WO2018114013A1

WO2018114013A1 - Method for leaching out a cavity, cavity produced using said method, method for producing an energy storage device, and energy storage device produced using said method

Info

Publication number: WO2018114013A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/082633
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Schädlich; Paul Schneider; Ralf RIEKENBERG; Alrik HERVIEU
Original assignee: Ewe Gasspeicher Gmbh
Priority date: 2016-12-23
Filing date: 2016-12-23
Publication date: 2018-06-28

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for leaching out a cavity, to a cavity which is produced using the method, and to an energy storage device which is produced using the method. In order to leach out the cavity, a flush pipe device with a first flush pipe and a second flush pipe is placed in an underground salt layer through at least one bore hole. Subsequently, a bottom leaching process is carried out by the flush pipes in order to form a chamber in the salt layer, and then a width leaching process is carried out in order to expand the chamber. According to the invention, multiple chambers are produced next to one another in the same manner, and the width is leached out to such a degree that openings are produced between each of the respective adjacent chambers. The cavity is produced from the chambers which are connected by the openings so as to have a length which is greater than the depth of the cavity.

Description

Method for extracting a cavern, cavern produced therewith, method for producing an energy storage device and energy storage device produced thereby

The invention relates to a method for releasing a cavity according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and the cavity produced by the method. Such caverns are created in underground salt layers and used for the storage of energy sources such as oil, natural gas or compressed air. The invention therefore also relates to a method for producing an energy storage device with a cavity extracted according to the invention and the energy storage device produced therewith.

To remove the cavern, a rinsing tube device with two rinsing tubes is laid through at least one borehole into an underground salt layer. Through the rinsing tubes, a cellar sludge follows and subsequently a clear slit.

It is known to drill out a cavern to drill down to a salt dome, so an underground salt layer. The resulting borehole is secured by a cemented pipe trip. In it, an inner, first flushing pipe and an outer, second flushing pipe are installed. This is a space within the first flushing pipe and an annular space between the first flushing pipe and the second flushing pipe for Aussolen the cavern available. A chamber in the region of the ends of the purge tubes is thereby enlarged by salt is released from the edges of the chamber. The solvent used is water, which first passes through the inner, first Rinse pipe is introduced into the chamber. The salt which forms with the salt is forced out of the chamber through the annular space, that is to say through the outer, second flushing pipe, and transported to the earth's surface. This first rinsing process is called cellulosic sludge or direct brine. After Kellersolung there is a so-called Breitsolung, also called indirect brines, in which the chamber is rinsed more than in the Kellersolung in width. For this purpose, the flushing direction is reversed so that water is pumped through the annulus into the chamber and brine is forced out of the chamber through the inner flushing tube. Such a method is described, for example, in European published patent application EP 0 629 769 A2

State of the art described.

The cavern produced by this known method is provided for the storage and withdrawal of natural gas. For this purpose, the cavern is usually by means of a single

Borehole herausholt, the cavern is formed comparatively much deeper than wide. However, the large depth may be detrimental to the later use of the chamber as storage for energy sources for other energy sources than gas, for which a large pumping power would be required to promote them.

The invention has therefore set itself the task of providing a method for Aussolen a cavern and a cavern, which allow an energetically advantageous use as part of an energy storage device. Furthermore, the invention has set itself the task of providing a method for producing an energetically advantageous operable energy storage device with a cavern and the corresponding energy storage device. The invention solves this problem with a method for Aussolen a

Cavern according to claim 1, comprising a method comprising this method for producing an energy storage device according to claim 10, with a cavity according to claim 14 and with an energy storage device according to claim 15. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims or will become apparent from the description. Further advantageous embodiments of the cavern and the energy storage device also result from described or claimed features of the described and claimed methods.

