Effects of cavern spacing on the performance and stability of gas-filled storage caverns
Three-dimensional finite element analyses of gas-filled storage caverns in domal salt were performed to investigate the effects of cavern spacing on surface subsidence, storage loss, and cavern stability. The finite element model used for this study models a seven cavern storage field with one center cavern and six hexagonally spaced surrounding caverns. Cavern spacing is described in terms of the P/D ratio which is the pillar thickness (the width between two caverns) divided by the cavern diameter. With the stratigraphy and cavern size held constant, simulations were performed for P/D ratios of 6.0, 3.0, 2.0, 1.0, and 0.5. Ten year simulations were performed modeling a constant 400 psi gas pressure applied to the cavern lining. The calculations were performed using JAC3D, a three dimensional finite element analysis code for nonlinear quasistatic solids. For the range of P/D ratios studied, cavern deformation and storage volume were relatively insensitive to P/D ratio, while subsidence volume increased with increasing P/D ratio. A stability criterion which describes stability in terms of a limiting creep strain was used to investigate cavern stability. The stability criterion indicated that through-pillar instability was possible for the cases of P/D = 0.5 and 1.0.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 10152470
- Report Number(s):
- SAND--92-2545; ON: DE93013497
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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032000
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990200
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTERS
NATURAL GAS
PERFORMANCE
SALT CAVERNS
SALT DEPOSITS
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
STABILITY
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
TRANSPORT, HANDLING, AND STORAGE
UNDERGROUND STORAGE