GEOTHERM 785 : Geothermal and Reservoir Engineering

Engineering

2023 Semester One (1233) (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 paper provides an engineering overview of the utilization of geothermal energy while starting from the fundamental principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.  GEOTHERM 785 is very application focused providing up-to-date insight into the challenges of harnessing the vast amount of energy in the earth as a clean and renewable energy source for the future.
The course also provides an introduction to petroleum reservoir engineering and unconventional oil and gas resources. 

GEOTHERM 785 should be attended by year 4 students. 

Postgraduate students interested in specialising in geothermal energy should consider: 
GEOTHERM 601 and 602 or 
GEOTHERM 601, 602 and 620 or 
GEOTHERM 601, 602  and 603. 

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: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the the laws of thermodynamics and their applications in geothermal energy applications. Solve applied geothermal problems. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  2. Identify, describe and demonstrate an understanding of 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 applications Understand the fundamentals laws of fluid mechanics and their applications in the geothermal engineering. (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  3. Solve problems in 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 applications (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the engineering classifications of the different types of geothermal systems and the impact of this classification on the geothermal resource development and management (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  5. Demonstrate understanding of the principles geothermal drilling, coring, site preparations and drilling equipment (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of down hole measurement data and build an understanding of the tools and techniques to assess geothermal well performance (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of geothermal reinjection. Analyse, the advantages and disadvantages of geothermal fluid reinjection and the environmental impact (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  8. Demonstrate and Solve problems in geothermal power plant design and optimisation (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 5)
  9. Solve Geothermal flow measurements problems for both single and two-phase geothermal fluid flow (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 5)
  10. Explain Scaling and corrosion in the geothermal facility and the challenges of the working geothermal fluid and methods of managing the different types of scale (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 40% Individual Coursework
Test 60% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Assignments
Test

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, 50 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 60 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Campus Experience

For those attending on campus:

Attendance is required at scheduled activities.

Lectures will be available as recordings. 

The course will not include live online events.

Attendance on campus is required for the tests.

For those approved to study remotely due to the impact of COVID 19:

Attendance is expected at scheduled online activities.

The course will not include live online events.

Attendance on campus is not required for the tests.

Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement or be released progressively throughout the course.


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 are provided to the students with additional reading material and data are given on Canvas.

Health & Safety

GEOTHERM 785 is a low risk class-based course with no workshops, labs or field activity. However, students are expected to adhere to the University of Auckland Health and Safety and Wellbeing regulations. 

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.

The course is very well received by our students.

Some of the former course graduates are working now in the Geothermal Industry 

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 against online source material 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.

Published on 15/11/2022 10:41 a.m.