Changes in pore structure of coal caused by coal-to-gas bioconversion

Zhang, Rui; Liu, Shimin; Bahadur, Jitendra; Elsworth, Derek; Wang, Yi; Hu, Guanglong; Liang, Yanna

doi:10.1038/s41598-017-04110-z

Title: Changes in pore structure of coal caused by coal-to-gas bioconversion

Journal Article · Mon Jun 19 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Scientific Reports

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-04110-z· OSTI ID:1429067

Zhang, Rui ^[1]; Liu, Shimin ^[1];

^[2]; Elsworth, Derek ^[1]; Wang, Yi ^[1]; Hu, Guanglong ^[1]; Liang, Yanna ^[3]

Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States). Dept. of Energy and Mineral Engineering. G3 Center. Energy Inst.
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai (India). Solid State Physics Division
Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale, IL (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Microbial enhanced coalbed methane (ME-CBM) recovery is critically examined as a viable technology for natural gas recovery from coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs. Since the majority of gas-in-place (GIP) is stored as an adsorbed phase in fine pores of coal matrix, the nano-pore structure directly influences gas storage and transport properties. Only limited studies have quantified the alteration of the nano-pore structure due to ME-CBM treatment. This study examines the evolution of the pore structure using a combination of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), low-pressure N₂ and CO₂ adsorption (LPGA) and high-pressure methane adsorption methods. The results show that the surface fractal dimension decreases for the two bioconverted coals compared to the untreated coal. After bio-treatment, the mesopore surface area and pore volume decrease with the average pore diameter increases, while the micropore surface area increases with pore volume decreases. Both inaccessible meso-/micropore size distributions decrease after bioconversion, while the accessible micropore size distribution increases, making a portion of closed micropore network accessible. In addition, the methane adsorption capacities increase after bio-treatment, which is confirmed by the increase of micropore surface area. A conceptual physical model of methanogenesis is proposed based on the evolution of the pore structure.

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Research Organization:: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE)

Grant/Contract Number:: FE0026161

OSTI ID:: 1429067

Journal Information:: Scientific Reports, Vol. 7; ISSN 2045-2322

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 28 works

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