• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.155-167
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• 2015

The thermal-hydrological-mechanical (T-H-M) behavior of rock mass surrounding a high-temperature cavern thermal energy storage (CTES) operated for a period of 30 years has been investigated by TOUGH2-FLAC3D simulator. As a fundamental study for the development of prediction and control technologies for the environmental change and rock mass behavior associated with CTES, the key concerns were focused on the hydrological-thermal multiphase flow and the consequential mechanical behavior of the surrounding rock mass, where the insulator performance was not taken into account. In the present study, we considered a large-scale cylindrical cavern at shallow depth storing thermal energy of $350^{\circ}C$. The numerical results showed that the dominant heat transfer mechanism was the conduction in rock mass, and the mechanical behavior of rock mass was influenced by thermal factor (heat) more than hydrological factor (pressure). The effective stress redistribution, displacement and surface uplift caused by heating of rock and boiling of ground-water were discussed, and the potential of shear failure was quantitatively examined. Thermal expansion of rock mass led to the ground-surface uplift on the order of a few centimeters and the development of tensile stress above the storage cavern, increasing the potential of shear failure.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.599-608
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• 2009

This study was conducted to examine chemical characteristics and correlations among seepage water, subsurface waters and inland groundwater in and around a coastal underground LPG cavern using factor and cluster analyses. The study area is located in western coast of Incheon metropolitan city and is about 8 km off the coast. The LPG cavern storing propane and butane was built beneath artificially reclaimed island. Mean bathymetry is 8.5 m and maximum sea level change is 10 m. Water sampling was conducted in May and August, 2006 from 22 sampling points. Correlation analysis showed strong correlations among $Fe^{2+}$ and $Mn^{2+}$ (r=0.83~0.99), and Na and Cl (r=0.70~0.97), which indicated reductive dissolution of iron and manganese bearing minerals and seawater ingression effect, respectively. According to factor analysis, Factors 1 (May) and I (August) showed high loadings for parameters representing seawater ingression into the cavern and effect of submarine groundwater discharge, respectively while Factors 2 and IV showed high loadings for those representing oxidation condition (DO and ORP). Factors 4 and II have large positive loadings for $Fe^{2+}$ and $Mn^{2+}$. The increase of $Fe^{2+}$ and $Mn^{2+}$ was related to decomposition of organic matter and subsequent their dissolution under reduced condition. Cluster analysis showed the resulting 6 groups for May and 5 groups for August, which mainly included groups of inland groundwater, cavern seepage water, sea water and subsurface water in the LPG storage cavern. Subsurface water (Group 2 and Group III) around the underground storage cavern showed high EC and major ions contents, which represents the seawater effect. Cavern seepage water (Group 5 and Group II) showed a reduced condition (low DO and negative ORP) and higher levels of $Fe^{2+}$ and $Mn^{2+}$.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.394-405
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• 2011

In this paper, we applied coupled non-isothermal, multiphase fluid flow and geomechanical numerical modeling using TOUGH-FLAC coupled analysis to study the complex thermodynamic and geomechanical performance of underground lined rock caverns (LRC) for compressed air energy storage (CAES). Mechanical stress in concrete linings as well as pressure and temperature within a storage cavern were examined during initial and long-term operation of the storage cavern for CAES. Our geomechanical analysis showed that effective stresses could decrease due to air penetration pressure, and tangential tensile stress could develop in the linings as a result of the air pressure exerted on the inner surface of the lining, which would result in tensile fracturing. According to the simulation in which the tensile tangential stresses resulted in radial cracks, increment of linings' permeability and air leakage though the linings, tensile fracturing occurred at the top and at the side wall of the cavern, and the permeability could increase to $5.0{\times}10^{-13}m^2$ from initially prescribed $10{\times}10^{-20}m^2$. However, this air leakage was minor (about 0.02% of the daily air injection rate) and did not significantly impact the overall storage pressure that was kept constant thanks to sufficiently air tight surrounding rocks, which supports the validity of the concrete-lined underground caverns for CAES.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.15 no.3 s.56
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• pp.169-176
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• 2005

The decreasing pattern of underground temperature measured at 'Gonjiam cold storage cavern' during 7 years which was the first commercial scale underground food storage cavern in Korea was analyzed. The variation of energy consumption was discussed by comparing the consumed energy at the initial operation stage with that at later stage, when the temperature distribution reached a stabilized condition. The point to be considered at the design stage was also discussed by comparing the required refrigerator capacity at the initial operation stage with that at later stage. The extra energy to freeze the groundwater contained in pore space was discussed by analyzing the changing pattern of the rock temperature. The variation of measured rock temperature was compared with the estimated temperature using a numerical code, FLAC. The accuracy of the numerical estimation was discussed by comparing the heat flux measured by the operation time of the refrigerator with that estimated numerically.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2005

