Hydrogeology and Geoenvironment

lgciv2073  2026-2027  Louvain-la-Neuve

Hydrogeology and Geoenvironment
5.00 credits
30.0 h + 15.0 h
Q1
> Schedule
Teacher(s)
Rattez Hadrien;
Language
English
> French-friendly
Prerequisites
Good knowledge of geomaterials and soil mechanics as taught in courses LGCIV1031 and LGCIV1072
Main themes
The objective of this course is to learn how to manage the different scientific and technical aspects related to geoenvironmental and geoenergy hydrogeology, with links to geomechanics. It contributes to the management of environmental risk, which is an integral part of the geotechnical engineer's job, but also to current challenges related to new sources of energy and storage underground (geothermal, hydrogen, …), and the waste disposals (nuclear, CO2,…).
The course has two parts:
  • The first part deals with theoretical concepts: Fundamental principles of fluid flow and heat transport in porous media, behavior of unsaturated soils and rocks, poromechanics.
  • The second part deals with applications: geothermal energy, aquifer thermal energy storage, underground compressed air storage, industrial soil pollution, Nuclear and CO2 underground storage, unconventional oil and gas extraction.
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

Regarding the AA reference system of the 'Master of Civil Engineering Construction" program, this course contributes to the development, acquisition and evaluation of the following learning outcomes: 
  • AA1.1, AA1.2, AA1.3
  • AA2.1, AA2.2, AA2.3, AA2.5
  • AA5.1, AA5.3, AA5.5
  • AA6.1, AA6.3, AA6.4, AA6.5
At the end of this course, the student must be able to:
  • understand transport and balance between the different soil phases (solid, liquid, gas);
  • characterize advection, diffusion, dispersion and attenuation processes in saturated soil and unsaturated soil, through laboratory and in situ tests;
  • evaluate the mobility of non-aqueous fluids (light and heavy) in a given geoenvironmental context;
  • determine hydrogeological parameters (transmissivity, storage, etc.) using in situ tests and transient pumping tests;
  • calculate flow velocities and drawdown induced by pumping under transient conditions;
  • pre-design a geothermal or hydrothermal installation;
  • know the challenges and technologies currenty developed for underground storage (Nuclear waste disposal, CO2, Hydrogen).
 
Content
Theoretical part
  • Flow in porous and fractured media
  • Wells, pumping and injection
  • Unsaturated and multiphase flow
  • Heat and mass transport in porous media
  • Poromechanics and coupled THM processes
  • Experimental characterization and numerical modelling
Applications part
  • Geothermal energy and underground thermal storage
  • CO₂ geological storage
  • Geological disposal of radioactive waste
  • Hydrogen and underground gas storage
  • Hydrocarbon extraction and storage
  • Contaminant transport and soil/groundwater pollution
Teaching methods
Teaching in english, with supports in English.
Evaluation methods
  • Oral exam for the practical exercises and the theory (50% of the final grade)
  • Group project with a presentation on one of the given themes (50% of the final grade; this part cannot be retaken during the second exam period)
Other information
Depending on the availabilities, a visit may be organized on-site (quarry, excavation, pumping station, ...)
Online resources
PowerPoint slides and exercises are available on Moodle
Bibliography
Available on Moodle
Faculty or entity
> GC


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Civil Engineering
GCE2M
5
Master [120] in Environmental Bioengineering
BIRE2M
5
Interdisciplinary Advanced Master in Science and Management of the Environment and Sustainable Development
ENVI2MC
5
Master [120] in Chemistry and Bioindustries
BIRC2M
5
Master [120] in Agriculture and Bio-industries
SAIV2M
5