Enhancement of Coalbed Methane via Nitrogen Injection in a Coal Mining Area: A Laboratory and Field Study
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 149, Issue 6
Abstract
Gas flooding is a key technique for increasing coalbed methane (CBM) production of declining wells in coal mining areas. Nitrogen is clean, pollution-free, low-cost, and relatively safe compared with carbon dioxide. In this study, nitrogen drive experiments were conducted under different conditions using a coal–gas–liquid relative permeability device and gas chromatography. The effects of the temperature, intermittent time, nitrogen purity, and displacement pressure on the output characteristics were investigated, and then, field tests were conducted. The results show that with increasing displacement time, the produced gas volume and flow rate are dominated by methane at the beginning and then quickly transform into nitrogen. The volumes of both methane and nitrogen are positively correlated with the displacement time via a power function. Additionally, increasing the nitrogen temperature, intermittent time, nitrogen purity, and injection pressure can effectively increase methane production. In the field test conducted in the Fanzhuang block in the Qinshui Basin, China, the methane production of 10 monitoring wells was , which was higher than that before nitrogen injection. This paper provides an optimized scheme for the stimulation of CBM via nitrogen displacement in coal mining areas, which has a good application prospect.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request (Figs. 4–10 and 12–14).
Acknowledgments
This work was financially supported by the Major Science and Technology Project of PetroChina (No. 2017E–1404), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 42102220) and Fund of Outstanding Talents in Discipline of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) (No. 102–162301192664). We thank LetPub (www.letpub.com) for its linguistic assistance during the preparation of this manuscript. Theses supports are gratefully acknowledged.
References
Aziz, N., R. Florentin, L. Zhang, T. Ren, and D. Black. 2014. “Enhancement of coal seam gas by injection—A laboratory study.” In Proc., 10th Int. Mine Ventilation Congress, 41–46. Wollongong, Australia: Univ. of Wollongong.
Bai, G., J. Su, Z. Zhang, A. Lan, X. Zhou, F. Gao, and J. Zhou. 2022. “Effect of injection on desorption rate in poor permeability coal seams: An experimental study.” Energy 238 (Jan): 121674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121674.
Cao, Y. X., F. Shi, D. Zhou, H. M. Wu, T. J. Liu, L. Tian, Y. H. Cao, and M. Jia. 2019. “Study and application of stimulation technology for low production CBM well through high pressure injection-soak.” J. China Coal Soc. 44 (8): 2556–2565. https://doi.org/10.13225/j.cnki.jccs.KJ19.0552.
Chen, Y., H. Fu, D. Ma, Z. Duan, Y. Zhang, F. Yang, W. Li, C. Zheng, and J. Teng. 2021. “Differences of the pore structure and methane adsorption/desorption between vitrain and durain of low-rank coals: Case study in the Huanglong Coalfield, southern Ordos Basin, China.” J. Energy Eng. 147 (5): 04021038. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000784.
Fan, C., D. Elsworth, S. Li, Z. Chen, M. Luo, Y. Song, and H. Zhang. 2019. “Modelling and optimization of enhanced coalbed methane recovery using mixtures.” Fuel 253 (Oct): 1114–1129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2019.04.158.
Fujioka, M., S. Yamaguchi, and M. Nako. 2010. “-ECBM field tests in the Ishikari Coal Basin of Japan.” Int. J. Coal Geol. 82 (3–4): 287–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2010.01.004.
Godec, M., G. Koperna, and J. Gale. 2014. “-ECBM: A review of its status and global potential.” Energy Procedia 63 (Jan): 5858–5869. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2014.11.619.
Gong, H., K. Wang, G. Wang, X. Yang, and F. Du. 2021. “Underground coal seam gas displacement by injecting nitrogen: Field test and effect prediction.” Fuel 306 (Dec): 121646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2021.121646.
Gunter, W. D., T. Gentzis, B. A. Rottenfusser, and R. J. H. Richardson. 1997. “Deep coalbed methane in Alberta, Canada: A fuel resource with the potential of zero greenhouse gas emissions.” Supplement, Energy Convers. Manage. 38 (Jan): S217–S222. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-8904(96)00272-5.
Gunter, W. D., M. J. Mavor, and J. R. Robinson. 2005. “ storage and enhanced methane production: Field testing at Fenn-Big Valley, Alberta, Canada, with application.” In Proc., 7th Int. Conf. on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies 5, 413–421. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-008044704-9/50042-2.
Kang, J., X. Fu, S. Liang, F. Zhou, and Y. Li. 2018. “Experimental study of changes in fractures and permeability during nitrogen injection and sealing of low-rank coal.” J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 57 (Sep): 21–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2018.06.041.
Li, R., S. Wang, S. Lyu, Y. Xiao, D. Su, and J. Wang. 2018. “Dynamic behaviours of reservoir pressure during coalbed methane production in the southern Qinshui Basin, North China.” Eng. Geol. 238 (May): 76–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2018.03.002.
Li, X., and Z.-M. Fang. 2014. “Current status and technical challenges of storage in coal seams and enhanced coalbed methane recovery: An overview.” Int. J. Coal Sci. Technol. 1 (1): 93–102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40789-014-0002-9.
Liang, Y., F. Wang, Y. Luo, and Q. Hu. 2018. “Desorption characterization of methane and carbon dioxide in coal and its influence on outburst prediction.” Adsorpt. Sci. Technol. 36 (7–8): 1484–1495. https://doi.org/10.1177/0263617418781903.
Lin, J., T. Ren, Y. Cheng, J. Nemcik, and G. Wang. 2019. “Cyclic injection for enhanced coal seam gas recovery: A laboratory study.” Energy 188 (Dec): 116115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116115.