In a method for releasing a cavity, wherein a rinsing pipe device with a first flushing pipe and a second flushing pipe is laid through at least one borehole into a subterranean salt layer, and wherein through the flushing pipes a cellulosic stratification to form a chamber in the salt layer and subsequently a bulk filtration to Widening of the chamber is provided according to the invention, that a plurality of chambers are made in the same way side by side and are widened so far in the broad slit that breakthroughs between each adjacently arranged chambers arise, and the cavern from these by means of the apertures interconnected chambers with a Length is made which is greater than their depth.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a cavern in an underground salt layer, wherein the cavern is produced by the method according to the invention. Correspondingly, in this cavern several boreholes flow side by side into the cavern. The length of the cavern is larger than theirs

Depth, so that the completed cavern finally has approximately the shape of a horizontally arranged cigar, whereas gas caverns according to the prior art usually have approximately the shape of a cigar standing upright. As a result, the cavern produced according to the invention can have a volume like a conventional gas cavern, but it has to reach far less deeply into the ground. As a result, a medium stored in the cavern has a comparatively low delivery height can be supported by comparatively short pipelines. This results in a low resistance in the pipes and an energy-saving promotion. Since, according to the invention, the cavern is formed from at least two chambers, preferably from at least four chambers, more preferably from six chambers or more than six chambers, correspondingly many boreholes are present through which later a medium is stored in the cavern or out of the cavern can be stored. As a result, a comparatively large delivery rate is possible at a comparatively low flow rate. Also, energy losses can be kept low by resistors in the pipes, so that an energy-saving promotion is possible. In addition, a larger delivery rate results in higher electrical power using the medium to convert energy stored by the medium into electrical energy, or using the medium to provide electrical current stored by the medium.

For Kellersolung water is introduced through the first flushing pipe in the forming in the region of the lower ends of the wash tubes chamber in a first rinse. In opposite to the first flushing direction, second

Flushing direction is derived brine from the chamber through the second flushing pipe. In the chamber, the water releases salt from the salt layer at the edges of the chamber, thereby increasing the depth of the chamber, forming the brine. Preferably, at least the first flushing pipe remains at a constant depth in the cellarsolung.

The Kellersolung is also referred to as direct Aussolen. The water is fresh water in particular. After flowing into the chamber, the water rises due to its relatively lower density relative to the brine in the vicinity of the first flushing pipe and takes on the

Way up salt up and mix with the surrounding brine. In the Kellersolung salt is dissolved especially in the bottom area of the chamber, where the water still has a low saturation. By the second flushing pipe, the usually not completely saturated brine is pushed out of the chamber and transported to the earth's surface, where it is discharged. To Breitsolung the flushing direction is reversed, namely in the first

Rinse water is introduced through the second flushing pipe into the chamber and in the second flushing brine is discharged through the first flushing pipe from the chamber. The water, with the formation of the brine further dissolves salt from the salt layer at the edges of the chamber and thereby increases the width of the chamber. The generalization is also considered indirect

Called Aussolen. The fresh water is introduced into the chamber in the head area of the chamber.

Both in the Kellersolung as well as the broadsole is preferably above the brine a "blanket medium" called covering or

Protective medium provided, such as nitrogen. The covering means ensures that the water or the brine does not come into contact with the top of the chamber, so that no further salt at the edges of the chamber is removed from the salt layer at the top of the chamber. This leads to the fact that in the case of the broad separation of the water largely unhindered to the

Can reach edges of the chamber and there broaden the chamber laterally by salt is dissolved out at the upper edges of the chamber from the salt layer. On the further way down, the concentration of brine increases, with comparatively less salt being leached out of the edges of the chamber. The inventively produced

Breakthroughs thus occur in the upper region of the chambers and in the upper region of the cavern formed by these chambers.

For producing the borehole, preferably a borehole is drilled down into the subterranean salt layer and secured by a cemented-in pipe run. Preferably, this tube tour takes on both the first flushing pipe and the second flushing pipe. In particular, when laying the Flushing pipe device, the first flushing pipe preferably concentrically, within the second flushing pipe laid in the underground salt layer inside. As a result, a ring groove is produced between the first flushing pipe and the second flushing pipe. The medium water or brine, which is introduced into the chamber or derived from the chamber through the second flushing pipe, is in this case conveyed through the annular space. Around the second flushing tube is either the covering agent or an inert gas.

