Recruitment Forum

Location:
IFP Energies nouvelles, Rueil-Malmaison, France ( http://www.ifpenergiesnouvelles.fr )

Context
The study of geological fluids and fluid-rock interactions in reservoirs needs a good knowledge of phase equilibrium and thermophysical properties. Modelling such phenomena becomes complex and challenging in the case of CO₂-rich and deep basins where brines, CO₂-rich phases and hydrocarbon phases coexist under high temperatures (up to 500°C) and high pressures (up to 2500 bar). For this purpose, the goal of this work is to develop electrolyte equations of state able to model phase equilibrium of pressurized systems involving ionic species.

Project description
This research work is specifically focused on the CPA-Electrolyte equation of state for which preliminary developments have been carried out in the Thermodynamic Department of IFP Energies nouvelles. The main goal is to propose parameterizations of this equation of state adapted to systems and operating conditions encountered in deep reservoirs. Phase equilibrium and compositions of the CO₂+CH₄+H₂O+NaCl system in various temperature, pressure and salinity ranges will be studied in a first time, before introducing new compounds (H₂S, N₂, H₂ ...) and new salts (CaCl₂, ...). The knowledge of phase densities is also necessary in the context of reservoir modelling. The ability of the parameterized equation of state to predict this property will be thus evaluated.

Skills

• Knowledge in thermodynamic modeling (equation of state).
  Knowledge in programming (Fortran, C++).

Duration: 1 year (1 June 2012 - 1 June 2013)

Contact: Nicolas Ferrando, e-mail: