Open AccessExperimental study of coalbed methane thermal recovery
Author(s) -
Cao Yuanhao,
Chen Wei,
Yuan Yinnan,
Wang Tengxi,
Sun Jiafeng,
Cai Yidong
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
energy science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.638
H-Index - 29
ISSN - 2050-0505
DOI - 10.1002/ese3.637
Subject(s) - coalbed methane , anthracite , coal , methane , materials science , permeability (electromagnetism) , cracking , microstructure , porosity , volume (thermodynamics) , microporous material , petroleum engineering , composite material , waste management , chemistry , geology , thermodynamics , coal mining , biochemistry , physics , organic chemistry , membrane , engineering
Extracting coalbed methane is challenging due to the strong gas adsorption capacity and low matrix permeability of the coalbed. Recently, thermal recovery methods have been tested to promote methane recovery. In this study, anthracite samples were heated to different temperatures to investigate the internal pressure variation and microstructure changes. It was found that higher temperature resulted in higher internal pressure. At low temperatures, the increase in the internal pressure was mainly due to gas desorption. At 500°C, thermal cracking gases provided the main contribution to the high internal pressures, as more gaseous products were generated at the higher temperature. In addition, the microstructure of coal significantly changed after combustion, including the increased pore volume, the increased specific surface area, and the generation of microfractures. These changes could potentially increase the porosity and permeability of coal. Thus, high‐temperature thermal treatments not only provided energy for gas desorption and organic matter decomposition but also improved conditions for gas transport.