A Numerical Study on the Long-Term Temperature Distribution in Near-Field Rock for Underground Liquid Hydrogen Storage Systems

Min-Jun Kim; Gyu-Hyun Go; Jong-Won Lee; Eui-Seob Park; Yong-Bok Jung; Myungsun Kim

doi:10.7843/kgs.2026.42.1.105

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2026 Vol.42, Issue 1 Preview Page Next Page

A Numerical Study on the Long-Term Temperature Distribution in Near-Field Rock for Underground Liquid Hydrogen Storage Systems 액화수소 지하저장시스템 근계 암반에서의 장기 온도분포 평가 수치해석 연구

28 February 2026. pp. 105-114

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Abstract

This study presents a preliminary numerical analysis of a conceptual model of an underground liquid hydrogen storage system to evaluate the long-term temperature distribution in the near-field rock mass and the characteristics of ice-ring formation. A coupled thermal–hydraulic numerical model was developed, accounting for phase changes due to pore water freezing and the behavior of unfrozen water. The model was validated through freezing soil box experiments using porous media. The experimental and numerical results demonstrated similar formation patterns of the frozen wall, indicating that the developed model reasonably predicts the freezing behavior of porous media. Preliminary analysis using the validated model indicated that the temperature at the outermost boundary of the lining entered the subzero range approximately one year after storage, reaching –7°C after 50 years. The maximum ice-ring thickness was 2.5 m after 30 years and 5 m after 50 years. Design parameter analysis revealed that the ice-ring thickness after 50 years varied substantially, ranging from 3 to 15 m depending on the thermal conductivity of the insulation. Furthermore, a circular rock cavern shape tended to expand the freezing influence zone more than a horseshoe shape. The numerical model and preliminary findings of this study provide fundamental data for the conceptual design of underground liquid hydrogen storage systems and for sensitivity analysis of design parameters.

Keywords

Underground hydrogen storage

Lined rock cavern

Liquid hydrogen

Temperature distribution

Thermal-hydraulic coupled analysis

본 연구에서는 액화수소 지하저장시스템 개념모델을 대상으로 예비 수치해석을 수행하여 저장소 인근 암반의 장기 온도분포 및 ice ring 형성 특성을 평가하였다. 이를 위해 공극수 동결에 따른 상변화와 부동수분 거동을 고려한 열–수리 완전 연계 해석 모델을 구축하고, 다공질 매질을 이용한 인공동결 토조 실험을 통해 모델을 검증하였다. 실험과 수치해석 결과에서 동결벽체의 형상 및 형성 패턴이 유사하게 나타나 구축된 모델이 다공질 매질의 동결 거동을 합리적으로 예측함을 확인하였다. 검증된 모델을 이용한 예비 해석 결과, 액화수소 저장 후 약 1년 경과 시 라이닝 최외곽 경계에서 영하 온도 영역에 진입하였고, 50년 경과 시 해당 경계 온도가 –7°C까지 저하되었다. 또한 ice ring의 최대 두께는 저장 후 30년 뒤 2.5 m, 50년 뒤에 5 m로 나타났다. 또한, 시스템의 일부 설계 인자 영향 분석을 수행하였으며, 절연체의 열전도도 변화에 따라 50년 후 ice ring 두께가 약 3–15 m 범위로 크게 달라졌다. 그리고 지하공동 형상에 따라 원형이 마제형보다 동결 영향 범위를 확대시키는 경향을 보였다. 본 연구의 수치해석 모델과 예비 해석 결과는 액화수소 지하저장시스템의 개념 설계 및 설계인자 민감도 평가를 위한 기초 자료로 활용될 수 있다.

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Information

Publisher :The Korean Geotechnical Society
Publisher(Ko) :한국지반공학회
Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
Journal Title(Ko) :한국지반공학회 논문집
Volume : 42
No :1
Pages :105-114
Received Date : 2026-01-13
Revised Date : 2026-01-22
Accepted Date : 2026-01-23
DOI :https://doi.org/10.7843/kgs.2026.42.1.105

Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society ISSN:1229-2427(Print) 2288-646X(Online) 한국지반공학회 논문집

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