If the openings are made, the isolated Aussolen the individual chambers is replaced according to the invention by a common

Aussolen from side by side chambers. As a result of the individual rinsing tube devices, at least less or more water is pumped into the respective chamber, as brine with the rinsing tube device is discharged from the same chamber. Preferably, only water is either pumped into the respective chamber through the individual rinsing tube devices or brine is discharged from this chamber. As a result, according to an advantageous embodiment, after broadening the water, water for broadening the breakthroughs between at least one first chamber of the cavern and at least one second chamber of the cavern dissolves salt from the salt layer at the edges of the apertures, widening the apertures become. This water is introduced through the purge tube of the first or second chamber in the respective chamber. Brine is thereby derived by the leading to the other first or second chamber purging device from this other chamber.

In particular, in the broadening of the breakthroughs, the water and the brine are flushed alternately through the same, in particular second, flushing pipe of the respective flushing pipe device. The respective other flushing pipes are therefore no longer needed here and therefore preferably after the separation of the brine and preferably before the common brine from the boreholes away. In particular, the first flushing tubes or the second flushing tubes are particularly preferably removed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, when widening the openings, the flushing pipe of the first flush pipe device leading to the first cannister opens at least temporarily at a different depth in the cavern than the flushing pipe of the second flush pipe device leading to the second chamber. Preferably, the depth of the flushing pipes is changed in the course of widening of the apertures in order to obtain an advantageous shape for the cavern. It is advantageous that the

Depth in which the rinse pipes end, can be easily changed. The flushing pipe of at least one flushing pipe device should end in the bottom area of the respective chamber in order to actually broaden the openings as far as the bottom area of the cavern, that is to say to increase them in particular vertically.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention takes place at the broadening of the openings a Wechselungsolung. In this case, either water is introduced alternately into the first chamber through the first rinsing tube device leading to the first chamber, and at the same time brine is discharged from the second chamber through the second rinsing tube device leading to the second chamber. Or, water is introduced into the second chamber through the second rinse pipe device leading to the second chamber, and at the same time brine is discharged from the first chamber through the first rinse pipe device leading to the first chamber. Thus, the formation of the cavern can be selectively controlled to obtain a desired shape.

The cavern according to the invention is preferably part of an energy storage device. In a method of manufacturing a

Energy storage device with at least one cavern is inventively provided that the cavern by means of According to the method of the invention, an energy carrier is subsequently disposed in this cavern, energy being subsequently stored in the cavern by means of this energy carrier, which energy can be utilized by or after discharge from the cavern by conversion into electrical energy. An energy storage device according to the invention is produced by this method and thus has at least one cavern in an underground salt layer, wherein a plurality of wells side by side open into the cavern, wherein the length of the cavern is greater than its height, wherein in the cavern an energy carrier is arranged and By means of this energy carrier, energy is stored in the cavern, which can be utilized by or after discharge from the cavern for conversion into electrical energy.

The energy source is, in one possible embodiment, a combustible gas, such as natural gas, or a combustible liquid, such as petroleum, or another medium which can release energy through combustion or a chemical process. According to an alternative possible embodiment, the energy carrier is a compressed gas, wherein for example by the gas pressure, a turbine can be driven.

The energy carrier is particularly preferably a brine with polymers. In this case, the polymers are in particular capable of binding electrical charges to themselves. With the polymers in the brine as the energy carrier, the energy storage device according to a particularly preferred embodiment, a flow battery, in which electrical energy can be stored and retrieved when needed again. The energy storage device has at least two caverns. At least one of the caverns is produced according to the invention. To produce the energy storage device brine is arranged with polymers in both caverns. The polymers in the caverns differ at least predominantly from each other. Both caverns are each connected to a galvanic cell by means of a pipe system and together with the galvanic cell and the pipe systems form the river battery. A membrane in the galvanic cell keeps the polymers separated in a first half cell and in a second half cell of the galvanic cell. However, ions can pass through the membrane and thus close a circuit between the first half cell, at which the brine is passed with the polymers and the second half cell, where the other brine is passed with the other polymers.

For each pipe system, a plurality of pipes are preferably provided, wherein in each chamber, from which the caverns are produced, in each case at least one of the pipes extends. This can be promoted with low friction losses much brine and pumped through the galvanic cell. For this purpose, only a low pumping power is required compared with a possible use of conventional caverns as energy storage in a flow battery, so that a comparatively higher efficiency for the flow battery is achieved. For operation, the flushing pipes are removed and the pipes are installed instead of the flushing pipes. Each borehole is thus assigned exactly one pipeline, which either in the later operation of the energy storage device for the transport of discharged or charged polymer provides. When loading and unloading, the flow direction can also be reversed.

