GEOTHERM 785 : Geothermal and Reservoir Engineering

Engineering

2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Topics include: worldwide geothermal development, types of geothermal systems, geothermal geology, resource estimation, thermodynamics, properties of water and steam, steam-field equipment, geothermal power cycles, direct use of geothermal energy, completion tests, two-phase flow, flow measurements, geothermal reservoir engineering modelling theory, reinjection, scaling and corrosion, drilling engineering, heat exchangers, geothermal well-test analysis, stimulation, sedimentary geology, oil and gas formation, petroleum reservoir engineering.

Course Overview

The course provides an introduction to Geothermal Engineering, it is designed to give an overview of the use of fundamentals (Thermodynamics, Fluid mechanics, and Heat transfer) in geothermal engineering. This is to ensure that all students learn a basic level of understanding of geothermal and reservoir engineering starting from; geothermal drilling, well testing, steam field equipment, power plants, and direct-use applications of geothermal energy. This is with a focus on hands-on field activity to give the students a feel for the different designs of geothermal utilization facilities and the ability to compare and contrast different plant components. Also, an appreciation of geothermal drilling and well testing equipment.
It also provides an appreciation and understanding of geothermal engineering and develops a multi-disciplinary approach to geothermal energy exploration and development.  

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: CHEMMAT 302 or 313 or ENGSCI 343 or MECHENG 311, and ENGSCI 311 or 313 or 314 Restriction: GEOTHERM 601, 602, 603, 620

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the laws of thermodynamics and their applications in geothermal energy applications and solve practical problems. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals heat transfer: Fourier law of thermal conduction, Newton’s law of cooling, the Stefan Boltzmann law on thermal radiation and their applications in the geothermal energy. Solve practical problems in geothermal heat transfer. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals laws of fluid mechanics and their applications in the geothermal engineering. Solve practical problems of geothermal steam and liquid flow in geothermal pipelines. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 6.1)
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the engineering classifications of the different types of geothermal systems and the impact of this classification on the geothermal resource development and management. The geothermal resources have an important cultural and economic value to both the public specially to local Iwi. understanding the impact and development risks is also key to ensure the safe and sustainable use of these resources. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  5. Develop and demonstrate an understanding of the principles of geothermal drilling, coring, site preparations and drilling equipment. If not managed correctly, geothermal well drilling can result in hydrothermal below outs, which can put people health at safety at risk and directly impact the sustainability of the geothermal resource. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.2, 4.2 and 5.1)
  6. Analyse and evaluate down-hole measurement methods and the tools and techniques to assess geothermal well performance. Health and safety are a major consideration when operating geothermal wells. This is to ensure a long term and sustainable application while adhering to the RMA and maintaining the resource for future generations. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 5.1)
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of geothermal fluid reinjection and the environmental impact. Reinjection of both geothermal water and gases is key for the long-term sustainability of the resource, it is also a legal requirement in New Zealand and many other countries around the world. If not managed correctly it can result in significant health and safety risks to the local communities. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 5.1, 8.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 40% Individual Coursework
Test 60% Individual Test
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Assignments
Test
The course is internally assessed with:
40% of the mark is given to 4 assignments.
60% final 120-minute test
The minimum pass mark required is 50%

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 40 hours of lectures, 60 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 50 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities to complete/receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars will be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the test.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

All learning resources (lecture material) are provided to the students with additional reading material and data given on Canvas. 

Health & Safety

Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Most positive feedback

"Engaging topics and topics were presented by the lecturers, who clearly understood their topics."

Most negative feedback

"Having to present as I am not a confident speaker".

Comments on feedback
The course was very well received by the students.
Scheduled SET evaluations were conducted, but only 25 % of the students provided feedback despite our multiple reminders.

Other Information

This is a concept rich course that provides engineering students an opportunity to understand the fascinating field of geothermal engineering while applying the fundamental principals in thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics to applied problems.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.