Modelling of anisotropic coal swelling and its impact on permeability behaviour for primary and enhanced coalbed methane recovery

Coal swelling/shrinkage during gas adsorption/desorption is a well-known phenomenon. For some coals the swelling/shrinkage shows strong anisotropy, with more swelling in the direction perpendicular to the bedding than that parallel to the bedding. Experimental measurements performed in this work on an Australian coal found strong anisotropic swelling behaviour in gases including nitrogen, methane and carbon dioxide, with swelling in the direction perpendicular to the bedding almost double that parallel to the bedding. It is proposed here that this anisotropy is caused by anisotropy in the coal's mechanical properties and matrix structure. The Pan and Connell coal swelling model, which applies an energy balance approach where the surface energy change caused by adsorption is equal to the elastic energy change of the coal solid, is further developed to describe the anisotropic swelling behaviour incorporating coal property and structure anisotropy. The developed anisotropic swelling model is able to accurately describe the experimental data mentioned above, with one set of parameters to describe the coal's properties and matrix structure and three gas adsorption isotherms. This developed model is also applied to describe anisotropic swelling measurements from the literature where the model was found to provide excellent agreement with the measurement. The anisotropic coal swelling model is also applied to an anisotropic permeability model to describe permeability behaviour for primary and enhanced coalbed methane recovery. It was found that the permeability calculation applying anisotropic coal swelling differs significantly to the permeability calculated using isotropic volumetric coal swelling strain. This demonstrates that for coals with strong anisotropic swelling, anisotropic swelling and permeability models should be applied to more accurately describe coal permeability behaviour for both primary and enhanced coalbed methane recovery processes.     

二氧化碳注入煤层多用途研究

为了减轻环境污染,提高煤层气产率,增加能源储备,根据煤层气地质学和生物气的基本理论,提出二氧化碳(CO2)注入煤层多种用途这一新观点。研究结果显示:煤对CO2具有很强的吸附能力,可将煤层作为CO2的储集层;煤具有优先吸附CO2而滞后吸附甲烷(CH4)的特性,向煤层注入CO2可大大提高煤层气的采收率;产甲烷菌具有利用CO2生成CH4的能力,新生成的CH4成为能源储备的有益补充。可见,CO2注入煤层不仅可有效减少温室气体的排放,强化煤层甲烷产出,而且为新能源生物CH4的生成提供了基质。     

煤体吸附膨胀变形模型理论研究

为了深入探讨煤体吸附瓦斯发生膨胀变形效应的力学行为,基于煤-气吸附界面的表面自由能变化等于煤体弹性能的变化基本假设,从理论上推导了煤体吸附膨胀模型中吸附膨胀变形表达式和吸附膨胀应力表达式,模型中各参数的物理意义明确。通过已有的试验数据分别从低气体压、中气体压和高气体压3个角度对吸附变形模型的适用性和正确性进行了验证。模拟结果表明,模型预测数据与已有的试验数据吻合度较高,能够很好地描述不同气体在不同压力条件下的煤体吸附膨胀差异性,拟合精度均较高;在综合考虑吸附膨胀应力和气体压力对煤体吸附膨胀变形影响前提下,忽略吸附气体体积Va对煤体吸附膨胀变形的影响。     

Swelling-induced volumetric strains internal to a stressed coal associated with CO2 sorption