Further embodiments will become apparent from the claims, from the drawings and from the following description of an embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings. In the drawings show: 1 shows an arrangement with a plurality of rinse pipe devices and chambers in an underground salt layer in a cellar line in a side sectional view;

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 1 in the case of a separation following the cellulosic separation; FIG.

Fig. 3: The arrangement according to Figures 1 and 2 in one of the

Following succession alternating; and

Fig. 4: one produced with the arrangement according to the figures 1 to 3

Cavern with piping when using the cavern as electrolyte storage in a river battery.

In the figures 1 to 3 successive steps in the construction of a new cavern are shown. The cavern thus constructed is shown in FIG.

For new uses of caverns as energy storage, an optimized cavern should be created. This is done by a special Aussolen in an underground salt layer. For this purpose, first with the Kellersolung shown in Fig. 1, a first chamber 1, a second chamber 2, a further first chamber 3, a further second chamber 4, yet another first chamber 5 yet another second chamber 6 in series side by side in the Salt layer formed and herausholt in the depth. The number of chambers 1 to 6 is chosen here only by way of example. Of course, the cavern can also be formed from more or fewer chambers. The Aussolen takes place from the surface to the salt layer through holes 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 and 12 and placed therein rinse pipe devices 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. The holes 7 to 12 are arranged in series , wherein the distance between adjacent boreholes 7 to 12, for example, between 5 m and 30 m. The rinse pipe devices 13, 15 and 17 associated with the first caverns 1, 3 and 5 are referred to below as first rinse pipe devices. The rinse pipe devices 14, 16 and 18 associated with the second caverns 2, 4 and 6 are referred to below as second rinse pipe devices. The first

Flushing pipe device 13 has a first flushing pipe 19 and a second flushing pipe

20 on. The second flushing pipe device 14 also has a first flushing pipe

21 and a second flushing pipe 22. Correspondingly, the first flushing pipe device 15 has a first flushing pipe 23 and a second flushing pipe 24, the second flushing pipe device 16 a first flushing pipe 25 and a second flushing pipe

26, the first flushing pipe device 17, a first flushing pipe 27 and a second flushing pipe 28 and the second flushing pipe device 18, a first flushing pipe 29 and a second flushing pipe 30. The rinsing pipe devices 13 to 18 are of similar construction and are each arranged within a pipe run 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 or 42 in the respective borehole 7 to 12. Each tube tour 37 to

For example, 42 has an outer diameter in the range of 25 inches to 30 inches or in the range of 63.5 cm to 76.2 cm. The tube guides 37 to 42 are casings with which the holes 7 to 12 are lined and stabilized. For this purpose, the pipe runs 37 to 42 are guided, for example, to a depth of 500 m to 600 m in the ground and cemented therein. The second purge tubes 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 have, for example, an outer diameter of 10% in or of about 27.3 cm. Nitrogen 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 and 48 are arranged in annular spaces between the pipe runs 37 to 42 and the second flushing pipe 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 or 30 respectively arranged therein.

To Aussolen the chambers 1 to 6 is in the Kellersolung of FIG. 1 water 49 through the first flushing pipe 19, water 50 through the first flushing pipe 21, water 51 through the first flushing pipe 23, water 52 through the first flushing pipe 25, water 53 by the first flushing pipe 27 and water 54 are pumped through the first flushing pipe 29 into the respective cavern 1 to 6. The first purge tubes 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29 have, for example, one each Outside diameter of 6 5/8 inches or about 16.8 cm. The water 49 to 54 dissolves salt from the edges of the chambers 1 to 6, especially at the bottom of the respective chamber 1 to 6. For this purpose, the first purge tubes 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29 terminate at a greater depth in the chambers 1 to 6 than the second purge tubes 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30. This gives the chambers 1 to 6 at the end The Kellersolung finally each have a diameter of 10 m to 20 m, a depth of 15 m to 20 m and a capacity of 1000 m ³ to 5000 m ³ . The forming with the water 49 to 54 and the dissolved salt

Brine 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 or 60 is thereby in an annular space between the respective first flushing pipe 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 or 29 and the respective second flushing pipe 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 or 30 after Pressed up to the earth's surface and discharged there. During the Kellersolung thus flows the water 49 to 54 in a downward, first flushing direction 61 through the first flushing pipe 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 or 29. The brine 55 to 60 meanwhile flows in an upward, second flushing direction 62 through the second flushing pipe 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 or 30, in particular through the annular space between the first flushing pipe 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 or 29 and the second flushing pipe 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 or 30, the respective

Pipe fitting 13 to 18.

