• 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.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.233-240
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• 2010

Double Plug is constructed for preventing mixing of two different oils between two compartments in the underground oil storage cavern. And the gas and oil tightness of double plug is tested from the measurement of water leakage from double plug after the completion of double plug water filling. If water leakage is underestimated, it can increase construction cost and if water leakage is overestimated, it can increase operating cost. Therefore, optimum water leakage should be estimated to cut down the cost. In this study, hydraulic stability analysis was conducted to consider permeable properties of rock mass around double plugs and a water leak rate from double plug was estimated from the hydraulic stability analysis and case study. Finally, the reliability of estimation of water leak rate was proven by comparing estimated water leak rate with measured data.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1999.08a
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• pp.117-136
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• 1999

The geophysical survey at pre-investigation stage can hardly provide the detailed information on geological structure of site which has difficulty in access and thick overburden. The TSP (VSP applied in tunnel) survey at post-investigation stage can show the detailed geology ahead of tunnel and around cavern. The TSP survey was carried out at the Pyongtaek LPG storage cavern site during the cavern excavation and provided the location and orientation of the fault inferred below Namyangho. In order to confirm the result of TSP survey four boreholes were drilled in access tunnel. The fault was also detected by borehole survey and the location was coincided with the result of TSP survey. Depend on the result of TSP survey and core logging, the design such as cavern layout and length could have been changed. As another case history the TSP survey was performed at the Mumeuje road tunnel which has poor geological information due to thick overburden. The support design was also changed on the base of TSP survey.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.33-44
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• 2009

Water curtain of an underground LPG storage cavern is a facility to prevent leakage of high pressure gases, for which groundwater should flow freely towards the cavern and groundwater level also must be stably maintained. In this study, in order to evaluate qualities of seepage water and surrounding groundwater of an underground LPG storage cavern in Yeosu, 4 rounds of samplings, field measurements and laboratory analyses (February, May, August, October of 2007) were conducted. According to field measurements, pH was weak acidic to neutral but it gradually increased with time. Electrical conductivity (EC) of groundwater near a salt stack showed very high values between 10.47 and 38.50 mS/cm. Dissolved oxygen (DO) showed a very wide range of 0.20~8.74 mg/L and a mean of oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) was 159 mV, which indicated an oxidized condition. Levels of $Fe^{2+}$ and $Mn^{2+}$ were mostly less than 3 mg/L. All of seepage waters showed a Na-Cl type while only groundwater near the salt stack showed a Na-Cl type with a high total dissolved solid. The other groundwaters exhibited typical $Ca-HCO_3$ types. Levels of aerobic bacteria were mostly very high (573-39,520 CFU/mL). Based on the analyses of these hydrochemistry and biological characteristics, it is concluded that there are no particular problems in groundwater and seepage water, which not causing a trouble in the cavern operation. However, both for control of bio-clogging and for sustainable operation of the water curtain system, a regular hydrochemical and microbiological monitoring is required for the seepage water and surrounding groundwater.

• 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.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 1999.03a
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• pp.59-64
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• 1999

지하암반은 계절적 대기온도 변화의 영향을 거의 받지 않는 온도조건 및 뛰어난 단열성으로 인해 물류의 저온냉동저장이나 액화연료의 저장 등을 위한 좋은 대상으로 인식되고 있다. 이러한 분야에 있어서 암반의 열물성 및 열유동 특성은 매우 중요한 요소로서, 이는 장기적인 에너지절약 및 지하구조물의 열역학적 안정성의 정확한 평가와 직접적 연관이 된다. (중략)

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.17-29
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• 1999

There are three major processes to impact the groundwater flow near underground storage caverns in the coastal area; effect of topography, effect of sea water intrusion, and effect of excavation. In this paper, the effects of three items were numerically studied to identify the major cause for altering the flow pattern. It turned out that the excavation is the most significant effect on the groundwater flow system. The groundwater pressure distributions and consequent groundwater pathways were significantly altered near the openings. By increasing the groundwater pressures from water curtain holes, the potential leakage of storage cavern was properly prevented

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 2013

It is generally well known that the stratification of thermal energy in heat stores can be improved by increasing the aspect ratio (the height-to-width ratio) of the stores. Accordingly, it will be desirable to apply a high aspect ratio so as to demonstrate the good thermal performance of heat stores. However, as the aspect ratio of a store increases, the height of the store become larger compared to its width, which may be unfavorable for the structural stability of the store. Therefore, to determine an optimum aspect ratio of heat stores, a quantitative mechanical stability assessment should be performed in addition to thermal performance evaluations. In the present study, we numerically investigated the mechanical stability of silo-shaped rock caverns for underground thermal energy storage at different aspect ratios. The applied aspect ratios ranged from 1 to 6 and the mechanical stability was examined based on factor of safety using a shear strength reduction method. The results from the present study showed that the factor of safety of rock caverns tended to decrease with the increase in aspect ratio and the stress ratio of the surrounding rock mass was influential to the stability of the caverns. In addition, the numerical results demonstrated that under the same conditions of rock mass properties and aspect ratio, mechanical stability could be improved by the reduction in cavern size (storage volume), which indicates that one can design high-aspect-ratio rock caverns by dividing a single large cavern into multiple small caverns.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.63-73
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• 1997

Finite element model is established for the simulation of groundwater flow due to water curtain around underground oil storage Choleski decomposition method. The symmetric global conductance matrix is solved by vector storage Choleski decomposition method. The model is verified through comparison with the results of electric analogy. For the application of this model to real site, the finite element meshes are constructed according to representative vertical cross and longitudinal sections. In cross-sectional analysis, potential and flow distributions are compared based on the cavern pressure and horizontal water curtain. For longitudinal section, effects between nearly located caverns with or without vertical water curtain are analyzed. These results prove that the established model can be used as a tool for flow analysis around underground caverns.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 1998

This paper presents the results of deformation measurement and numerical analysis carried out to study the behaviour of the rock mass around large underground oil storage caverns. Displacements during excavation have been monitored using borehole extensometers which had been installed before the excavation of caverns proceeded. Numerical analysis has been carried out to examine the three-dimensional behaviour of rock and the face advance effect. The input parameters for this analysis were determined from the results of laboratory and field tests. The deformation modulus of the rock mass was determined from plate loading test at the site and in-situ stresses were measured from the overcoring method with USBM deformation gauge. The results from this study gave a clear picture for three-dimensional behaviour of the rock mass, hence would be used for the optimum design.