Economic feasibility of inert cushions in underground gas storage

Technical Report · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5835544

Rising gas prices and potential changes in federal tax-credit and income-tax policies will influence the gas industry's use of inert-gas cushions for underground gas storage. A study of the physical properties of storage reservoirs examined three inert gases as alternatives to a natural gas cushion - cryogenic nitrogen, engine exhaust gas, and boiler flue gas. The reservoir site proved to be the most important factor; ideally, it should allow an alternative use for the products of the inert-gas generator. Moreover, the reservoir should minimize the mixing between inert and natural gas. Under these conditions, cryogenic nitrogen is the most cost-effective choice; it would be cheaper to use than natural gas priced at $2.60-$3.40/1000 CF.

• Research Organization: Lewin and Associates, Inc., Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5835544
• Report Number(s): DOE/FE-33008-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
035000* -- Natural Gas-- Storage-- (1989-)
COST
CRYOGENICS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
EXHAUST GASES
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FLUE GAS
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
MIXING
NATURAL GAS
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
OPERATION
STORAGE
STORAGE FACILITIES
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
WASTES