After the chambers 1 to 6 are formed by the Kellersolung of FIG. 1, there is a Breitsolung. The rinsing direction is reversed in relation to the cellar insulation. The water 49 to 54 thus flows in the first flushing direction 61 through the second flushing pipe 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 or 30, ie through the annular space between the flushing pipes 19 and 20, 21 and 22, 23 and 24, 25 and 26 , 27 and 28 or 29 and 30, in the cavern 1 to 6. Meanwhile, the brine 55 to 60 flows back in the second rinsing 62 through the first flushing pipe 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 or 29 to the earth's surface. The reference numerals for the boreholes 7 to 12, the tubular passages 37 to 42, and the nitrogen 43 to 48 are not repeated for reasons of clarity in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of Fig. 1 with the chambers 1 to 6 at the end of

Breitsolung. In this case, the chambers have 1 to 6 connected to a cavern 63. The cavern 63 in this case has apertures 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 formed by the chambers 1 to 6 by means of the wide slit. During the broad separation, the water 49 to 54 contacts the edges of these chambers 1 to 6 essentially in the upper region of the chambers 1 to 6. There, therefore, salt can pass from these edges into solution. Under increasing saturation, the water 49 to 54 or the resulting brine 55 to 60 reaches the lower part of the chamber 1 to 6. Increasingly less salt is absorbed. The clear lead thus leads in

Essentially to a broadening of the chambers 1 to 6 in its upper part.

Fig. 3 shows the resulting cavern 63 during a Wechselscholung. With this Wechselungsung the cavern is under the broad settlement under

Participation of all rinse pipe devices 13 to 18 further extracted. Through each rinse pipe device 13 to 18, only water 49 to 54 in the first rinsing direction 61 or brine 55 to 60 in the second rinsing direction 62 alternately flows in alternation. Only the first rinsing tubes 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 therefore flow 31 or alternatively only the second rinsing tubes 22, 24,

26, 28, 30 and 32 needed for further Aussolen. Preferably, therefore, the first, inner flushing pipes 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31 are pulled after the wide separation. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 3, the second, outer rinsing tubes 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 are pulled.

While water 50, 52 and 54 in the first rinsing direction 61 by the second rinse pipe devices 14, 16 and 18, in particular by the first Purging pipes 21, 25 and 29 of the second rinsing pipe devices 14, 16 and 18, is pumped into the resulting cavern 63, brine flows 55, 57 and 59 in the second rinsing 62 through the first rinse pipe devices 13, 15 and 17, in particular through the first rinsing pipes 19, 23 and 27 of the first rinse pipe devices 13, 15 and 17, from the resulting cavern 63 from.

After changing the rinsing direction is reversed water 49, 51 and 53 in the first rinse direction 61 through the first rinse pipe devices 13, 15 and 17, in particular by the first rinsing pipes 19, 23 and 27 of the first rinse pipe devices 13, 15 and 17, in the resulting cavern 63 pumped. Meanwhile, brine 56, 58 and 60 flows in the second

Rinsing direction 62 through the second rinsing tube devices 14, 16 and 18, in particular through the first rinsing tubes 21, 25 and 29 of the second rinsing tube devices 14, 16 and 18, from the resulting cavity 63 from. The rinsing direction is changed once or preferably several times. Furthermore, the depth during which the rinsing tube devices 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18, in particular the first rinsing tubes 19, 21, 23, 35, 27 and 29, end in the resulting cavity 63 is preferably varied during the alternating slitting.

