Shape Modelling and Volume Optimisation of Salt Caverns for Energy Storage

Salt caverns are an attractive solution to the growing energy demand in view of their large storage capacity, safety operation and long time. The designing process salt is still considered a complex issue despite progress geotechnical, construction exploration methods. Finding optimal shape dimensions cavern given geological conditions difficult engineering problem stability requirements. In this paper, typical shapes (cylindrical, enlarged top, bottom), with each three variants differing by diameter, was evaluated against factors bedded deposit. Moreover, analysed were examined terms edges. three-step smoothing sharp edges performed, its impact on cavern’s performance studied. analysis aimed find volume implemented conditions. evaluation based following criteria: displacement, effective strain, von Mises stress, strength/stress ratio factor. results can be useful design for planning new fields storing natural gas, compressed air or hydrogen deposits.