Solution-Mined Cavern Storage
PB Energy Storage Services has gained industry recognition for the
engineering, design and construction services it provides for the development of
underground storage caverns in bedded and domal salt formations. Tapping the vast
storage potential of these formations demands unique expertise in solution mining
technology, a PB Energy Storage Services specialty
We have provided solution mining services to the industry since 1950, having
constructed over 150 solution-mined caverns for product storage, evaluated over 350 salt
domes and developed more storage capacity than any other company in the U.S. We
constructed or converted 65 solution-mined storage caverns for the U.S. Strategic
Petroleum Reserve with a combined storage capacity of 750 million barrels.
PB Energy Storage Services has evaluated or performed other solution mining services
for the majority of
solution-mined caverns in the U.S. |
Product Storage Flow Diagram
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Mineral Recovery
Solution mining recovery of halite has long been used to provide feedstock for
chlorine/caustic plants. In fact, much of the storage capacity of the U.S. Strategic
Petroleum Reserve was created by converting former feedstock caverns to oil storage
service. Not only was PB Energy Storage Services involved in these conversions, but we
have designed and constructed many new feedstock caverns in both domal and bedded salt
formations.
PB Energy Storage Services has developed a state-of-the-art technology in solution-mining
mineral recovery of halite, potash, nahcolite, trona and other evaporites. Solution
mining of complex ores, using tailored brines to obtain desired selective recovery, is
optimized by a combination of laboratory testing and computer simulation. Our
unique undercutting method allows successful recovery from a wide variety of ore
geometries and thicknesses. In special cases, combining the undercutting method with
horizontal drilling can optimize ore recovery.
Solution mining for economic mineral recovery is often guided by a long-term goal of
creating commercial storage capacity. |
Leaching Process Flow Diagram
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