Mines
Hydrodynamics and Sandia National Laboratories investigated the Norton Mine from 1999 to 2005 to characterize and analyze the mine for performance as a CAES storage vessel. Because high-pressure air has never been stored in a mine, Hydrodynamics and Sandia performed one of the most complex & extensive research programs of any mine in the United State and included:
Specifically, Hydrodynamics and Sandia drilled over 600 feet of core samples, performed laboratory analysis of the core for rock strength and hydraulic properties, performed microscopic thin-section analysis, performed high pressure in-situ testing, performed in-situ stress measurements, numerical modeled air migration from the mine, and conducted a finite-element rock strength modeling analysis. Additionally, Hydrodynamics prepared a conceptual mine shaft plug design, and designed the air injection and withdrawal well system for CAES performance. We also provided mine development support services that included:
The results of our research demonstrated the Norton Mine is cable of supporting approximately 2,700 MWe CAES power plants. |