To investigate the feasibility of a new concept of storing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in a lined hard rock cavern, and to develop essential technologies for constructing underground LNG storage facilities, a small pilot plant storing liquid nitrogen (LN2) has been constructed at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM). The LN2 stored in the cavern will subject the host rock around the cavern to very low temperatures, which is expected to cause the development of an ice ring and the change of ground condition around the storage cavern. To investigate and monitor changes in ground conditions at this pilot plant site, geophysical, hydrogeological, and rock mechanical investigations were carried out. In particular, geophysical methods including borehole radar and three-dimensional (3D) resistivity surveys were used to identify and monitor the development of an ice ring, and other possible changes in ground conditions resulting from the very low temperature of LN2 in the storage tank. We acquired 3D resistivity data before and after storing the LN2, and the results were compared. From the 3D images obtained during the three phases of the resistivity monitoring survey, we delineated zones of distinct resistivity changes that are closely related to the storage of LN2. In these results, we observed a decrease in resistivity at the eastern part of the storage cavern. Comparing the hydrogeological data and Joint patterns around the storage cavern, we interpret this change in resistivity to result from changes in the groundwater flow pattern. Freezing of the host rock by the very low temperature of LN2 causes a drastic change in the hydrogeological conditions and groundwater flow patterns in this pilot plant.

• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.119-120
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• 2000

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 1996

A two dimensional analysis program for groundwater flow in fractured network was developed to analyze the influence of discontinuity characteristics on groundwater flow. This program involves the generation of discontinuities and also connectivity analysis. The discontinuities were generated by the probabilistic density function(P.D.F.) reflecting the characteristics of discontinuities. And the fracture network model was completed through the connectivity analysis. This program also involves the analysis of groundwater flow through the discontinuity network. The result of numerical experiment shows that the equivalent hydraulic conductivity increased and became closer to isotropic as the density and trace length increased. And hydraulic head decreased along the fracture zone because of much water-flow. The grouting increased the groundwater head around cavern. An analysis of groundwater flow through discontinuity network was performed around underground oil storage cavern which is now under construction. The probabilistic density functions(P.D.F) were obtained from the investigation of the discontinuity trace map. When the anisotropic hydraulic conductivity is used, the flow rate into the cavern was below the acceptable value to maintain the hydraulic containment. But when the isotropic hydraulic conductivity is used, the flow rate was above the acceptable value.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2000.09a
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• pp.93-103
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• 2000

The concrete plug in an underground cavern prevents the stored product (oil, gas, etc) from leaking and the excessive show of underground water, so it plays an important role in construction and operation of the storage cavern. Additionally, it should maintain its stability under every possible loading condition. Once the plug is constructed, the cavern is isolated from the external access. Therefore, mechanical and hydraulic consideration should be made in construction to fulfill its function. Therefore, in this study, numerical analyses were conducted to study the optimal shape and thickness of the plug with respect to the various conditions of installation depth, the shape of the plug, in-situ stress ratio (K), the condition of rock-plug interface, and the effect of Excavation Damaged Zone (EDZ). This paper also presents the effect of slot depth on the hydraulic behavior of the plug. These analyses were carried out by using the 2-dimensional finite difference code, rm FLAC, and the 3D code, m FLA $C^{3D}$./.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.344-354
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• 2000

The concrete plug in an underground cavern prevents the stored product (oil, gas, etc) from leaking and the excessive inflow of underground water, so it plays an important role in construction and operation of the storage cavern. Additionally, it should maintain its stability under every possible loading condition. Once the plug is constructed, the cavern is isolated from the external access. Therefore, mechanical and hydraulic consideration should be made in construction to fulfill its function. Therefore, in this study, numerical analyses were conducted to study the optimal shape and thickness of the plug with respect to the various conditions of installation depth, the shape of the plug, in-situ stress ratio (K), the condition of rock-plug interface, and the effect of Excavation Damaged Zone (EDZ). This paper also presents the effect of slot depth on the hydraulic behavior of the plug. These analyses were carried out by using the 2-dimensional finite difference code, rm FLAC, and the 3D code, rm FLAC$\^$3D/.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 1994

This study Is to summarize the contents for the investigation and design of the construction for oil storage. Since underground caverns are large scale, in their construction one should consider the mechanical stability of cave·rns and the economic view of construction. On the basis of them, cavern's section and layout were determined and water curtains were designed to maintain hydraulic equilibrium so that gases were sealed tightly. Also the supporting criteria for rock bolt and stotcrete were determined by means of the classification of rock masses and the results of finite element method. The criteria of grouting reinforcement were presented according to the results of injection test in the pilot holes of working face.