A Study on the Dissolution Characteristics of Salt Rock Using an Extended Rapid Cavity Creation Device

The efficiency and safety of salt cavern gas storage are critically dependent on the construction speed and structural integrity of the cavern. To tackle these issues, this paper presents a novel Extended Rapid Cavity Creation Device that employs water jet technology to effectively reduce the construction time and enhance control over the cavity structure. A simulation analysis of the device’s external flow field was conducted using FLUENT software. An experimental system was developed to investigate the effects of nozzle inclination and rotation speed on the dissolution of salt rock samples. The simulation and experimental results indicate that the intensity and shape of turbulence have a significant impact on the formation of the internal cavity within the salt rock. Specifically, a 45° nozzle inclination generates a conical turbulent flow that significantly enhances the mass transfer efficiency. As the rotation speed increases, the intensity and range of turbulence in the external flow field gradually extend towards the centre of the salt cavern cavity. This turbulence promotes the dissolution of salt rock, significantly reducing the ‘step’ structure at the bottom of the cavity. This study provides a valuable foundation for the further optimization of device design and a deeper understanding of the dissolution mechanism.