Simulation of air storage aquifer by finite element model

Abstract

SUMMARYA finite element model is developed to simulate the behaviour of an aquifer used as storage space for a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system. The governing equations describing a two-phase flow of air and water are coupled non-linear partial differential equations and are solved by the Galerkin approach. The resulting computer model is applied to a gas percolation problem. Upon verification of the numerical results, the model is employed to simulate the air-water displacement in a storage reservoir during daily air cycling. The corresponding saturation variations and the effects of reservoir permeability on the system are presented. The results obtained are essential in establishing storage design and stability criteria for long-term operation of compressed air energy storage systems.

Porous Media Compressed-Air Energy Storage (PM-CAES): Theory and Simulation of the Coupled Wellbore–Reservoir System

“…In fact, some of the important work in the early development of 6 the theoretical foundations for aquifer CAES was done by leaders in natural gas storage (e.g., Katz and Lady 1976). And hydrologists contributed to the analysis of the feasibility and design of aquifer CAES through early modeling studies (Meiri and Karadi 1982;Braester and Bear 1984) and more recent analytical solutions (Kushnir et al 2010).…”

“…Many outstanding issues remain to be addressed before PM-CAES can be considered established technology. We take the kinds of issues studied by Meiri and Karadi (1982) and Braester and Bear (1984) and Kushnir et al (2010) involving detailed consideration of what goes on in the porous media with respect to fluid flow, heat flow, and mass transfer during CAES cycling as our point of departure from prior work. Specifically, our investigation focuses entirely on the subsurface part of the aquifer or depleted reservoir CAES system, ignores the surface infrastructure of compressors, motor-generators, and turbines, but includes detailed consideration of the well and reservoir.…”

Thermodynamic and hydrodynamic response of compressed air energy storage reservoirs: a review

“…Also, it was shown that for certain operating conditions and reservoir characteristics, water can enter the well. Meiri and Karadi (1982) developed a numerical model for similar conditions (two-phase, two-dimensional, singlewell) but subject to a daily cycle. They examined reservoir permeability effects and found that the air-water displacement is strongly infl uenced by it.…”

Compressed Air Flow within Aquifer Reservoirs of CAES Plants

“…Furthermore, no quantitative data on the critical flow rate have been reported. Additionally, excluding the study of Meiri and Karadi (1982), all other investigations addressed only the first cycle solution, to minimize computation cost. Therefore, there exists a need for explicit formulae that cover a wide range of parameters.…”

“…Also, it was shown that for certain operating conditions and reservoir characteristics, water can enter the well. Meiri and Karadi (1982) developed a numerical model for similar conditions (two phase, two dimensional, single well), but subject to a daily cycle. They examined reservoir permeability effects and found that the air-water displacement is strongly influenced by it.…”