Temperature influence on the stability and the viability of salt caverns due to creep phenomena

This study investigates the viability of using salt caverns as large-scale storage solutions for green hydrogen, considering the effects of the temperature. To accomplish this, a structural model of a prototype salt dome cavern was evaluated using finite element methods, taking into account variations in temperature and depth. As the temperature of the rock mass rises, the strength of the salt diminishes, which can lead to deformation and collapse of the cavern. Additionally, analyzing the deformation of the cavern is important, as it leads to a reduction in volume and serves as an indicator of the cavern’s serviceability. The methodology developed in this study enables the classification of land areas as suitable or unsuitable for green hydrogen storage in salt caverns based on a safety zone defined by the temperature-depth relationship. In addition, the study compares two cavern geometries—one nearly vertical and the other nearly horizontal—while keeping the same initial volume. This comparison emphasizes the crucial role of geometry in the stability analysis, particularly in relation to the thermal effects on the rock salt. The proposed safety zone solution was validated through real-world examples of operational salt caverns in the USA, confirming its applicability and accuracy. • Salt cavern behavior is highly influenced by rock mass depth and temperature. • Over time, the volume of the cavern decreases compared to its original size. • Through thermal sensitivity analyses, safety zones for salt caverns can be delimited. • Safety zones classify land areas as feasible or not for constructing salt caverns. • The geometry of the cavern is a key factor in structural behavior.