Abstract: Debrining by gas injection is one of the most important processes for the construction of a salt cavern for the natural gas storage. Accurately describe the movement state of the insoluble particles around the inlet brine discharge pipe is the basis and prerequisite for determination of the depth brine discharge pipe. A numerical model is established to predict the brine flow distribution around the inlet of the brine discharge pipe. The brine flow fields distribution under different conditions are numerically investigated. The resultant brine flow field distribution is serviced as the boundary condition. The distance between the inlet of the brine discharge pipe and the insoluble sediment particles is optimized. The results show the flow field distribution of the zone only around the inlet of the brine discharge pipe varies significantly. The insoluble sediment particles locating directly underneath the inlet of the brine discharge pipe is more likely to be affected by the brine flow fields, and that of the other location is less affected. The insoluble sediment particles concentrate around the inlet of brine discharge pipe. The distance between the inlet of brine discharge pipe and the insoluble sediments for the debrining of Jintan salt cavern gas storage is then proposed as 2.0 m, which has been used for an actual debrining and is approved an appropriate application.

Key words: Gas Storage Salt Cavern, Debrining, Insoluble Sediment particle, flow distribution field, numerical simulation