It is generally accepted that typical coalbed gases (methane and carbon dioxide) are sorbed (both adsorbed and absorbed) in the coal matrix causing it to swell and resulting in local stress and strain variations in a coalbed confined under overburden pressure. The swelling, interactions of gases within the coal matrix and the resultant changes in the permeability, sorption, gas flow mechanics in the reservoir, and stress state of the coal can impact a number of reservoir-related factors. These include effective production of coalbed methane, degasification of future mining areas by drilling horizontal and vertical degasification wells, injection of CO₂ as an enhanced coalbed methane recovery technique, and concurrent CO₂ sequestration. Such information can also provide an understanding of the mechanisms behind gas outbursts in underground coal mines.The spatio-temporal volumetric strains in a consolidated Pittsburgh seam coal sample were evaluated while both confining pressure and carbon dioxide (CO₂) pore pressure were increased to keep a constant positive effective stress on the sample. The changes internal to the sample were evaluated by maps of density and atomic number determined by dual-energy X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT). Early-time images, as soon as CO₂ was introduced, were also used to calculate the macroporosity in the coal sample. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photographic images of the polished section of the coal sample at X-ray CT image location were used to identify the microlithotypes and microstructures.The CO₂ sorption-associated swelling and volumetric strains in consolidated coal under constant effective stress are heterogeneous processes depending on the lithotypes present. In the time scale of the experiment, vitrite showed the highest degree of swelling due to dissolution of CO₂, while the clay (kaolinite) and inertite region was compressed in response. The volumetric strains associated with swelling and compression were between ± 15% depending on the location. Although the effective stress on the sample was constant, it varied within the sample as a result of the internal stresses created by gas sorption-related structural changes. SEM images and porosity calculations revealed that the kaolinite and inertite bearing layer was highly porous, which enabled the fastest CO₂ uptake and the highest degree of compression.     

远红外作用下不同含水率煤体吸附/解吸能量变化规律

煤体对气体进行吸附/解吸过程的本质是气体分子和煤基质表面分子或原子相互作用的过程，而发生相互作用的本质是能量变化，为了深入研究远红外作用下煤层气吸附/解吸过程及能量变化规律，利用自主研制装置进行远红外作用下不同含水率煤样对CO₂的吸附/解吸实验，然后利用远红外热辐射原理所得的吸附/解吸能量公式对实验结果进行计算，得到不同含水率煤体吸附/解吸过程能量变化规律。结果表明:在远红外作用下，解吸率虽然随含水率增大呈下降趋势，但是下降幅度明显减小，远红外作用可以降低水分对煤层气吸附/解吸能力的影响；远红外作用下不同含水率煤体对气体吸附/解吸过程是一个物理变化，从能量角度可以解释该过程，其变化规律与等温吸附/解吸过程相吻合。研究结果丰富了煤层气增产技术理论。      

Interpretation of carbon dioxide diffusion behavior in coals

Storage of carbon dioxide in geological formations is for many countries one of the options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus to satisfy the Kyoto agreements. The CO₂ storage in unminable coal seams has the advantage that it stores CO₂ emissions from industrial processes and can be used to enhance coalbed methane recovery (CO₂-ECBM). For this purpose, the storage capacity of coal is an important reservoir parameter. While the amount of CO₂ sorption data on various natural coals has increased in recent years, only few measurements have been performed to estimate the rate of CO₂ sorption under reservoir conditions. An understanding of gas transport is crucial for processes associated with CO₂ injection, storage and enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) production.A volumetric experimental set-up has been used to determine the rate of sorption of carbon dioxide in coal particles at various pressures and various grain size fractions. The pressure history during each pressure step was measured. The measurements are interpreted in terms of temperature relaxation and transport/sorption processes within the coal particles. The characteristic times of sorption increase with increasing pressure. No clear dependence of the characteristic time with respect to the particle size was found. At low pressures (below 1 MPa) fast gas diffusion is the prevailing mechanism for sorption, whereas at higher pressures, the slow diffusion process controls the gas uptake by the coal.     

气体吸附诱发煤强度劣化的力学模型与数值分析

在吸附性气体作用下,煤体将产生吸附应变,吸附应变通过使煤微观结构重新排列从而诱发煤损伤,并使其力学性质劣化。尽管大量试验证实了吸附性气体将会改变煤的力学特性,然而当前描述煤-气相互作用的力学模型并未将吸附诱发的损伤考虑其中,故也无法考虑气体吸附诱发煤强度劣化。基于此,建立一个考虑气体吸附损伤的双重孔隙介质力学模型,揭示气体吸附过程诱发的两个相互作用：一个是游离气体引起的常规弹性力学作用,一个是吸附气体诱发的内部膨胀应力,并在此基础上考虑两个力学作用所带来了煤的附加损伤。研究结果表明：气体吸附诱发煤基质产生细观损伤,以拉伸损伤为主,这使煤的力学性质劣化,表现为弹性模量和强度的降低。吸附能力越强的气体,诱发煤的微观结构改变越大,损伤越明显,甚至会诱发煤样呈现新的破坏形态。超临界CO2会诱发煤更大的损伤和强度劣化。     

