Physics of application of acoustic vibrations in stimulation of dissolution of rock salt

Increased production of crude oil calls for more storage reservoirs. In this regard, more attention is drawn to underground storages made in rock salt deposits by physicochemical methods to allow mineral extraction without underground mining operations. One of the limitations on efficiency of underground storages of preset geometry in rock salt deposits is the long period of construction due to the low velocity of rock salt dissolution in water. In this respect, it is highly critical to find smart and expedient methods to stimulate in-situ leaching of rock salt. This article presents some guidelines on application of acoustic vibrations in construction of underground oil storages in salt deposits by leaching. The theoretical and experimental research data on elastic vibrations in stimulation of dissolution of rock salt are given. The physical mechanism of the acoustic vibration effect on the mass transfer process is described. Mass transfer is greatly accelerated due to acoustic micro whirls which appear at the liquid–rock salt interface. These whirls rupture the boundary diffusion layer and increase the rate of dissolution. The results of the laboratory and semi-commercial scale tests are reported together with the optimized mode of vibration effect on dissolution. It is found that the rate of dissolution depends on the amplitude of liquid vibration velocity, and acceleration in dissolution is only observed at certain values of the vibration velocity in liquid.

Kurenkov D. S., Fedorov G. B., Dudchenko O. L. Physics of application of acoustic vibrations in stimulation of dissolution of rock salt. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2021;(5):4553. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2021_5_0_45.

D.S. Kurenkov¹, Senior Lecturer, e-mail: kurenkov@misis.ru,
G.B. Fedorov¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor,
O.L. Dudchenko¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor,
¹ National University of Science and Technology «MISiS», 119049, Moscow, Russia.

D.S. Kurenkov, e-mail: kurenkov@misis.ru.

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