As a visiting professor at the Institute of Drilling Technology and Fluid Mining at TUBAF, Professor Andreas Nascimento will spend the next eighteen months investigating how drilling can become more efficient thanks to new methods and automation. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) and the Brazilian Ministry of Education are supporting him in this endeavour.
"The infrastructure here at the institute is unique!" The Brazilian guest professor is referring in particular to a test facility consisting of long, partially transparent pipes in which the flow of drilling fluid and data transmission during drilling can be simulated.
When the alumnus of the University of Leoben presses a small remote control, he starts the experiment with a control and software system - and thus also several sensors and measuring points for the pressure curve along the experimental section. It is this data in particular that interests the TUBAF guest scientist: "Only what is measured can be optimised: I am also investigating how measurement data obtained underground can be sent quickly and reliably through the pipeline in the form of pressure fluctuations. The pressure pipe represents a drill string as used in deep drilling technology. In deep boreholes, data cannot be transmitted entirely by radio or cable." The data from the depths helps deep drilling engineers to make the entire drilling process more efficient. To this end, real-time technologies and methods are becoming increasingly important, also to ensure safe and economical access to energy-related natural resources."
For this purpose, Professor Andreas Nascimento has developed a process that he would soon like to further analyse through experiments at the unique test facility. "If I wasn't here in Freiberg, I wouldn't be able to pursue my research approach nearly as extensively," says Professor Andreas Nascimento. "Here, I am at one of the best research institutions in the world for my research!"
"We are very proud that Professor Andreas Nascimento has chosen the Institute of Drilling Technology and Fluid Mining for his research stay - this is a recognition of the quality of our work! Several dissertations have already been completed and several patents granted on this particular flow test facility developed in-house," says host Professor Matthias Reich.
Support for exchange and networking - privately and professionally
Also, the scholarship holder mentions many advantages of the AvH scholarship outside of academic life: "I am particularly grateful that my whole family was able to come to Freiberg with me thanks to the support of the foundation. That gives me strength for my academic endeavours!"
According to Professor Andreas Nascimento, the family atmosphere at his host institute and the university also contributed to this: "The International Office arranged a flat for us in the DBI guest house and is always there if there are any questions, as are my colleagues at the institute. And recently we went curling with the team in Freiberg's castle courtyard - that makes the cold winter in Germany a bit more pleasant! The AvH Foundation also promotes academic exchange with other universities in Europe - "a great opportunity that I would like to take advantage of to expand my academic network".
University cooperation sealed since 2023
In May 2023, TUBAF signed a technical and scientific cooperation agreement with Professor Andreas Nascimento's home university, the Universidade Federal de Itajubá (UNIFEI). In autumn 2023, students from the Geoengineering degree programme travelled to UNIFEI, among other places, as part of a excursion abroad. The guest visit by Professor Andreas Nascimento is another measure within the scope of the cooperation. The Brazilian is also officially a habilitation candidate at TUBAF: "The habilitation at this renowned university enables me to grow professionally and personally, and this also applies to the CAPES Humboldt Research Fellowship Programme for experienced AvH researchers!"