You-qi chuyun (Mar 2024)
Feasibility and key technologies for the construction of salt cavern helium storage in China
Abstract
[Objective] Due to the scarcity of helium resources, insufficient production, high external dependence and single source, the security situation of helium resources in China is very severe. Utilizing salt caverns for helium storage is a significantly advantageous technology for large-scale helium storage that can effectively guarantee the helium supply capacity and improve helium security. However,China is devoid of underground salt cavern helium storage in operation, and related research and construction are still in the stage of initial development, requiring targeted feasibility and key technology researches. [Methods] Based on an investigation of helium resources and helium storage construction as well as China's experience in salt cavern gas storage construction, the feasibility of salt cavern helium storage construction in China was analyzed, and the suggestions on the development of key technologies for salt cavern helium storage were proposed,such as site evaluation, airtightness evaluation, cavern construction, storage construction, and helium injection and extraction. [Results] China is facing a high risk of helium supply disruption, necessitating the enlargement of reserve capacity. Salt cavern is suitable for large-scale helium storage for its satisfying performance in security and airtightness. The construction of salt cavern helium storage is feasible to increase China's helium reserve, giving that China has abundant salt cavern resources and a technological base for cavern construction. In addition, it is necessary to perform targeted research on key technologies for salt cavern helium storage construction, considering the geological conditions and helium resource conditions for storage construction in China differ from those in foreign countries. The salt mine in the southeast coastal area is close to the import and consumption of helium, and the transportation cost is low, so it can be used as the preferred storage site for the construction of salt cavern helium storage in China. [Conclusion] It is recommended to construct salt cavern helium storage in China in stages.At the early stage, 1 to 2 helium storage caverns should be constructed to explore and verify the construction technology of helium storage and ensure a stable supply of helium in China, after that more caverns should be constructed gradually to build up a strategic reserve that can meet China's helium demand for 5 to 10 years.
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