Comparative analysis of thermodynamic and mechanical responses between underground hydrogen storage and compressed air energy storage in lined rock caverns

Underground hydrogen storage(UHS)and compressed air energy storage(CAES)are two viable largescale energy storage technologies for mitigating the intermittency of wind and solar power.Therefore,it is meaningful to compare the properties of hydrogen and air with typical thermodynamic storage processes.This study employs a multi-physical coupling model to compare the operations of CAES and UHS,integrating gas thermodynamics within caverns,thermal conduction,and mechanical deformation around rock caverns.Gas thermodynamic responses are validated using additional simulations and the field test data.Temperature and pressure variations of air and hydrogen within rock caverns exhibit similarities under both adiabatic and diabatic simulation modes.Hydrogen reaches higher temperature and pressure following gas charging stage compared to air,and the ideal gas assumption may lead to overestimation of gas temperature and pressure.Unlike steel lining of CAES,the sealing layer(fibre-reinforced plastic FRP)in UHS is prone to deformation but can effectively mitigates stress in the sealing layer.In CAES,the first principal stress on the surface of the sealing layer and concrete lining is tensile stress,whereas UHS exhibits compressive stress in the same areas.Our present research can provide references for the selection of energy storage methods.

Two-and three-dimensional stability analysis of underground storage caverns in soft rock(Cappadocia, Turkey) by finite element method

Engineering design in soft rocks and its stability analysis exerts many challenges to rock engineers. Many engineering works in Turkey’s Cappadocia region must face and tackle the existing sites covered by the soft rocks. This study is aimed to examine the stability condition of a typical underground storage cavern(USC) excavated in a soft rock in this region. For this purpose, two-and threedimensional stability analyses of the USCs were performed using the finite element method(FEM).Because of the inherent difficulty in characterizing soft/weak rock masses in the region using traditional classification systems, the stability of a typical USC was evaluated by representing the rock mass condition with two distinct scenarios in FEM analysis.While these structures were unstable according to the 2D analysis conducted in RS2 software in the worstcase scenario, they were stable in the 3D analysis using RS3 software in both scenarios. Besides,feasible cover depths were examined to assess their possible effects on the factor of safety and deformation measurements. It was found that 15 m seems to be an optimal depth for excavating a typical USC in the soft rocks exposed in the region. The 3D FEM results provide valuable information to optimize the future planning and preliminary design of USCs.

Key issues in water sealing performance of underground oil storage caverns: Advances and perspectives

Water sealing performance is important for underground water-sealed oil storage(UWSOS).The key issues concerning water sealing performance mainly include the permeability of fractured rock mass(FRM),water-sealed safety(WSS),water curtain performance,and prediction and control of water inflow.This paper reviews the progress of above four key issues on water sealing performances.First,the permeability of an FRM is the basis of water sealing performance,and several commonly used permeability test methods and spatial variation characteristics of permeability are outlined.Second,the current water sealing criteria are compared,and the evaluation methods of WSS are summarized.Third,the design parameters and efficiency evaluation of water curtain systems(WCSs)are introduced.The water inflow of oil storage caverns(OSCs)can reflect the water sealing effect,and the prediction methods and control measures of water inflow are also summarized.Finally,the advantages and disadvantages of the current research are discussed,and the potential research directions are pointed out,such as optimization of water sealing criteria and FRM model,quantitative evaluation of WCS efficiency,accurate prediction of water inflow,and improvement of grouting technology.

Design and operation problems related to water curtain system forunderground water-sealed oil storage caverns

