84515 - Environmental Management of Subsurface fluids

Learning outcomes

Nowadays the risks and problems associated with the management of underground fluids are in the limelight of the media. Conventional and unconventional fossil fuels that require production techniques based on the injection of fluids into the subsoil with associated risks of induced seismicity, contamination of aquifers, subsidence and collapse phenomena. The risks of fracking. The injection of polluted fluids into deep repositories, the summer storage of gases in exhausted reservoir rocks, the injection of CO2 into the subsoil to counteract the greenhouse effect, the use of geothermal fluids and the exploitation of deep aquifers; what impact do all these activities have on environmental safety? This course aims to provide students with tools that are necessary to assess the risks associated with the activities listed above.

Course contents

Basic notions on the mechanics of fluids and porous and fractured media.

Fundamentals of numerical analysis for fluid flow modeling.

Extraction and injection of fluids through wells.

Notes on geology and the production of conventional and unconventional fossil fuels.

Notes on the origin and exploration of geothermal fluids.

Notes on the origin and exploration of clathrates in the oceans.

Management of artificial recharge in aquifers.

CO2 storage: reasons, challenges and different types of pilot plants.

Injection of contaminated fluids into deep aquifers.

Summer storage of gas in depleted fields.

Risk analysis in the production of fluids from deep reservoirs / aquifers (subsidence, pollution).

Risk analysis in the injection of fluids in deep reservoirs / aquifers (induced seismicity, pollution of aquifers).

Risk management and reduction techniques.

Numerical modeling exercises Injection and extraction model from porous and fractured tanks.

Fracking pattern.

Ground water injection model to recharge an aquifer.

Readings/Bibliography

Class notes and presentations by the teacher

Philips O.M. 2009. Geological fluid dynamics. Cambridge University Press

Fetter C. W. Contaminant hydrogeology. Prentice Hall

Reference textbooks:

1) Handbook of Environmental Fluid Dynamics, Volume One

http://www.crcnetbase.com/isbn/9781439816707

2) Handbook of Environmental Fluid Dynamics, Volume Two

http://www.crcnetbase.com/isbn/9781466556041

disponibili online

Teaching methods

Lectures and class exercises that require the use of a laptop. Some exercises will be done with MATLAB and Excel. Preparatory to the course is the class in Environmental Hydrology.

In order to take this class it is necessary to take the classe on safety (first and second module) as well as the specific module 3 on firld safety.

“In considerazione delle tipologie di attività e metodi didattici adottati, la frequenza di questa attività formativa richiede lo svolgimento di tutti gli studenti dei Moduli 1 e 2 in modalità e-learning [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio] e la partecipazione al Modulo 3 di formazione specifica sulla sicurezza e salute nei luoghi di studio. Indicazioni su date e modalità di frequenza del Modulo 3 sono consultabili nella apposita sezione del sito web di corso di studio.”

Assessment methods

50% of the grade: exercises and projects proposed during the lessons.

Teaching tools

A personal computer is required for classroom activities.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Antonellini