• 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.

• 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 Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.173-181
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• 1996

In this study, a stochastic finite element model is proposed with a view to consider the uncertainty of physical properties of rock mass in the analysis of structural behavior on underground caverns. Here, the Latin Hypercube Sampling technique, in which can makeup weak points of the Monte Carlo Simulation, is applied for the analysis of underground cavern. The validity of the newly developed computer program has been confirmed in terms of verification examples. And, the applicability of the program to the field has been tested in terms of the analysis of the underground oil storage cavern in korea.

• 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.

• 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 $C^{3D}$./.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.76-80
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• 1998

In order to identify the cause of ground water drawdown of a piezometer installed around the LPG storage cavern, parameter estimations were conducted by inverse and forward numerical models. An inverse model, SK-EST developed by SK Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.(SKEC,1997) was performed to estimate the change of the hydraulic conductivity. It was verified by the commercial forward model, AQUA3D (VATNASKIL,1995). The simulation results showed that the hydraulic diffusivity of the rock mass between the piezometer and the cavern had been increased and the change rate of the hydraulic head had been abruptly increased in response to the change of the operation pressure. Finally the statistical analysis for observed data showed the increase of the change rate of the hydraulic head and thus proved the applicability of SK-EST.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.553-564
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• 1998

For the proper design and management of underground storage cavern, groundwater flow around cavern should be analyzed. Since this flow is influenced by spatial nonuniformity of hudraulic conductivity, the two-dimensional finite element flow model incorporating stochastic concepts was developed to analyze influences due to this nonuniformity. Monte Carlo technique was applied to obtain an approximate solution for two-dimensional, steady flow in a stochastically defined nonuniform medisu. For this purpose, the values of hydraulic conductivity were generated for each element with known mean and standard deviations. The uncertainty in model prediction depends on both the nonuniformity in hydraulic conductivity and the natures of the flow system such as water curtain and boundary condition. Therefore the uncertainties in predicted hydraulic head and gradient are the greatest where the mean hydraulic gradients are relatively large and far from the boundaries. Especially, we relate these uncertainties with well known gas tightness condition.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2012

Thermal energy storage is defined as the temporary storage of thermal energy at high or low temperatures for later use in need. The energy storage can reduce the time or rate mismatch between energy supply and demand, and thus it plays an important role in conserving energy and improving the efficiency of energy utilization, especially for renewable energy sources which provide energy intermittently. Underground thermal energy storage (UTES) can have additional advantages in energy efficiency thanks to low thermal conductivity and high heat capacity of surrounding rock mass. In this paper, we introduced the technologies of underground thermal energy storage and rock caverns for hot water storage in Sweden.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.291-303
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• 2002

In this study, three-dimensional block generation program was developed using the discontinuities input data for three-dimensional mechanical and hydro-mechanical analysis. Shi's two dimensional theory and program was extended to those of three-dimension and the deformations of blocks were calculated. The two-dimensional hyro-mechanical theory of DDA was also extended to three-dimensional theory and coupling deformation of the underground cavern was analyzed considering discontinuities.