Mass & heat transport - Geothermal energy / Transport modeling

This EU addresses the concepts of mass and heat transfer in aquifers, as well as the characteristics of low-energy and high-energy geothermal energy.                                                                                                                                                                                                             

The vulnerability of the underground resource will be assessed and, where appropriate, methods for protecting the aquifer from pollution will be evaluated. Various techniques for decontaminating aquifers will also be discussed, particularly through the solutions provided by digital simulation tools.

The principles of geothermal energy will also be discussed through examples of specific systems based on the three types of geothermal energy (from shallow to very deep, from low temperature to very high temperature).

The objective of this EU is to introduce the fundamental concepts governing mass and heat transfer in the saturated zone. On this basis, analytical and numerical modeling will be carried out. For each of the problems studied, particular attention will be paid to the environmental impact associated with the contamination in question, whether thermal (heat transfer) or chemical (contaminant transport). 

At the end of this course unit, students will be able to:                                      

a. Know how to use information provided by different approaches (hydrogeological, hydrodynamic, hydrochemical, and isotopic) to characterize the origin and dynamics of underground flows.            

b. Understand the concepts of advective and dispersive transport, as well as the parameters to be considered                                                                      

c. Ability to model the transport of heat and different types of pollutants                                                                                              

d. Quantify the impact associated with the implementation of shallow geothermal systems (i.e., geothermal doublets) or waste storage.

This EU will conclude with a study, including numerical modeling (FEFLOW) and environmental recommendations, focusing on a real-life contamination case.

EU "Underground Hydrodynamics" and/or "Applied Hydrogeology" and/or "Underground Flow Modeling"

Continuous assessment