Technical Review of the Lined Rock Cavern Concept and Design ...

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ffiGH PRESSURE STORAGE OF GAS IN LINED SHALLOW ROCK CAVERNS -RESULTS FROM
FIELD TESTS
H. Stille
Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
J. Johansson
Naturgasteknik AB, Stockholm, Sweden
R. Sturk
Skanska reknit AB, Stockholm, Sweden
ABSTRACT: At the Griingesberg Research Plant field tests have been perfonned regardmg storage of gas at
very high pressures in lined shallow rock caverns. The surrounding rock mass (granite) has proven to be very
capable of withstanding loads at levels far above the initial rock stresses. No tendency of vertical uplift has
been recorded. At an internal pressure of 52 MPa the maximum registered radial deformation in the rock was
5.65 mID, corresponding to a tangential strain of 2 per mille. The combined construction element linerconcrete-rock
has fulfilled its main purpose, i.e. to confine the gas, throughout a tough load history. Leakage
tests at high pressures have indicated that even a large failure in the liner can be controlled without any severe
consequences.
1 INTRODUCTION
-the surrounding rock mass, absorbing the pressure
forces and thus acting as the pressure vessel.
The pilot plant for lined gas storage facilities, -a drainage system, taking care of groundwater
located in central Sweden 250 km west of inflow as well as potential gas leakages.
Stockholm, comprises three test rooms and was built Water curtains have been used to ensure constant
during 1988 as a joint project by a number of groundwater conditions. 15 vertical holes have been
Scandinavian companies interested in developing drilled around each room at a distance of 2-4 In- It
new techniques for storing natural gas in lined rock should be noted that the groundwater pressure has
caverns. Tests have been carried out in four phases no influence on the storage concept in respect of
during 1989-1993.
Outlines of the concept and the objectives of the
pilot tests have been presented earlier by Lindbo et
al., 1989 and Tengborg, 1989. Early results have
been presented by Rosendal et al., 1992. After the
completion of the field tests the results have been
subjected to a comprehensive theoretical analysis by
Stille et al., 1994.
The three test rooms are excavated as vertical
cylinders 5 m in diameter and 10m high. The rooms
are lined on the inside with concrete and steel. The
rock overburden above the rooms is 50 m.
In short, the lined rock cavern concept, shown in
pressure levels and gas containment.
Figure 1, is based on the interaction between the
following elements:
-a lining, enclosing the gas in the cavern
-a concrete layer, serving as a base for the lining,
Figure 1. Horizontal section of the lined rock cavern
concept.
to transfer the pressure forces to the rock and to
distribute developing cracks
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GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS