Mathematical model of salt cavern leaching for gas storage in high-insoluble salt formations

Li, Jinlong; Shi, Xilin; Yang, Chunhe; Li, Yinping; Wang, Tongtao; Ma, Hongling

doi:10.1038/s41598-017-18546-w

Cited by 35 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 25 publications

(20 reference statements)

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“…Accordingly, a sequential coupling of transport and chemistry as described in Steefel et al [8] does not suffice but an additional approach to describe the process interaction at the solid/liquid interface is required. Reactive transport models dealing with rock salt often use a mass transfer rate to overcome this limitation [9][10][11]. Laouafa et al [12,13] introduced a local non-equilibrium diffuse interface model to describe the dissolution of halite and gypsum at the interface.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Leaching Zones within Potash Seams Reproduced by Reactive Transport Simulations

Steding

Kempka

Zirkler

et al. 2021

Water

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Leaching zones within potash seams generally represent a significant risk to subsurface mining operations and the construction of technical caverns in salt rocks, but their temporal and spatial formation has been investigated only rudimentarily to date. To the knowledge of the authors, current reactive transport simulation implementations are not capable to address hydraulic-chemical interactions within potash salt. For this reason, a reactive transport model has been developed and complemented by an innovative approach to calculate the interchange of minerals and solution at the water-rock interface. Using this model, a scenario analysis was carried out based on a carnallite-bearing potash seam. The results show that the evolution of leaching zones depends on the mineral composition and dissolution rate of the original salt rock, and that the formation can be classified by the dimensionless parameters of Péclet (Pe) and Damköhler (Da). For Pe > 2 and Da > 1, a funnel-shaped leaching zone is formed, otherwise the dissolution front is planar. Additionally, Da > 1 results in the formation of a sylvinitic zone and a flow barrier. Most scenarios represent hybrid forms of these cases. The simulated shapes and mineralogies are confirmed by literature data and can be used to assess the hazard potential.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Leaching Zones within Potash Seams Reproduced by Reactive Transport Simulations

Steding

Kempka

Zirkler

et al. 2021

Water

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“…Li et al. 29 built a numerical model based on the empirical work of Durie et al 30,31 . and Xiao et al 32 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methodology for the nonlinear coupled multi‐physics simulation of mineral dissolution

Rivas

Gracie

et al. 2021

Num Anal Meth Geomechanics

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This article presents a numerical methodology for the simulation of mineral dissolution which couples brine flow, dissolved mineral transport, and cavity evolution. The proposed model considers both (1) the varying density brine flow within the cavity governed by the compressible Navier‐Stokes equations and (2) the evolution of the cavity boundary using a sharp interface model with a physically‐derived dissolution rate equation. The proposed nonlinear multi‐physics model can capture complex flow patterns such as the generation of a vortex in the cavity. The impact of those complex flow patterns on the cavity development can be studied because of the coupling of brine flow and dissolution front movement. The model employs a new strategy to explicitly track the dissolution front, which results in low computational cost for long‐term dissolution simulations. The proposed model is verified through a convergence analysis, showing both spatial and temporal convergence. Numerical simulations of mineral dissolution in horizontal cavities are conducted to investigate the flow velocity, mass fraction of dissolved mineral, cavity shape evolution, and dissolution rate over time. Additionally, a discussion on the effect of Peclet number on mineral dissolution in the cavity is undertaken.

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“…Thanks to the echometric measurements, it is possible to check whether the chamber develops in accordance with the adopted assumptions. Computer simulations allow the design of the leaching programme prior to the start of the leaching process and its correction while it is running [12,16,17]. In a more advanced stage of leaching a dissolution rate may be controlled by the modelling and analysis of fluid flow velocity and its density changes, [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Method to Increase the Leaching Progress of Salt Caverns with the Use of the Hydro-Jet Technique

Chromik

Korzeniowski

2021

Energies

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For the storage of hydrocarbons, hydrogen, or other products, underground caverns left over from the exploitation of salt deposits, or made specifically for this purpose, are successfully used. This article analyses the effectiveness of currently used well-leaching technologies in terms of the possibility of increasing the speed of obtaining industrial brine, better control of the shape of the created cavern, and, as a result, a shorter production time. An innovative solution was proposed, which consisted of creating appropriate niches in the walls of the leach well using the high-pressure hydrojet technique, just before the start of the sump leaching. A series of numerical simulations of the technologies were performed for various combinations of niche locations along the well, determining the successive phases of the formation of the cavern space at individual stages and the brine concentration increments for the two assumed technology scenarios. As a result of the modified technology, the possibility of creating a sump with a volume greater than 17%, compared to the classical method carried out at the same time, was indicated. The resulting sump also had a better shape to partially eliminate the reduction in leaching efficiency due to the accumulation of insoluble matter at the bottom. In addition, the brine obtained according to the modified technology had a 15% higher concentration than in the classical method.

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Mathematical model of salt cavern leaching for gas storage in high-insoluble salt formations

Cited by 35 publications

References 25 publications

Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Leaching Zones within Potash Seams Reproduced by Reactive Transport Simulations

Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Leaching Zones within Potash Seams Reproduced by Reactive Transport Simulations

Methodology for the nonlinear coupled multi‐physics simulation of mineral dissolution

A Method to Increase the Leaching Progress of Salt Caverns with the Use of the Hydro-Jet Technique

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