Assessment of shrinkage–swelling influences in coal seams using rank-dependent physical coal properties

Characterization of coal reservoirs and determination of in-situ physical coal properties related to transport mechanism are complicated due to having lack of standard procedures in the literature. By considering these difficulties, a new approach has been developed proposing the usage of relationships between coal rank and physical coal properties. In this study, effects of shrinkage and swelling (SS) on total methane recovery at CO₂ breakthrough (TMRB), which includes ten-year primary methane recovery and succeeding enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) recovery up to CO₂ breakthrough, and CO₂ sequestration have been investigated by using rank-dependent coal properties. In addition to coal rank, different coal reservoir types, molar compositions of injected fluid, and parameters within the extended Palmer & Mansoori (P&M) permeability model were considered. As a result of this study, shrinkage and swelling lead to an increase in TMRB. Moreover, swelling increased CO₂ breakthrough time and decreased displacement ratio and CO₂ storage for all ranks of coal. Low-rank coals are affected more negatively than high-rank coals by swelling. Furthermore, it was realized that dry coal reservoirs are more influenced by swelling than others and saturated wet coals are more suitable for eliminating the negative effects of CO₂ injection. In addition, it was understood that it is possible to reduce swelling effect of CO₂ on cleat permeability by mixing it with N₂ before injection. However, an economical optimization is required for the selection of proper gas mixture. Finally, it is concluded from sensitivity analysis that elastic modulus is the most important parameter, except the initial cleat porosity, controlling SS in the extended P&M model by highly affecting TMRB.     

煤层气吸附量动态变化模型研究

基于吸附势理论、气体状态方程,建立了煤储层压力与煤体吸附半径、孔隙半径与煤体吸附量、储层压力与煤体吸附量之间的关系模型,得出储层压力、吸附量、孔隙半径等多参数耦合的煤层气吸附量动态变化模型,利用潘庄区块煤体结构测试数据以及等温吸附试验结果对模型进行了验证。结果表明:潘庄区块以孔径小于7.7 nm的微孔为主,以孔径7.7 nm为临界点孔容呈先减小后增大趋势;模型计算的吸附量动态变化结果与煤体空气干燥基等温吸附变化结果在趋势上具有较高的一致性,模型的起始点为枯竭压力以及枯竭吸附量,得出潘庄区块枯竭吸附量为3 m3/t。模型不仅能够计算地层条件下不同温度和压力共同作用下煤体对甲烷气体的吸附量,且能够预测煤层气排采过程煤层气吸附量的动态变化,有助于确定煤层气排采工作制度以及提高煤层气采收率。      

History matching of enhanced coal bed methane laboratory core flood tests

Enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) involves the injection of a gas, such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, into the coal reservoir to displace the methane present. Potentially this strategy can offer greater recovery of the coal seam methane and higher rates of recovery due to pressure maintenance of the reservoir. While reservoir simulation forms an important part of the planning and assessment of ECBM, a key question is the accuracy of existing approaches to characterising and representing the gas migration process. Laboratory core flooding allows the gas displacement process to be investigated on intact coal core samples under conditions analogous to those in the reservoir. In this paper a series of enhanced drainage core floods are presented and history matched using an established coal seam gas reservoir simulator, SIMED II. The core floods were performed at two pore pressures, 2 MPa and 10 MPa, and involve either nitrogen or flue gas (90% nitrogen and 10% CO₂) flooding of core samples initially saturated with methane. At the end of the nitrogen floods the core flood was reversed by flooding with methane to investigate the potential for hysteresis in the gas displacement process. Prior to the core flooding an independent characterisation programme was performed on the core sample where the adsorption isotherm, swelling with gas adsorption, cleat compressibility and geomechanical properties were measured. This information was used in the history matching of the core floods; the properties adjusted in the history matching were related to the affect of sorption strain on coal permeability and the transfer of gas between cleat and matrix. Excellent agreement was obtained between simulated and observed gas rates, breakthrough times and total mass balances for the nitrogen/methane floods. It was found that a triple porosity model improved the agreement with observed gas migration over the standard dual porosity Warren-Root model. The Connell, Lu and Pan hydrostatic permeability model was used in the simulations and improved history match results by representing the contrast between pore and bulk sorption strains for the 10 MPa cases but this effect was not apparent for the 2 MPa cases. There were significant differences between the simulations and observations for CO₂ flow rates and mass balances for the flue gas core floods. A possible explanation for these results could be that there may be inaccuracy in the representation of mixed gas adsorption using the extended Langmuir adsorption model.     