In FIG. 3, the upper region of the resulting cavern 63 is shown with two different edges in regions in which the first purge tube devices 13, 15 and 17 open into the cavern 63. These edges are associated with two different stages during the change slack: The lower edges in this upper area show the cavern 63 in an intermediate stage after a sol process, in which water 50, 52 and 54 through the second rinse pipe means 14, 16 and 18 in the second

Chambers 2, 4 and 6 was pumped. The upper edges show the cavity 63 further enlarged after another sol process in the opposite direction of flushing, that is, after the intermediate stage, water 51, 53 and 55 are pumped into the cavern through the first flushing pipe devices 13, 15 and 17 and brine through the second flushing pipe devices 14,

16 and 18 was derived. The water has strengthened 51, 53 and 55 Salt in the head region of the first chambers 1, 3 and 5 detached from the edges of the resulting cavern 63.

FIG. 4 shows the completely excavated cavern 63 when used as an electrolyte reservoir. The cavern 63 has approximately the shape of a horizontally arranged cigar, so has a length that is greater than its height. The length of the cavern 63 is for example between 60 m and 180 m. The depth of the cavern 63 is for example between 50 m and 150 m. In the boreholes 7 to 12 19 to 30 pipes 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74 in the form of plastic pipes or in the form of internally coated steel pipes are installed instead of the purge tubes. After completion of the cavern 63, therefore, the flushing pipes 19 to 30 are replaced by the pipes 69 to 74 for producing the arrangement according to FIG. 4. The pipelines 69, 71 and 73 are first pipelines which replace the first purge tube devices 13, 15 and 17. The pipes 70, 72 and 74 are second

Pipes which replace the second rinse pipe devices 14, 16 and 18.

The pipes 69 to 74 have, for example, an outside diameter of 20 inches or about 50.8 cm. Annular spaces which surround the pipes 69 to 74 on the outside are filled with nitrogen 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 and 80. The nitrogen extends down to the upper edge of the cavern 63 and there adjoins an electrolyte solution 81, with which the cavern 63 and the pipes 69 to 74 are filled.

All pipes 69 to 74 dip into the electrolyte solution 81. However, the first pipes 69, 71 and 73 terminate in the upper region of the cavity 63, whereas the second pipes 70, 72 and 74 terminate in the lower region of the cavity 63. Thereby, the electrolytic solution 81 can be stacked in the cavity 63, namely, for example, charged

Polymers in the lower part of cavern 63 and with discharged polymers in the upper region of the cavern 63. The electrolyte solution 81 with the polymers is thus an energy source.

The electrolyte solution 81 is especially brine in which the repeatedly chargeable polymers are arranged. The volume of the cavern 63 is, for example, between 100,000 m ³ and 1 million m ³ . The capacity of the electrolyte reservoir is in particular between 0.7 GWh and 7.0 GWh. The electrolyte reservoir is part of an energy storage device in the form of a flow battery, which also has a second electrolyte reservoir with a second electrolyte solution. In the second electrolyte solution are others

Polymers arranged. The power of the river battery is then for example between 40 MW and 120 MW.

To use the cavern 63 as an electrolyte reservoir in a flow battery, the pipes 69 to 74 are connected to a galvanic cell 82. The galvanic cell 82 has a first half cell 83 and a second half cell 84 and an ion exchange membrane 85, which separates the half cells 83 and 84 from each other. In particular, the ion exchange membrane 85 is a size exclusion membrane which retains polymers but permits exchange of ions through the ion exchange membrane 85.

During operation of the flow battery, the electrolytic solution then flows past the ion exchange membrane 85, moved by a pump 86 through the first half cell 83. Optionally, several can

Be provided pumps. The connection of the galvanic cell 82 and the pump 86 to the pipelines 69 to 74 shown in FIG. 4 is only to be understood as an example. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that alternative connections are possible wherein the first conduits 69, 71 and 73 may be interconnected with separate galvanic cells or separate modules of a galvanic cell even without an aboveground connection. In the illustration according to FIG. 4, the first pipes 69, 71 and 73 are connected via first valves 87, 88 and 89 to a first pipe 90. The second conduits 70, 72 and 74 are connected via second valves 91, 92 and 93 to a second conduit 94. The first line 90 and the second

Line 94 are alternately connectable either by an input-side three-way valve 95 and an input line 96 or by an output-side three-way valve 97 and an output line 98 to the first half-cell 83 of the galvanic cell 82. The pump 86 is arranged in the outlet line 98 and conveys electrolyte solution 81 from the galvanic cell 82 in the direction of the output side three-way valve 97 and thus in the direction of the cavity 63. The electrolyte solution 81 thus circulates between the cavity 63 and the galvanic cell 82 through a first piping system 99, which includes the piping 69 to 74, the first line 90, the second line 94, the input line 96 and the output line 98. Via a second pipe system 100, the galvanic cell 82 is connected to the above-mentioned second electrolyte reservoir.

