Optimizing Hydrogen Storage in Salt Caverns: Assessing Permeation and Leakage Dynamics

作     者：Li, Peng Li, Yinping Shi, Xilin Zhu, Shijie Liu, Wei Ma, Hongling Yang, Chunhe 

作者机构：State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics Chinese Academy of Sciences Wuhan430071 China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing100049 China Hubei Key Laboratory of Geo-Environmental Engineering Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics Chinese Academy of Sciences Wuhan430071 China State Key Laboratory of Coal Mine Disaster Dynamics and Control Chongqing University Chongqing400044 China 

出 版 物：《SSRN》 

年 卷 期：2024年

核心收录：

主　　题：Hydrogen storage 

摘      要：Hydrogen, as a leading candidate for the future energy revolution due to its promise as an environmentally friendly energy source, presents significant potential for global energy systems. Among various storage methods, salt caverns stand out due to their inert environments and stable physical configurations, making them the most promising option for future hydrogen storage. In this study, we first elucidate the physical and chemical properties of hydrogen, emphasizing its low molecular weight, low solubility, high diffusion rate, and strong permeability. Detailed analyses of salt rock properties reveal their low permeability, favorable creep, and self-healing characteristics. We use permeation range, pore pressure distribution, pore pressure evolution, and leakage amount as indicators to assess the tightness of the caverns. A 3D geological model of salt cavern hydrogen storage is constructed to analyze the impact of various injection and production frequencies and operational pressure intervals on the tightness of salt caverns. Key findings from our research indicate the suitability of salt caverns for hydrogen storage, the minimal impact of injection-production frequency on hydrogen permeation range, and the significant influence on pore pressure in the near-field surroundings of the cavern. Additionally, elevating operational pressure markedly increases the permeation range and cumulative leakage amount. We find that a broader range of pressure fluctuations correlates with increased variability in leakage rates. Over a 30-year operational period for a specific salt cavern, each 1 MPa increase in operating pressure results in a 20-ton increment in hydrogen leakage. This research provides valuable insights for evaluating the sealing effectiveness of salt cavern hydrogen storages, contributing to the optimization of their design and operation for sustainable energy systems. © 2024, The Authors. All rights reserved.