颗粒煤甲烷吸附过程扩散特征

为了研究甲烷在颗粒煤中扩散、吸附至平衡过程的扩散特性,基于颗粒煤吸附甲烷幂函数扩散模型,利用磁悬浮天平高压等温吸附仪,测定不同压力下颗粒煤甲烷吸附过程中扩散量随时间变化值,研究颗粒煤甲烷吸附达到平衡前的扩散特征。实验结果表明:平衡压力对颗粒煤甲烷吸附和扩散特性影响显著;吸附量和平均扩散系数随着压力增大而增大;颗粒煤甲烷吸附过程扩散系数随时间呈幂函数衰减,前500 s衰减幅度较大,平均扩散系数与时间呈负相关关系。研究认为颗粒煤吸附甲烷幂函数扩散模型对于描述颗粒煤甲烷吸附扩散过程具有较高准确性,有助于分析煤层气排采过程煤层气吸附量的动态变化,提高煤层气采收率。      

Binary gas sorption/desorption experiments on a bituminous coal: Simultaneous measurements on sorption kinetics,volumetric strain and acoustic emission

There is still no clear understanding of the specific interactions between coal and gas molecules. In this context sorption–desorption studies of methane and carbon dioxide, both in a single gas environment and gas mixtures, are of fundamental interest. This paper presents the results of unique simultaneous measurements of sorption kinetics, volumetric strain and acoustic emission (AE) on three tetragonal coal samples subjected to sorption of carbon dioxide and methane mixtures. The coal was a high volatile bituminous C coal taken from the Budryk mine in the Upper Silesia Basin, Poland. Three different gas mixtures were used in the sorption tests, with dominant CO₂, with dominant CH₄ and a 50/50 mixture.The experimental set-up was designed specially for this study. It consisted of three individual units working together: (i) a unit for gas sorption experiments using a volumetric method, (ii) an AE apparatus for detecting, recording and analysing AE, and (iii) a strain meter for measuring strains induced in the coal sample by gas sorption/desorption. All measurements were computer aided.The experiments indicated that the coal tested showed preferential sorption of CH₄ at 2.6 MPa pressure and exhibited comparable affinities for CH₄ and CO₂ at higher pressures (4.0 MPa). The results of chromatographic analysis of the gas released on desorption suggested that the desorption of methane from the coal was favoured. The relationship between the volumetric strain and the amount of sorbed gas was found to be non-linear. These results were contrary to common opinions on the coal behaviour. Furthermore, it appeared that the swelling/shrinkage of coal was clearly influenced by the network of fractures. Besides, the AE and strain characteristics suggested common sources of sorption induced AE and strain.The present results may have implications for the sequestration of carbon dioxide in coal seams and enhanced coalbed methane recovery (ECBM).     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987112000308

The Panguan Syncline contains abundant coal resources,which may be a potential source of coalbed methane.In order to evaluate the coalbed methane production potential in this area,we investigated the pore-fracture system of coalbed methane reservoirs,and analyzed the gas sorption and seepage capacities by using various analytical methods,including scanning electron microscopy（SEM）,optical microscopy,mercury-injection test,low-temperature N₂ isotherm adsorption/desorption analyses,lowfield nuclear magnetic resonance and methane isothermal adsorption measurements.The results show that the samples of the coal reservoirs in the Panguan Syncline have moderate gas sorption capacity.However, the coals in the study area have favorable seepage capacities,and are conductive for the coalbed methane production.The physical properties of the coalbed methane reservoirs in the Panguan Syncline are generally controlled by coal metamorphism:the low rank coal usually has low methane sorption capacity and its pore and microfractures are poorly developed;while the medium rank coal has better methane sorption capacity,and its seepage pores and microfractures are well developed,which are sufficient for the coalbed methane’s gathering and exploration.Therefore,the medium rank coals in the Panguan Syncline are the most prospective targets for the coalbed methane exploration and production.     