The underground water-sealed storage technique is critically important and generally accepted for the national energy strategy in China. Although several small underground water-sealed oil storage caverns have been built in China since the 1970s, there is still a lack of experience for large-volume underground storage in complicated geological conditions. The current design concept of water curtain system and the technical instruction for system operation have limitations in maintaining the stability of surrounding rock mass during the construction of the main storage caverns, as well as the long-term stability. Although several large-scale underground oil storage projects are under construction at present in China, the design concepts and construction methods, especially for the water curtain system, are mainly based on the ideal porosity medium flow theory and the experiences gained from the similar projects overseas. The storage projects currently constructed in China have the specific features such as huge scale, large depth, multiple-level arrangement, high seepage pressure, complicated geological conditions, and high in situ stresses, which are the challenging issues for the stability of the storage caverns. Based on years’ experiences obtained from the first large-scale （millions of cubic meters） underground water-sealed oil storage project in China, some design and operation problems related to water curtain system during project construction are discussed. The drawbacks and merits of the water curtain system are also presented. As an example, the conventional concept of “filling joints with water” is widely used in many cases, as a basic concept for the design of the water curtain system, but it is immature. In this paper, the advantages and disadvantages of the conventional concept are pointed out, with respect to the long-term stability as well as the safety of construction of storage caverns. Finally, new concepts and principles for design and construction of the underground water-sealed oil storage caverns are proposed.

Rock engineering problems related to underground hydrocarbon storage

Oil and gas can be stored underground by a variety of means,such as in depleted oil and gas fields,in aquifers,in rock salt caverns,in unlined mined rock caverns,in lined shallow caverns and abandoned mines.Different types of underground storages require different geological and hydrogeological conditions and are associated with different rock engineering problems.However,the common issue is to ensure the gas-and oil-tightness of storage caverns.In other words,the stored oil and gas must not escape from the storage caverns.This may be realized by different means according to the types of storages and the sites geological conditions.There are basically two approaches of gas leakage control,i.e.permeability control and hydrodynamic containment.The latter involves the use of a water curtain system in many cases,which creates an artificial hydraulic boundary condition and helps to establish the required groundwater condition when needed.In addition to the common problems,the underground storage of liquefied petroleum gas(LPG) requires special attentions to the opening of rock joints,which result from the tensile thermal stress induced by the low storage temperature.Great care must be taken in choosing abandoned mines for oil and gas-storage since it is quite rare that the natural site conditions can meet the usual requirements,in particular for the gas tightness.The paper provides a general description of the gas leakage control for underground oil and gas storage projects,and addresses various rock engineering problems associated with selected types of storages in detail.

Deformation Analysis of LRC Underground Gas Storage

The risk during construction and in the operation of the underground gas storage （UGS） was analyzed. One of most important risk which should be prevented is large deformation or destruction of the steel lining. The specific deformation of the steel lining needs to be inside the acceptable value. This paper presents lined rock cavern （LRC） concept and specific deformations, which can occur under operation of underground gas storage. Analysis is performed with different （3D model and axis symmetrical） FEM models and analytical model. We made a comparison between analytical calculation and FEM calculation. Concrete wall is mechanically not regarded as reinforced concrete structure which means that concrete will crack. Finally, we determined the minimum value of Young＇s modulus, which satisfies the condition of maximum deformation of steel lining.

A study of water curtain parameters of underground oil storage caverns using time series monitoring and numerical simulation

Water curtain systems(WCSs)are key components for the operation of underground oil storage caverns(UOSCs)and their optimization and design are important areas of research.Based on the time series monitoring of the first large-scale underground water-sealed storage cavern project in China,and on finite element analysis,this study explores the optimum design criteria for WCSs in water-sealed oil caverns.It shows that the optimal hole spacing of the WCS for this underground storage cavern is 10 m in order to ensure seal effectiveness.When the WCS is designed with a 10-m horizontal hole spacing and a water curtain pressure(WCP)of 80 kPa,a water curtain hole(WCH)has an influence radius of approximately 25 m.The smaller the vertical distance is between a WCH and the main cavern,the greater the water inflow into the main cavern.The vertical hydraulic gradient criterion can be satisfied when this distance is 25 m.It shows that the optimal WCP is 70 kPa,which meets sealing requirements.

