Shrinkage and Swelling of Coal Induced by Desorption and Sorption of Fluids: Theoretical Model and Interpretation of a Field Project

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2009 · International Journal of Coal Geology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2008.08.005· OSTI ID:947202

Siriwardane, H J; Gondle, R K; Smith, D H

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.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE - Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
• OSTI ID: 947202
• Report Number(s): DOE/NETL-TPR-2148
• Journal Information: International Journal of Coal Geology, Journal Name: International Journal of Coal Geology Journal Issue: 1-2 Vol. 77; ISSN 0166-5162
• Publisher: Elsevier B.V
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
03 NATURAL GAS
ADSORPTION HEAT
CARBON DIOXIDE
CHEMISORPTION
COAL
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL SEAMS
DATA
DESORPTION
GASES
METHANE
MORPHOLOGY
PENTACENE
PERFORMANCE
PERMEABILITY
POROSITY
PRODUCTION
SHRINKAGE
SILICON
SIMULATORS
SORPTION
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
SWELLING
carbon sequestration
coal shrinkage
coal swelling
reservoir modeling