CO2注入对煤储层应力应变与渗透率影响的实验研究

以沁水盆地成庄矿煤样为研究对象,利用实验室自主研发的CO₂注入与煤层气强化开采实验模拟装置进行不同有效应力和CO₂吸附压力下的煤岩渗透率测试。实验结果表明,煤岩的裂隙压缩系数受到CO₂吸附的影响,初始状态下、亚临界CO₂吸附和超临界CO₂吸附煤样裂隙压缩系数分别为0.066、0.086和0.089。引起裂隙压缩系数改变的原因主要有两方面:CO₂和煤中矿物反应提高了煤基质的不连续性;CO₂软化了煤基质同时降低了煤岩的力学性质。利用考虑吸附应变以及内部膨胀系数的渗透率模型对实测渗透率进行拟合,发现有效应力和内部膨胀系数成正比。CO₂吸附压力和有效应力的增大均提高了煤岩的内部膨胀系数,这影响了煤岩孔裂隙的开度,降低了煤储层的渗透率,并最终降低CO₂在煤储层中的可注性。      

基于煤层气井排采数据的储层含气量动态反演研究

煤储层含气量是煤层气开发的核心参数,但实测煤储层含气量与煤储层的真实含气量之间往往存在误差。基于窑街矿区海石湾井田煤层气井不同时段的产气量,以煤储层含气量“定体积”降低为基础,反演煤储层实时含气量,研究煤层气井排采过程煤储层实时含气量的变化规律。结果表明:煤储层含气量随排采时间呈线性下降趋势,不同步长煤层气井产气量与煤储层含气量降低幅度一致,遵循“定体积”产气特征,即煤层气单井产气量是煤基质“定体积”产出;煤层气井的产气量与含气量降低速率有关,而与煤储层原始含气量无关。煤储层为隔水层,水力压裂难以改变煤基微孔隙通道的结合水状态,CH₄产出过程受水–煤界面作用控制,煤层气产出是“CH₄·煤·水”三相界面传质作用的结果,水–煤界面作用中水的湍动提供并传递能量,激励块煤中CH₄解吸与产出。      

山西沁水煤层气田采收率预测

采用地质类比、等温吸附曲线及储层数值模拟 3种方法对山西沁水煤层气田主力气层———二叠系山西组 3# 煤层、石炭系太原组 15 # 煤层的煤层气采收率进行了预测 ,结果 3# 煤层的煤层气采收率为 6 2 % ,15 # 煤层的采收率为 5 5 % ,总平均采收率为 5 9%。分析对比了这 3种方法的运用条件及优缺点 ,指出煤层气采收率的预测必须采用多种方法 ,并结合具体的煤层气地质特点进行综合分析 ,才能得出合理的结论。     

Shrinkage and swelling of coal induced by desorption and sorption of fluids: Theoretical model and interpretation of a field project