Status and Prospect of CTL and SNG Industry

Since the beginning of this century, revolutionary progress has been made in the understanding of resources and in the mining technologies of the oil and gas industry. Advances in petroleum engineering technology represented by horizontal wells and large-scale fracturing have promoted the scale development of low-grade and unconventional oil and gas resources. After the rapid growth of natural gas production in China for more than 10 consecutive years, the replacement of conventional natural gas resources has been weak and unconventional natural gas has become the major force for increasing production. Coal based SNG(synthetic natural gas) has also become a major competitor in the domestic market. The development of CTL(coal-toliquids) and SNG industries has brought coal resources into the oil and gas product market, expanding the concept of traditional oil and gas resources. The continuous improvement of petroleum engineering technology has promoted the development of deep underground coal gasification technology, which has given economic value to the huge amount of deep coal resources that are unable to be exploited by underground mining, and provides a tremendous resource guarantee for the sustainable development of the traditional oil and gas industry. A preliminary calculation shows that deep underground coal gasification has a competitive advantage in cost compared with high-cost, low-grade, unconventional gas and coal-based natural gas. Deep underground coal gasification is a typical cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral sophisticated technology. Domestic oil and gas enterprises have dominant advantages in the engineering technology of this field. Further technical integration innovation and multi-industry joint research are needed to eventually realize the commercial application of this deep underground coal gasification technology.

基于两相流的水封油库油气泄漏运移规律及控制措施

地下水封油库运行的关键是保持一定的水封厚度,为确定合适的水封厚度,基于气液两相流理论,采用有限元数值模拟方法,以我国某石油储备地下水封洞库为依托,模拟了地下水封石油洞库储油运行期油气的泄漏运移演变过程。结果表明:施工期不设置水幕系统情况下,洞室顶部出现了大面积的疏干区,造成后期无法储油;设置水幕系统情况下,洞库上方能够维持一定水封厚度,洞库周围岩层油气泄漏范围和泄漏量均与储油运行时间呈正幂函数关系;水封厚度越大油气泄漏范围和泄漏量越小,但过大的水封厚度会大大增加工程成本,所对应的案例在水封厚度为30 m时对油气泄漏控制最为经济合理,《地下水封石洞油库设计标准》推荐的水封厚度合理且有一定安全裕度。研究成果可为水封油库工程的设计及油气泄漏控制提供一定理论参考。

MICP技术在地下水封油库渗控注浆中的应用潜力

地下水封油库在建设及运营过程中洞室涌水量大小是影响洞库水封安全和运营成本的重要因素。目前地下水封油库工程建设中采用传统的注浆方式难以将围岩渗透性降低到设计要求,因此洞室涌水量得不到很好的控制。微生物诱导碳酸钙沉淀(MICP)技术具有注浆黏度低、环境适应性强、生成矿化物质稳定等显著优点,引起了学术界与工程界广泛的兴趣和研究。本文首先分析了地下水封油库涌水量控制中存在的相关问题,然后阐述了MICP技术对裂隙渗流控制的机理、影响因素以及对裂隙渗透性的影响效果,最后探讨了MICP技术在地下水封油库中应用的关键问题。通过分析表明,MICP作为地下水封油库渗流控制的一种辅助注浆方式,可以较为准确地控制围岩渗透性变化,达到对洞室涌水量有效控制的目的。

基于地下水化学特征的水封油库水幕系统有效性评价

水幕系统有效性是地下水封油库安全稳定运行的重要基础条件,然而目前评价水幕系统有效性的方法并不高效便捷。以我国首个大型地下水封油库工程为背景,采集油库运行期现场水样和岩样进行水质检测分析和电镜扫描试验,获取库址区地下水水化学类型和岩石的矿物成分组成特征。采用数理统计方法,基于地下水水化学特征获得了不同部位地下水之间的水力联系,开展水幕系统有效性评价。研究表明:油库运行初期库址区地下水主要为HCO^(3)—Na•Ca型水,围岩中的钾长石、钠长石和钙长石发生水化学反应,地下水中的K^(+)、Na^(+)、Ca^(2+)和HCO_(3)^(-)浓度总体呈上升趋势,pH值总体呈下降趋势;Cl^(-)浓度低于造成钢筋腐蚀的浓度,地下水对洞库支护系统无明显腐蚀作用;洞库周边监测孔地下水与水幕供水的水化学特征相似,说明水幕系统与油库围岩之间存在较好的水力联系,形成良好的水封效果。该研究可为判断地下水封油库运行情况提供重要依据,并为评价水幕系统有效性提供了一种科学方法。

