Alumni of the Subsurface Hydrology Research Group

Xinwo Huang, Ph.D.

Xinwo Huang

Xinwo completed his PhD in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His early research focused on modeling large-scale geological carbon sequestration using a range of computational models with varying levels of complexity, from single-phase semi-analytic solutions to multi-phase numerical simulators. He used the Basal Aquifer of Canada as a test case, and showed that relatively simple models are appropriate for large-scale analysis of these systems. He later focused on pore-scale models for shale-gas systems, developing models that include two-phase flow, mixed wettability, fluid compressibility, sorption and slip flow. Xinwo was also a Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP) fellow within the Woodrow Wilson School. His STEP project focused on shale gas, synthetic natural gas, CCS and solar desalination coexistence in areas with high water stress. Before joining Princeton, Xinwo received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Tsinghua University in Beijing. In 2015, Xinwo has been named as a lifelong Siebel Scholar in Energy Science based on academic excellence and demonstrated leadership.

Trenton Franz, Ph.D.

Trenton Franz

Trenton's interests were in the processes that influence dryland ecosystem’s vegetation patterns. The main focus of his PhD was on the dryland ecosystem of central Kenya. In addition to extensive field campaigns using geophysical techniques to understand near surface soil moisture dynamics, Trenton developed numerical models to study the ecosystem water balance at the regional and hillslope spatial scales. Utilizing a resource tradeoff hypothesis for dryland vegetation organization, complex problems, such as the optimal spatial pattern of vegetation, can be made into tractable optimization problems. Trenton is currently a Professor at the University of Nebraska, see

Benjamin Court, Ph.D. - Email

Benjamin Court

Ben's research focused on two critical aspects of CO2 sequestration: the previously identified issue of CO2 sequestration safety, and the newly identified issue of water management coupled to carbon capture and sequestration operations.

Full publication list (pdf of papers available upon email request)

Personal Website

Dissertation: Court, B. 2011, Safety and Water Challenges in CCS: Modeling Studies to Quantify CO2 and Brine Leakage Risk and Evaluate Promising Synergies for Active and Integrated Water Management, Ph.D. Dissertation, Princeton University.

Adam Janzen, MSE

Juan Nogues

Adam's thesis, entitled "Development and Application of a Multi-Scale, Multi-Layer Numerical Model for CO2 Injection", described a new subscale analytical correction for calculating pressures at injection wells and investigated the effects of diffuse brine flows through low-permeability confining layers on the pressure response of a multi-layered system. Adam received his B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2008. Earlier this spring he earned local bragging rights in Princeton by winning the 30th Annual Longbeard Contest at the Alchemist and Barrister.

Dissertation: Janzen, A. 2010, Development and Application of a Multi-Scale, Multi-Layer Numerical Model for CO2 Injection, MSE Dissertation, Princeton University.

James Wang, MSc

James Wang

James developed a software framework in MATLAB using an adaptive Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampler to automate parameter estimation from Vertical Interference Test pressure profiles. He received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a minor in Applied Microeconomics from Washington University. James spent a summer interning with Procter & Gamble and another summer researching air pollution at Tsinghua University and with MIRTHE. He grew up in Princeton Junction and enjoys playing tennis, ultimate frisbee, and snowboarding.

 
 
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