Geologic sequestration in deep unmineable coal seams and enhanced coalbed methane production is a promising choice, economically and environmentally, to reduce anthropogenic gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Unmineable coal seams are typically known to adsorb large amounts of carbon dioxide in comparison to the sizeable amounts of sorbed methane, which raises the potential for large scale sequestration projects. During the process of sequestration, carbon dioxide is injected into the coalbed and desorbed methane is produced. The coal matrix is believed to shrink when a gas is desorbed and swell when a gas is sorbed, sometimes causing profound changes in the cleat porosity and permeability of the coal seam. These changes may have significant impact on the reservoir performance. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the combined influence of swelling and shrinkage, and geomechanical properties including elastic modulus, cleat porosity, and permeability of the reservoir.The present paper deals with the influence of swelling and shrinkage on the reservoir performance, and the geomechanical response of the reservoir system during the process of geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide and enhanced coalbed methane production in an actual field project located in northern New Mexico. A three-dimensional swelling and shrinkage model was developed and implemented into an existing reservoir model to understand the influence of geomechanical parameters, as well as swelling and shrinkage properties, on the reservoir performance. Numerical results obtained from the modified simulator were compared to available measured values from that site and previous studies. Results show that swelling and shrinkage, and the combination of geomechanical and operational parameters, have a significant influence on the performance of the reservoir system.     

混合气体驱替煤层气技术的可行性研究

气体驱替煤层气技术是近年来发展起来的具有温室气体减排和提高煤层气采收率双赢效果的新兴技术,相关研究受到世界主要发达国家的广泛重视。对于温室气体减排的压力,发达国家的研究主要着眼于该技术在高渗透、不可采煤层中的应用,注入气体主要为CO2,目的是尽可能多地封存CO2,同时提高煤层气采收率。目前,国内在这方面的研究刚刚起步。国内煤层具有渗透率普遍较低、不开采煤层与要开采煤层难以界定的特点,注CO2气体驱替煤层气在这种煤层中的可行性值得商榷。针对国内煤层特点和煤矿瓦斯抽采率低的现状,建议采用富N2混合气体驱替煤层气技术,以提高煤层气产采收率。通过理论分析、数值模拟和现场试验研究分析了实施混合气体驱替煤层气技术的可行性。研究结果表明,混合气体驱替煤层气技术适用于国内低渗透、可开采煤层,可以提高煤层气采收率和单产量。     

Impact of Gas Adsorption Induced Coal Matrix Damage on the Evolution of Coal Permeability

It has been widely reported that coal permeability can change from reduction to enhancement due to gas adsorption even under the constant effective stress condition, which is apparently inconsistent with the classic theoretical solutions. This study addresses this inconsistency through explicit simulations of the dynamic interactions between coal matrix swelling/shrinking induced damage and fracture aperture alteration, and translations of these interactions to permeability evolution under the constant effective stress condition. We develop a coupled coal–gas interaction model that incorporates the material heterogeneity and damage evolution of coal, which allows us to couple the progressive development of damage zone with gas adsorption processes within the coal matrix. For the case of constant effective stress, coal permeability changes from reduction to enhancement while the damage zone within the coal matrix develops from the fracture wall to further inside the matrix. As the peak Langmuir strain is approached, the decrease of permeability halts and permeability increases with pressure. The transition of permeability reduction to permeability enhancement during gas adsorption, which may be closely related to the damage zone development in coal matrix, is controlled by coal heterogeneity, external boundary condition, and adsorption-induced swelling.     

An improved permeability model of coal for coalbed methane recovery and CO2 geosequestration

An alternative approach is proposed to develop an improved permeability model for coalbed methane (CBM) and CO₂-enhanced CBM (ECBM) recovery, and CO₂ geosequestration in coal. This approach integrates the textural and mechanical properties to describe the anisotropy of gas permeability in coal reservoirs. The model accounts for the stress dependent deformation using a stress–strain correlation, which allows determination of directional permeability for coals. The stress–strain correlation was developed by combining mechanical strain with sorption-induced strain for any given direction. The mechanical strain of coal is described by the general thermo-poro-elastic constitutive equations for solid materials under isothermal conditions and the sorption-induced strain is approximated by treating the swelling/shrinkage of coal matrix equivalent to the thermal contraction/expansion of materials. With directional strains, the permeability of coal in any given direction can be modeled based on the theory of rock hydraulics. In this study, the proposed model was tested with both literature data and experiments. The experiments were carried out using a specially designed true tri-axial stress coal permeameter (TTSCP). The results show that the proposed model provides better predictions for the literature data compared with other conventional coal permeability models. The model also gives reasonable agreement between the predicted and measured stress–strains and directional permeabilities under laboratory conditions.