地下水封石油洞库竖直水幕设计参数及其影响分析

滨海地区地下水封石油洞库工程中,需要增设竖直水幕系统,以满足其水封性和控制海水入侵。为研究竖直水幕系统的设计方法与参数,以滨海地区某地下水封石油洞库为例,通过有限元数值模拟方法获得了竖直水幕孔距主洞室距离d、竖直水幕孔间距b、竖直水幕孔长度l和竖直水幕孔注水压力p_(i)4个参数对洞库周围地下水渗流场、水封性、涌水量以及海水分布范围的影响规律,并与现有结果进行了对比验证。研究表明:竖直水幕孔距主洞室距离主要影响竖直水幕孔的埋深范围,长度的影响范围取决于超出主洞室的变化位置,间距和注水压力影响整个深度范围;4个参数对水封性和抑制海水入侵的影响程度顺序分别为:b<l<d<p_(i),d<b<l<p_(i);研究中共7个工况存在海水入侵洞室的风险,需进一步增强淡水补给。研究结论可为滨海地区地下水封石油洞库的竖直水幕设计参数提供一定理论依据。

地下水封储油洞库惰性气体注入系统分析

首先对地下水封储油洞库惰性气体注入的重要性进行了说明。然后对氮气的生产工艺原理进行了介绍,并通过工程设计实例对比分析了3种惰性气体注入系统的优缺点、投资额,对水封洞库氮气置换对建设工期的影响进行了分析,最后分析说明了地下水封洞库惰性气体注入系统分析结论及设计建议,为后续项目设计及生产运营提供了决策依据。

某水封洞库工程防渗灌浆策略研究

通过实施地下水封洞库围岩灌浆,降低围岩渗透系数,是实现提高洞库水封性和控制洞库渗水量双重目标的重要手段。笔者依托国内某在建水封洞库工程,结合已实施的不同类型灌浆数据,对预灌浆和后灌浆的灌浆效果进行对比分析,总结出灌前透水率-单位耗灰量的变化规律。结果表明:预灌浆效果优于后灌浆;在现有灌浆压力条件下,灌浆部位围岩结构没有发生明显非线性变化,可以进一步提高灌浆压力;相当部分灌浆孔的灌前透水率接近于0 Lu,单位耗灰量也仅为封堵灌浆孔的耗灰量,灌浆判据有进一步调整优化的空间。研究成果对后续水封洞库灌浆具有很强的指导作用和参考价值。

青海某抽水蓄能电站地下厂房洞室群围岩稳定性及支护效果研究

青海某抽水蓄能电站地下厂房属典型深埋大型地下厂房洞室群,具有埋深大、跨度大、边墙高的特点,且受厂区内小断层发育等地质条件限制,其围岩稳定性问题复杂且重要。通过现场实测结合数值模拟计算的方法,对地下厂房洞室群围岩稳定性及支护效果进行了研究。研究表明,地下洞室以降低围岩受开挖扰动的程度和维持围压水平的方式进行支护,支护后围岩塑性区深度、变形均改善,支护结构受力情况较好,说明洞室间距合理,围岩整体稳定,具备成洞条件。本研究对类似地下洞室群的设计和施工具有参考意义。

