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Industrial Affiliates Program in Flow and Reaction in Porous Media

The Industrial Affiliates Program in Flow and Reaction in Porous Media (IAPFRPM) is a nationally recognized university-industry collaboration that trains PhD and Masters students in cooperation with industrial scientists and engineers. Following the pioneering work of Professor Donald L. Katz, who was awarded the National Medal of Science, IAPFRPM seeks to enhance the understanding of, and procedures for, the stimulation of petroleum reservoirs. Research topics are of mutual interest to both industry and academia; IAPFRPM encourages students to find industrial mentors and spend time in an industrial environment so that the cross-fertilization of research ideas and skills may be facilitated.

Research Thrust Areas
IAPFRPM relies on graduate students from Chemical Engineering to conduct research that is scientifically meaningful and relevant to industry. Research activities emphasize solving problems that are of concern to the production of petroleum:

  • Characterization and categorization of Asphaltenes
  • Improving and innovating reservoir anti-fouling technologies
  • Understanding wax-in-oil gel formation and prevention
  • Characterizing optimal growth conditions for bacterial profile modification

As a university-industry partnership, IAPFRPM offers numerous opportunities for collaboration through noncompetitive, nonproprietary research.

Funding Sources
IAPFRPM is funded through contributions of participating companies. Annual tax-deductible membership fees are $30,000 and are pledged to be renewed for a three year period.

Administrative Staff
IAPFRPM is administered by Professor H. Scott Fogler with the assistance of Senior Executive Assistant Laura Bracken.

Advisory Committees
An Industrial Advisory Committee, consisting of one representative from each member company, meets annually in June to review current research efforts, make recommendations on research priorities, and suggest possible future areas of collaboration.

Education and Training
IAPFRPM graduate programs include a master's degree and PhD programs in Chemical Engineering.

Industry Membership
Participation in IAPFRPM offers significant advantages to organizations involved in the production of petroleum. Member companies are encouraged to participate in IAPFRPM research program by funding nonproprietary research and by sponsoring graduate students who then spend time working at a member company's work site.

Member companies enjoy a variety of other benefits as well, among them:
o The opportunity to preview technical papers and reports prepared by IAPFRPM scientists
o Access to highly qualified graduates in Chemical Engineering
o Use of IAPFRPM's state-of-the-art equipment at reduced rates

For more information, contact:

H. Scott Fogler, Director
Industrial Affiliates Program in Flow and Reaction in Porous Media
University of Michigan College of Engineering
H. H. Dow Building
2300 Hayward Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2136
(734) 763-1361 phone
(734) 763-0459 fax
sfogler@umich.edu e-mail