Of course, in an alternative embodiment, the conduits 90 and 94 may be directly connected to the galvanic cell 82 without the three-way valves 95 and 97. The pump 86 is arranged for example in one of the lines 90 and 94. In another embodiment, not shown, a pump is alternatively or additionally arranged in both lines 90 and 94 or before each valve 87 to 89 and / or in front of each valve 91 to 93.

All the features mentioned in the preceding description and in the claims can be combined in any selection with the features of the independent claims. The disclosure of the invention is thus not limited to those described or claimed

Feature combinations limited, but all in the context of the invention, the full feature combinations are considered to be disclosed. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 first chamber

2 second chamber

3 more first chamber

4 more second chamber

5 more first caverns

6 more second chamber

7 borehole

8 borehole

9 borehole

10 borehole

1 1 borehole

12 borehole

13 first rinse pipe device

14 second rinse pipe device

15 first rinse pipe device

16 second rinse pipe device

17 first rinse pipe device

18 second rinse pipe device

19 first rinse pipe (the first rinse pipe device 13)

20 second flushing pipe (the first flushing pipe device 13)

21 first flushing pipe (the second flushing pipe device 14)

22 second flushing pipe (the second flushing pipe device 14) 23 first flushing pipe (the first flushing pipe device 15)

24 second flushing pipe (the first flushing pipe device 15)

25 first flushing pipe (the second flushing pipe device 16)

26 second flushing pipe (the second flushing pipe device 16)

27 first flushing pipe (the first flushing pipe device 17) 28 further flushing pipe (the first flushing pipe device 17)

29 first flushing pipe (the second flushing pipe device 18)

30 second flushing pipe (the second flushing pipe device 18) pipe string

pipe string

nitrogen

water

brine

first rinsing direction second rinsing direction cavern

Breakthrough breakthrough breakthrough breakthrough breakthrough 69 first pipeline

70 second pipe

71 first pipeline

72 second pipe

73 first pipeline

74 second pipeline

75 nitrogen

76 Nitrogen

77 Nitrogen

78 Nitrogen

79 Nitrogen

80 nitrogen

81 Electrolyte solution with polymers as an energy source

82 galvanic cell

83 first half cell

84 second half cell

85 ion exchange membrane

86 pump

87 first valve

88 first valve

89 first valve

90 first line

91 second valve

92 second valve

93 second valve

94 second line

95 input-side three-way valve

96 input line

97 output side three-way valve

98 output line

99 first pipe system

100 second pipe system

Claims

claims

A method for extracting a cavity (63), wherein a flushing pipe device (13, 14) with a first flushing pipe (19, 21) and a second flushing pipe (20, 22) through at least one borehole (7, 8) laid in an underground salt layer inside is and wherein through the flushing pipes (19, 20, 21, 22) below a Kellersolung to form a chamber (1, 2) in the salt layer and then a Bregsolung to widen the chamber (1, 2), characterized, characterized

in that a plurality of chambers (1, 2) are produced side by side in the same way and are widened so far in the case of the wide slit that openings (64) are formed between the adjacently arranged chambers (1, 2), and the cavity (63) consists of these the apertures (64) interconnected chambers (1, 2) is made with a length which is greater than their depth.

Method according to claim 1, characterized in that water (49, 50) flows through the first flushing pipe (19, 21) into the region of the lower ends of the flushing pipes (19, 20, 21, 22) for washing the cellars in a first flushing direction (61). 22) forming chamber (1, 2) is introduced and in the first flushing direction (61) opposite, second flushing direction (62) brine (55, 56) through the second flushing pipe (20, 22) from the chamber (1, 2) derived and thereby the water (49, 50) to form the brine (55, 56) salt from the salt layer at the edges of the chamber (1, 2) dissolves and thereby increases the depth of the chamber (1, 2).