地下储氢技术现状及在中国加快发展的可行性

随着能源转型升级需求的日益迫切,氢能以其零污染、零碳排、无次生污染的优势,将成为中国能源体系的重要组成部分,也是中国石化新能源业务的主要主攻方向。目前,中国主要采用高压气态储氢、低温液态储氢和固态合金储氢等地面储氢方式,其储氢成本高,储氢效率低。与地面储氢相比,地下储氢以其规模大、成本低、更高的安全性,展现出更为广阔的发展潜力和应用前景。在国际上,混合储氢技术已在法国、德国等国家实现了一定规模的应用;纯氢气地下存储技术在美国取得较好的应用效果,但在中国这一领域的应用和研究近乎空白,尚处于起步阶段。针对氢气强流动性、高泄漏风险及强腐蚀性的特点,通过研究明确地下储氢面临的技术挑战,包括对圈闭密封性、地层条件、完井材料、地面工艺等方面。从枯竭油气藏资源、盐岩资源、储气库建设与运行管理技术等方面出发,分析中国开展地下储氢技术的可行性。中国西部和中东部拥有多个大型油气藏,枯竭油气藏资源丰富,具备开展地下混合氢储试验和氢储能的条件;盐岩分布广泛,用盐穴储存纯氢或氢储能切实可行;中国在气藏型储气库和盐穴型储气库建设与运行管理技术方面已积累了丰富经验和技术储备。综合分析认为中国具备了开展地下储氢的条件和技术。

地下水封石洞油库对地下水的影响数值模拟分析

根据钻孔提水试验数据求出影响半径和渗透系数,按照地下水动力学方法求出了洞库涌水量,采用三维地下水数值模拟模型MODFLOW对山东某地地下水封石洞油库涌水对地下水位的下降影响规律和地下水漏斗进行了数值模拟和预测,分析石洞油库涌水对区域地下水的影响。分析结果表明:洞库涌水量较小,在施工3 a期间涌水主要来自岩石的弹性释水,对地下水位基本无影响;不考虑储油的情况下,模拟洞库运行50 a,地下水位在垂向随时间线性下降,平面上影响范围不大。

盐穴地下储油库热质交换及蠕变

为了确保盐穴储油库的密闭性和安全性,建立了油、卤水和围岩的热交换模型以及由于温度变化而引起的溶腔压力变化模型,同时建立了岩盐蠕变和渗透模型.通过TDMA算法对模型进行了求解,结果表明,油在7a的放置过程中,温度升高了8.635℃,压力升高了8.97MPa,即温度升高1℃压力约升高1MPa.另外,盐穴的蠕变量随着放置时间的增加而减小.岩盐的渗透率很小,油的渗透量可以忽略.温度变化对溶腔压力有重要的影响,油和卤水的热膨胀系数与可压缩系数的比值决定了温度变化对压力的影响程度.在实际注油时,要准确测量油和卤水的可压缩系数和热膨胀系数,以便对溶腔内液体的温度和压力做出正确的预测和判断.

地下水封石油洞库渗水量预测与统计

渗水量规模与空间分布特征是地下水封石油洞库建设中的关键问题。以中国首个大型地下水封石油洞库项目为背景,采用经验公式、有限元法计算和现场实测等方法研究了该洞库渗水量规模和空间分布特征。在大量现场岩体渗透性试验基础上,获得了可靠的岩体渗透系数,采用经验公式和数值计算等方法对洞库渗水量规模和空间分布特征进行了预测。根据现场揭露的渗水形态,统计了洞库渗水量规模,获得了渗水量空间分布特征,调查了渗水部位地质特征,据此提出了渗水量控制标准和有针对性的工程注浆防渗对策。通过对比预测与统计结果,讨论了渗水量规模预测方法适用性和渗水量空间分布特征离散性等问题。研究成果为提高中国地下水封石油洞库建设水平提供了理论支持,并为复杂条件下地下工程渗流特性研究提供了工程实例。

地下石油洞库水封性评价方法体系及应用

水封性评价是地下水封石油洞库建设的关键科学问题。围绕地下石油洞库水封性评价,提出了地下水封石油洞库水封性评价的水文地质概念模型,总结了水封性评价中地下水、岩体性质与地质环境和洞库工程特征3个方面基础数据,分析了三者之间关系;分析了经验法、数值分析法和试验法三大类评价方法的特点和对应的适用范围,提出了评价方法"三适应"选用原则:评价方法与建设阶段、评价目标和参数要求相适应,提出了水封性评价流程,分析了不同评价阶段所应采用评价方法和重点的评价内容;以具体工程为背景,介绍了评价方法体系的应用情况,并着重介绍了经验法、裂隙网络法和现场试验法在水封性评价中的使用情况。研究成果对提高地下水封石油洞库水封性评价水平具有重要参考价值。