B6342 - TECHNOLOGIES AND PROCESSES FOR OFFSHORE ENERGY PRODUCTION

Learning outcomes

Introduction to and training in sustainable design of production processes in the offshore sector. Application of knowledge in mass and energy balances, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, unit operations to process selection and simulation in offshore energy processes. Analysis of the role of technical constraints, economic factors, environmental impact and safety in process design.

Course contents

Prior knowledge required to access the course

A prior knowledge and understanding of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and unit operations is advisable. This should be based on courses attended during bachelor programs.

Fluent spoken and written English is a necessary pre-requisite: all lectures and tutorials, and all study material will be in English.

Course Contents

1) Introduction

Description of industrial processes relevant to the offshore sector, sustainable energy production, and alternative energy vectors.

2) Approaches

Mass and energy balances. Identification of boundary conditions and constraints. Quantification of degree of freedom of equipment items. Application of mass and energy balances to process analysis.

3) Process simulation and analysis

Introduction to the Hysys software. Application to the simulation of a case-study. Application of mass and energy balances to process analysis

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture slides and integrative supporting material will be available on-line by "virtuale" service.

• Handbook of Natural Gas Transmission and Processing - Principles and Practices, 2015, 3rd Edition, Saeid Mokhatab, William A. Poe and John Y. Mak, ISBN: 978-0-12-801499-8, Elsevier.
• Natural Gas Processing - Technology and Engineering Design, 2014, Alireza Bahadori, ISBN: 978-0-08-099971-5, Elsevier.
• Modeling, Control, and Optimization of Natural Gas Processing Plants, 2017, William A. Poe and Saeid Mokhatab, ISBN: 978-0-12-802961-9, Elsevier.
• ISO 14617 - Graphical symbols for diagrams
• ISO 10628 - Flow diagrams for process plants

Teaching methods

In-class lessons

Tutorials

Self-directed work

Individual assignment on the development of a process analysis based on the simulation of a process by the Hysys software (process flow diagram and report describing Hysys simulation).

Discussion of individual project report and of topics presented during the lessons.

Assessment methods

The final exam will constist of a written and an oral part, taking place on the same day. To sit the final exam, the submission of a report containing the results achieved in the development of an individual assignment is required one week before the exam.

The written exam will consist of a practical exercise on mass and energy balances applied to offshore processes.

The oral exam will consist of a critical discussion of the individual project report and of the topics presented during the lessons.

The exam is set to evaluate the students' knowledge-level, application abilities, and technical communication skills.

Higher grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an organic understanding of the subject, a high ability for critical application, and a clear and concise presentation of their ideas.

To obtain a passing grade, students are required to know the key concepts of the subject, to demonstrate some ability for critical application, and a comprehensible use of technical language.

A failing grade will be given if the student shows knowledge gaps in key-concepts of the subject, inappropriate use of language, and/or logic failures in the analysis of the subject.

Teaching tools

Lecture slides and integrative supporting material will be available on-line by "virtuale" service.

Office hours

See the website of Gianmaria Pio

See the website of Federica Ricci