Method according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the flushing direction is reversed to achieve clear separation, water (49, 50) being introduced through the second flushing tube (20, 22) into the chamber (1, 2) in the first flushing direction (61) ) is introduced and in the second rinsing direction (62) brine (55, 56) through the first rinsing pipe (19, 21) from the chamber (1, 2) is derived and thereby the water (49, 50) further dissolves salt from the salt layer at the edges of the chamber (1, 2) to form the brine (55, 56) and thereby increases the width of the chamber (1, 2).

Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when laying the rinsing pipe device (13, 14), the first rinsing pipe (19, 21) is laid concentrically within the second rinsing pipe (20, 22) into the subterranean salt layer.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that after the broad separation, the first flushing pipes (19, 21) or the second flushing pipes (20, 22) are removed from the boreholes (7, 8).

Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that after the broad separation water (49, 50) for widening the openings (64) between at least a first chamber (1) of the cavern (63) and at least one second chamber (2) the cavity (63) with the formation of brine (55, 56) salt from the salt layer at the edges of the apertures (64) dissolves and widened the openings (64) thereby, this water (49, 50) through which the first chamber ( 1) or second chamber (2) leading rinse pipe means (13, 14) in the respective chamber (1, 2) is introduced and these brine (55, 56) through the other to the other first chamber (1) or second chamber (2) leading purge tube means (13, 14) is derived from said other chamber (1, 2).

A method according to claim 6, characterized in that in the broadening of the apertures (64) the water (49, 50) and the brine (55, 56) alternately through the same flushing pipe (19, 21, 20, 22) of the respective flushing pipe device (13, 14) is rinsed.

Method according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that during the widening of the apertures (64), the flushing pipe (19; 20) of the first chamber (1) leading first Spülrohreinrichtung (13) at least temporarily at a different depth in the cavern (63) opens as the flushing pipe (21; 22) leading to the second chamber (2) second Spülrohreinrichtung (14).

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that in the broadening of the apertures (64) is carried out alternating, wherein in time either water alternately (49) through the first chamber (1) leading first purge tube means (13 ) is introduced into the first chamber (1) and at the same time brine (56) is discharged from the second chamber (2) through the second rinsing tube device (14) leading to the second chamber (2) or through water (50) through the second chamber (2 ) leading second purge tube means (14) introduced into the second chamber (2) and at the same time brine (55) through the first chamber (1) leading first purge tube means (13) from the first chamber (1) is derived.

10. A method for producing an energy storage device with at least one cavern (63),

characterized,

in that the cavern (63) is removed by means of a method according to one of claims 1 to 9 and subsequently an energy carrier (81) is arranged in this cavern (63), energy being subsequently stored in the cavern (63) by means of this energy carrier (81) is, which is usable by or after derivation from the cavern (63) for conversion into electrical energy.

1 1. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the energy carrier (81) is a brine with polymers, that further brine with other polymers in at least one other cavern, in particular after production by a method according to one of claims 1 to 9, is arranged, and that both caverns (63) by means of one

Pipe system (99, 100) to a galvanic cell (82) are connected and together with the galvanic cell (82) and the pipe systems (99, 100) form a flux battery.

A method according to claim 1 1, characterized in that for each pipe system (99, 100) a plurality of pipes (69, 70) are provided, wherein in each chamber (1, 2) from which the caverns (63) are produced, in each case at least one of the pipes (69, 70) extends into it.

A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the flushing pipes (19, 21, 20, 22) are removed and that the pipes (69, 70) are installed in place of the flushing pipes (19, 21, 20, 22).

Cavern in an underground salt layer, produced by a method according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a plurality of boreholes (7 - 12) open side by side into the cavern (63) and wherein the length of the cavern (63) is greater than its depth.

Energy storage device produced by a method according to one of claims 10 to 13 and comprising at least one cavern (63) in an underground salt layer, wherein a plurality of boreholes (7 - 12) open side by side into the cavern (63), the length of the cavern (63 ) is greater than its height, wherein in the cavern (63) an energy carrier (81) is arranged and by means of this energy carrier (81) energy in the cavern (63) is stored, which by or after discharge from the cavern (63) usable for conversion into electrical energy.