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Computer model for describing the development of solution-mined cavities

Journal Article · · In Situ; (United States)
OSTI ID:7278331
;
Fluid flow regimes in a cavity being leached by water circulation vary over a wide range during the course of development of the cavity. Mathematical modelling of this process is based on a description of the physical and chemical processes taking place in the cavity. Salt dissolution in the presence of undersaturated brine, which is conceived to be in the regime of turbulent natural convection mass transfer, was studied experimentally. Empirical relations were derived for the rate of salt dissolution as a function of (a) brine concentration and (b) angle of inclination of the salt/water interface. The buoyant rise of fresh water in brine (plume rise) and the effect of lateral confinement on the growth of the plume were studied in a laboratory model utilizing heat anemometry and shadow-graph techniques, in order to obtain the needed visibility. Results indicated that lateral confinement is the main cause of gravity inversion in brine. On the basis of these and previous studies, a numerical model was developed capable of simulating the leaching of a single cavity in homogeneous salt for either reverse or direct circulation with constant or variable rates of injection. The cavity configuration prediction of the computer model compared favorably with measurements of two actual cavities.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Texas, Austin
OSTI ID:
7278331
Journal Information:
In Situ; (United States), Journal Name: In Situ; (United States) Vol. 1:1; ISSN ISOMD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
024000 -- Petroleum-- Storage-- (-1989)
052000 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Management
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
42 ENGINEERING
422000* -- Engineering-- Mining & Underground Engineering-- (1980-)
BRINES
CAVITIES
DISSOLUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
LEACHING
MANAGEMENT
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MINING
PETROLEUM
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
SALT DEPOSITS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLUTION MINING
STORAGE
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT