Efficient Compositional Simulation of Reactive Transport in CO2 Storage

CO₂ injection into geological formations triggers complex physical and chemical interactions at different time and length scales, which are critical to the evaluation of subsurface capacities, operational risks, and storage safety. To reduce the risks during injection and ensure long-term safety, it is indispensable to carry out dynamic simulations that can describe this multiscale process with multiple physics. Although several simulators are available for simulating underground CO₂ storage, there is a need to improve the robustness and efficiency of CO₂ storage simulation when a compositional description is used.

In this project, we intend to take advantage of the recent development in simultaneous chemical and phase equilibrium calculation to improve the speed and reliability of CO₂ storage simulation significantly. The candidate will work on integrating the novel chemical and phase equilibrium calculation algorithm into an in-house compositional simulator for the simulation of CO₂ storage in both saline aquifers and depleted petroleum reservoirs. This requires a robust and efficient calculation of multiphase equilibrium in dynamic simulation. The developed simulator will be applied to analyze both near-wellbore and reservoir-scale problems. We expect that the project will provide a new paradigm on how compositional simulation can be done for various underground CO₂ storage processes.

Candidates should have an M.Sc. degree or equivalent in disciplines like chemical engineering, applied chemistry, or petroleum engineering. The candidates should be skilled in programming, and it is an advantage to be familiar with thermodynamics and dynamic simulation.

The project is funded by Innovation Fund Denmark through Innomission-CCUS (https://www.inno-ccus.dk). We expect to start the project in the second half of 2022. The formal application must be through the DTU webpage

https://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/vacant-positions/job?id=f90d848c-8c1f-49b5-b50c-5c1a5de082fc

At the moment, candidates of interest can contact directly the project supervisor Associate Professor Wei Yan at [Email Address Removed] for further information.