UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit will give students the ability to understand and analyse three core concepts in energy production and sequestration systems: fundamental thermophysical behaviour, steady state production operations, and the transient mechanics of start-up and shut-down. These concepts are fundamental to understanding current and future energy resources, from existing LNG feedstocks to the future of hydrogen production and CO2 capture and sequestration which will be key to the energy transition.

In the first module (corresponding to learning outcomes #1 and #2), students will familiarize themselves with thermophysical property predictions, from both first principles and software, with a particular focus on analysing fouling in systems for production and sequestration. Obstacles to safe production will be discussed, from corrosion to unwanted solids formation, with students given an understanding of when and where these phenomena may occur, and strategies to prevent or manage them.

In the second module (corresponding to learning outcomes #3 and #4), a practical foundation in transmission line fouling will be complemented with an investigation of multiphase flow mathematics from fundamentals to application. Students will learn to construct steady state simulations in industry standard software such as OLGA, and will further demonstrate the ability to sense check these tools with hand calculations. This model will provide students with the ability to construct simplified steady state descriptions of flow behaviour (across a range of pressure, temperature, and phase holdup conditions), and understand the limitations of such calculations in practical engineering applications.

In the third module (corresponding to learning outcomes #5 and #6), the challenges of transient engineering operations will be explored, where students will make use of transient multiphase flow simulation software to understand operational concerns for real world scenarios. This section of the course will impart an understanding of the opportunities and pitfalls both of operational strategies, and the tools used to analyse them. "

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) identify the primary flow assurance concerns for both production and sequestration systems for LNG, CO2 and H2; (2) understand the mechanisms, both fundamental and practical, by which fouling concerns are managed in production and sequestration systems; (3) perform hand calculations demonstrating an understanding of the fundamentals of multiphase flow for steady state systems; (4) undertake steady state simulations with OLGA for production and sequestration systems, comparing and contrasting these predictions with those of hand calculations to understand the value and limitations of each approach; (5) perform transient multiphase flow simulations with OLGA to identify opportunities and pitfalls of both operational strategies and the simulation tools used to analyse them; and (6) present a clear and concise flow assurance field design recommendation, which is supported by heuristics, hand calculations, and OLGA simulation, highlighting uncertainties and studies to close these knowledge gaps.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) quizzes; (2) engineering reports; and (3) presentations. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Bruce Norris

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in 62520 Master of Low Emission Energy Technologies
or
Enrolment in

62550 Master of Professional Engineering (Chemical Engineering specialisation)

and Successful completion of

CHPR4404 Advanced Thermodynamics and Mass Transfer Processes

or
Enrolment in

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) or an associated Combined Degree and a WAM of at least 50

and Successful completion of

( 120 points
and CHPR3404 Advanced Thermodynamics and Mass Transfer Processes

)