy Policy, 5:683-689;
T. Hughes (1986) A New Finite Element Formulationfor Computational Fluid Dynamics: A Discontinuity-Capturing Operator for Multi-Dimensional AdvectionDiffusion Systems, Comput. Meths. Appl. Mech. Engrgs. 58:329-336;
C. Cotter et al. (2009) LBB Stability of Mixed Galerkin Finite Element Pair for Fluid Flow Simulations, Journal of Computational Physics 228:336-348;
V. Kippe et al. (2008) A comparison of multiscale methods for elliptic problems in porous media flow, Comput Geosci. 12:377-398.
Application Process:
Formal applications can be completed online: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply. You should apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering,
to ensure that your application is passed to the correct College for processing. Please ensure that you quote the project title and supervisor on the application
form.
Informal inquiries can be made to Dr J Gomes, (jefferson.gomes@abdn.ac.uk) with a copy of your curriculum vitae and cover letter. All general enquiries
should be directed to the Graduate School Admissions Unit (cpsgrad@abdn.ac.uk).

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25/04/2014 13:02

Find A PhD Project: A Multiscale Mixed Finite Element Method Model ...

3 of 3

http://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=54178&L...

25/04/2014 13:02