Skip to main content
European Commission logo print header

LINED ROCK CAVERN STORAGE FOR NATURAL GAS

Ziel

The aim of this project is to prove the technical and economic viability of Lined Rock Cavern (LRC) storage for natural gas by designing, building, and operating an industrial facility (geometrical volume 40000 m³). Previous research and trials performed in a R&D facility have shown the potential of the LRC technology.
From the energy standpoint, it should be proved that this new type of storage facility will extend the range of geological and therefore geographical locations where gas storage can be built. The siting of storage facilities has so far be limited to salt and porous anticline structures. With LRC storage, gas could be introduced in new regions or it will contribute to the security of supply in less gas developed regions. It should also be proved that this type of storage can meet peak demand, corresponding to emerging storage needs in Europe. as a matter of fact, this new technology will be supplementary to salt cavern storage as high deliverability, moderately sized, high turnover storage.
Design has partially been completed.Tender Documents have been sent out to Contractors and evaluated. Technically and economically the received Tenders have improved the feasibility of the project.
LRC technology is a new technology for underground storing of natural gas in excavated caverns with a steel liner. The heart of the technology lies in the interaction of four elements :
- the steel liner which provides the gas containment,
- a concrete layer to transfer the gas pressure to the rock and to serve as a smooth base for the liner,
- the surrounding rock mass acting as a pressure vessel,
- a drainage system for handling the groundwater inflow and possible gas leakage.
Each storage cavern will be a vertical cylinder with a geometrical volume of 100000 m³, corresponding to a gas capacity of 20-30*10 m³. Although it is shallow at between 100 and 200 m , the max. pressure of up to 25 MPa is comparable to that in salt caverns at more than 1000 m depth. Several trials at up to 50 MPa on a small scale in three 130 m³ cylindrical rooms have demonstrated the feasability of the concept. The technology need to be demonstrated by the design, construction and operation through 13 months of an industrial demonstration plant. This will be placed at 'Skallen' near Halmstad in Southern Sweden.
Lined Rock Cavern storage facilities present many innovative aspects :
- gas tightness provided by a steel liner instead of the surrounding rock,- combination of high pressure (20 Mpa) and shallow depth (100-200 m), - structural stability make high deliverability possible, - wide range of possible siting due to the reduced geological restrictions, - no significant environmental impact, - no interchange between the gas and the surroundings, - limited planning and building time compared to aquifer storage, - access can be gained to the cavern for inspection and maintenance even after commissioning - very high utilisation of the rock mass as pressure absorber.
The role of LRC storage will mainly be :
- strategic storage in regions or countries where the geology precludes traditional storage facility,
- peak demand storage : high deliverability, moderate sized, high turnover.

Thema/Themen

Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung

Data not available

Koordinator

SYDKRAFT
EU-Beitrag
Keine Daten
Adresse

20509 Malmo
Schweden

Auf der Karte ansehen

Gesamtkosten
Keine Daten