Compositional Simulation with Geochemical Reactions for Underground CO2 Storage

One PhD scholarship in Compositional Simulation with Geochemical Reactions for Underground CO2 Storage is available at Center for Energy Resources Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (CERE DTU).

THE PROJECT
CO2 sequestration in large underground geological structures like saline aquifers and petroleum reservoirs is a major means to reduce CO2 emission in large scale. For the success of CO2 storage and especially its long term safety, it is important to simulate the process with considerations of the relevant geochemical reactions. Currently, most geochemical simulators, which are equipped with a detailed geochemical description, are poor at calculating complex phase equilibrium. Meanwhile, the compositional reservoir simulators, which are designed for complex phase equilibrium, usually have limited geochemical capability. This project is intended to bridge the gap by introducing detailed geochemical description in the general compositional reservoir simulation. The developed simulator can be applied to CO2 injection into petroleum reservoirs for the dual purpose of improving oil recovery and CO2 storage as well as CO2 sequestration into saline aquifers.

THE SCOPE
The scope of the project covers improvement of an existing compositional reservoir simulator, development of efficient algorithms for multiphase equilibrium with geochemical reaction, and incorporation of the developed geochemical reaction module into the compositional reservoir simulation. A geochemical reaction module will be developed and compared with the state-of-the-art simulator such as PHREEQC. The module will then be incorporated into a fully implicit compositional reservoir simulator. Special emphasis will be put on the simulation efficiency to make sure that the added geochemical module will not dramatically slow down the simulation. The developed simulator will be compared with the modern geochemical and reservoir simulators in various scenarios.

QUALIFICATIONS
The applicants should have a master’s degree preferentially in chemical engineering, chemistry, petroleum engineering, or applied mathematics or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master’s degree. It is advantageous that the applicant has good knowledge of applied thermodynamics, competences in development of mathematic models, and skills in programming.

APPROVAL AND ENROLLMENT
The scholarship for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

ASSESSMENT
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Wei Yan and Professor Erling H. Stenby.

WE OFFER
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and an academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

SALARY AND APPOINTMENT TERMS
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

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The position is provided with full benefits (pension, holidays …) and a monthly salary starting at approximately 25 000 Danish kroner (3300 EUR).

The PhD student will be supervised by Associate Professor Wei Yan and Professor Erling H. Stenby.

FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information regarding the PhD position, please contact Associate Professor Wei Yan ([Email Address Removed]) or Professor Erling H. Stenby ([Email Address Removed]).

APPLICATION
Please submit your online application no later than 1 May 2018.

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing materials to be given consideration. Please open the link "apply online“ and fill in the application form and attach the following documents:

A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
Curriculum vitae
Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet here)
Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master’s degree, but cannot begin before having received it.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

For the formal advertisement and application link, please find below:
http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/vacant-positions/job?id=8fdfb6da-41f0-4649-8a55-9c55defc60a5

The application deadline is set to be May 1, 2018, but the position will be kept open until the qualified candidate is found.