2004 Entries and Abstracts: Teaching With Technology
Steven Bryant
Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, PGE 421: Physical and Chemical Behavior
of Fluids II
Pressure Volume Temperature Simulations
Measurements of pressure-volume-temperature relationships of reservoir
fluids are a vital part of petroleum engineering. This PVT Simulation
is a data-driven application that simulates the experience of using specialized
laboratory equipment to take pressure, volume, and temperature measurements.
The simulation is more time-efficient for student learning and carries
negligible risk compared to a real laboratory.
In the laboratory section of his fluid behavior course, Dr. Steven Bryant
previously used a software package developed in the mid-1980s. While the
older simulation was powerful and conceptually attractive, the user interface
was dated and difficult to use. Students had to manually record data and
some hard-wired features severely limited its instructional effectiveness.
Dr. Bryant partnered with the Faculty Innovation Center (FIC) to develop a new PVT Simulation with the goal of improving the visual interface and user experience. The new simulation provides a more realistic representation of actual lab equipment. Ease-of-use has been tremendously improved, allowing students to focus on the data they are collecting and what the data mean. Students can see the data as it is collected and save a spreadsheet-compatible data file. Survey results indicate that students find the new simulation easier to use and more supportive of their learning.