SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PURGING CONTAMINANTS FROM A SALT CAVERN

摘要

A novel system and method for removing contaminants in a salt cavern is provided. A purge fluid is used to purge one or more contaminants from the cavern on a continuous or intermittent basis before or during operation of the cavern. The cavern can be cycled one or more times with purging operations to create a cleaner cavern less susceptible to contaminating stored hydrogen during the operational lifetime of the cavern.

主权项

1. A method for removing one or more contaminants from a salt cavern, comprising:
introducing purge fluid from a purge fluid reservoir into an interior region of the salt cavern; purging at least a portion of said one or more contaminants from the interior region of the salt cavern with the purge fluid; and returning the purge fluid with at least a portion of said one or more contaminants to the purge fluid reservoir; whereby the concentration of said one or more contaminants within the interior region of the salt cavern is reduced by an amount sufficient to reduce the required purification or dilution of a hydrogen stream withdrawn from the salt cavern in comparison to a crude hydrogen stream withdrawn from a cavern not subject to purging.