Prediction of Maximum Particle Size of Solids Produced From Salt Caverns and <scp>CFD</scp> Simulation Based on Granular Dynamics

ABSTRACT During high‐displacement injection and production in salt cavern compressed air energy storage, preventing the backflow of large‐scale solid particles is critical to ensuring the safety of core surface equipment. Therefore, it is urgent to accurately predict the particle size of produced solids and clarify the law of parametric sensitivity variation. Accordingly, this study innovatively proposes a method for predicting the maximum particle size of produced solids in salt caverns based on granular dynamics. Through triple verification using field data, numerical simulation, and mathematical modeling, the results show that the mathematical model established in this paper exhibits good stability and high accuracy, with an accuracy rate exceeding 95%. Meanwhile, this paper systematically investigates the influences of cuttings properties, gas production parameters, and geological parameters on the cuttings‐carrying particle size. A table of irregular particle shape coefficients is established, along with quantitative prediction fitting formulas correlating cuttings density, gas production flow rate, cavern pressure, well depth, and maximum equivalent spherical diameter. The findings can lay a theoretical foundation for the accurate prediction of produced solids, injection‐production optimization, and safe operation in salt cavern energy storage.