Mass and Heat Transport - Geothermal Energy / Transport Modeling

This unit covers the concepts of mass and heat transfer in aquifers, as well as the characteristics of low-to-high-energy geothermal systems.                                                                                                                                                                                                             

The vulnerability of the groundwater resource will be assessed, and, where appropriate, methods for protecting the aquifer from pollution will be evaluated. Various techniques for remediating aquifers will also be discussed, particularly through the insights provided by numerical simulation tools.

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

The objective of this course unit is to introduce the fundamental concepts governing mass and heat transfer in the saturated zone. Building on this foundation, analytical and numerical modeling will be conducted. For each of the problems studied, particular attention will be paid to the environmental impact associated with the contamination under consideration, whether thermal (heat transfer) or chemical (contaminant transport). 

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

a. Be able to use information derived from various approaches (hydrogeological, hydrodynamic, hydrochemical, and isotopic) to characterize the origin and dynamics of groundwater flow            

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

c. Be able to model the transport of heat and various types of pollutants                                                                                              

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

This teaching unit will conclude with a study—including numerical modeling (FEFLOW) and environmental recommendations—based on a real-world contamination case.

Course Unit “Subsurface Hydrodynamics” and/or “Applied Hydrogeology” and/or “Subsurface Flow Modeling”

Comprehensive Continuous Monitoring