Silesian University of Technology (Project Promoter)

The Silesian University of Technology (SUT) is the biggest technical university in Silesia Region and one of the biggest in Poland, currently educating about 30 000 students on 13 Faculties in 48 engineering disciplines. It is an organization with great research and teaching potential exerting a stimulating impact on the growth of Silesia and significantly contributes to the creation of the economy based on knowledge management.

The key role in the ENFLUID project plays Faculty of Mining and Geology (FMG). The Faculty employs 34 professors and associate professors as well as 116 PhDs, and runs the scope of research concerning modern mining, which covers appropriate geological identification of mineral deposits, economically effective extraction of raw materials, use of energy-saving and fail-safe machines, meeting requirements of safety and environmental protection.

The important role in the project plays Faculty of Chemistry (FCh), employing: 30 D.Sc. faculty members including 17 full professors. In 2011 faculty was involved in realization of 23 research grants. The staff members get 16 patents and other 23 were submitted for evaluation.

The role of the SUT consists of execution experiments on the relatively long term impact of energized fracturing fluids and CO2 on reservoir rocks. SUT has access to the appropriate reaction chamber, allowing for conducting such experiments with simultaneous measurement not only temperature and pressure but also the pH. The important task of SUT is the development of mathematical models of relevant geochemical phenomena. The project management and coordination are also the duties of the SUT. Within WP6 SUT will also conduct laboratory and experimental research on the possibility of purification and recycling of flowback. They are crucial to the development of energized fracturing in those areas where there is scarcity of water resources and the specific requirements of environmental protection.

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