KAVPOOL is a software tool developed in-house by ESK to simulate all thermodynamic processes associated with gas storage operations in salt caverns. The software tool supports storage operators in their day-to-day business and assists subsurface engineers in planning and designing storage facilities.
The model incorporates all thermodynamic processes associated with gas storage operations in salt caverns. This includes:
- Pressure-volume-temperature relationship of the gas in the cavern
- Heat transfer between storage medium and surrounding rock
- Friction losses due to fluid flows along production tubing and connecting pipelines
Parallel to thermodynamic calculations, the rock mechanics option that was implemented provides information about the operationally induced shrinkage of each individual cavern at storage facilities. The necessary model parameters, such as cavern and well dimensions, rock properties and gas composition, are entered via special auto-generate functions which guarantee quick startups even for storage sites with numerous individual caverns. All calculation results can be displayed in table and chart view.