Advanced methods for shale characterisation

Applications are invited for an early stage postgraduate research position leading to a PhD degree in Chemical Engineering in the Institute for Material and Processes within the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh.

Background: This fully funded PhD position is offered with the aim to develop a range of experimental methodologies specifically designed for the characterisation of shale formations.

Shale gas has been recently recognised as a strategic energy source with the potential to revolutionise the worldwide energy layout and bridge the transition to a low-carbon future. Understanding the gas storage and transport mechanisms is essential to evaluate the real potential of the shale formations, predict the production rate and optimise the production strategies towards more efficient and environmentally-safer extraction processes. The complexity of the shale formations makes conventional methodologies not suitable for accurate characterisation.

Aim and programme of research: The project will be carried out at the University of Edinburgh and is focused on the development of experimental methods and mathematical models for the full characterisation of different shale formations. Shales are complex matrices characterised by heterogeneous and hierarchically organised pore structure. The aim of this project is to develop specific experimental methodologies to gain full understanding of the textural properties, the storage capacity and the gas transport mechanisms at the solid matrix scale of different UK shale types. This will require initially the development of protocols for the accurate textural characterisation of the samples. The results will be then combined with high pressure measurements for the determination of equilibrium and kinetics of adsorption. Detailed mathematical modelling will be required for the interpretation of the results.