Liu, H., S. Sang, J. Xue, G. Wang, H. Xu, B. Ren, C. Liu, and S. Liu. 2016. “Characteristics of an in situ stress field and its control on coal fractures and coal permeability in the Gucheng block, southern Qinshui Basin, China.” J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 36 (Nov): 1130–1139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2016.03.024.
Li-Wei, C., W. Lin, Y. Tian-Hong, and Y. Hong-Min. 2021. “Deformation and swelling of coal induced from competitive adsorption of .” Fuel 286 (Feb): 119356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.119356.
Long, H., H. Lin, M. Yan, P. Chang, S. Gang Li, and Y. Bai. 2021. “Molecular simulation of the competitive adsorption characteristics of , , , and multicomponent gases in coal.” Powder Technol. 385 (Jun): 348–356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2021.03.007.
Luo, P. 2014. “Study on permeability improvement through high-pressure injection—Taking Luan mining area as example.” China University of Mining Technology. Accessed May 1, 2014. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms/detail/detail.aspx?FileName=1014074266.nh&Db=CMFD2015.
Lv, S., S. Wang, R. Li, G. Li, M. Yuan, and J. Wang. 2019. “Prediction of coal structure using particle size characteristics of coalbed methane well cuttings.” Int. J. Min. Sci. Technol. 29 (2): 209–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2018.05.009.
Lv, Y., D. Tang, H. Xu, and H. Luo. 2012. “Production characteristics and the key factors in high-rank coalbed methane fields: A case study on the Fanzhuang Block, southern Qinshui Basin, China.” Int. J. Coal Geol. 96 (Jul): 93–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2012.03.009.
Lyu, S., X. Chen, R. Li, S. Wang, J. Liu, and P. Shen. 2021. “Microstructure analysis on the fracture network in high-rank coals.” Earth Space Sci. 8 (8): e2021EA001780. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021EA001780.
Lyu, S., X. Chen, S. M. Shah, and X. Wu. 2019a. “Experimental study of influence of natural surfactant soybean phospholipid on wettability of high-rank coal.” Fuel 239 (Mar): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2018.11.005.
Lyu, S., S. Wang, X. Chen, S. M. Shah, R. Li, Y. Xiao, Q. Dong, and Y. Gu. 2019b. “Experimental study of a degradable polymer drilling fluid system for coalbed methane well.” J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 178 (Jul): 678–690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2019.03.065.
Lyu, S., S. Wang, X. Chen, S. Wang, T. Wang, X. Shi, Q. Dong, and J. Li. 2020. “Natural fractures in soft coal seams and their effect on hydraulic fracture propagation: A field study.” J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 192 (Sep): 107255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2020.107255.
Lyu, S., S. Wang, J. Li, X. Chen, L. Chen, Q. Dong, X. Zhang, and P. Huang. 2022. “Massive hydraulic fracturing to control gas outbursts in soft coal seams.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 55 (Jan): 1759–1776. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-021-02734-2.
Ma, B., L. Jia, Y. Yu, H. Wang, J. Chen, S. Zhong, and J. Zhu. 2021. “Geoscience and carbon neutralization: Current status and development direction.” Geol. China 48 (2): 347–358. https://doi.org/10.12029/gc20210201.
Ma, X., C. Wang, B. Dong, G. Gu, R. Chen, Y. Li, H. Zou, W. Zhang, and Q. Li. 2019. “Carbon emissions from energy consumption in China: Its measurement and driving factors.” Sci. Total Environ. 648 (Jan): 1411–1420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.183.
Meng, Z., J. Zhang, and R. Wang. 2011. “In-situ stress, pore pressure and stress-dependent permeability in the southern Qinshui Basin.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 48 (1): 122–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2010.10.003.
Ni, X., B. Jia, and Y. Cao. 2012. “Study on improving coal-bed gas recovery rate by hydraulic fracturing and nitrogen injection of borehole.” [In Chinese.] Min. Saf. Environ. Prot. 39 (1): 1–5.
Niu, Q.-H., L.-W. Cao, S.-X. Sang, W. Wang, W. Yuan, J.-F. Chang, X.-J. Jia, W.-M. Zheng, and Z.-X. Zhang. 2021. “A small-scale experimental study of enhanced injectivity methods of the high-rank coal.” Pet. Sci. 18 (5): 1427–1440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petsci.2021.08.006.
Oudinot, A., K. Schepers, and S. Reeves. 2007. “Gas injection and breakthrough trends as observed in ECBM sequestration pilot projects and field demonstrations.” In Proc., Int. Coalbed Methane Symp., 24–25. Vienna, Austria: International Atomic Energy Agency.
Reeves, S., and A. Oudinot. 2005. The tiffany unit N2-ECBM pilot: A reservoir modeling study. Washington, DC: US Department of Energy.
Reeves, S. R. 2005. “The Coal-Seq project: Key results from field, laboratory, and modeling studies.” In Proc., 7th Int. Conf. on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies 5, 1399–1403. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-008044704-9/50155-5.
Shi, J.-Q., S. Durucan, and M. Fujioka. 2008. “A reservoir simulation study of injection and flooding at the Ishikari coalfield storage pilot project, Japan.” Int. J. Greenhouse Gas Control 2 (1): 47–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1750-5836(07)00112-0.
State Administration of Work Safety. 2022. Coal mine safety regulations. Beijing: Emergency Management Press.
Tao, S., Z. Pan, S. Chen, and S. Tang. 2019. “Coal seam porosity and fracture heterogeneity of marcolithotypes in the Fanzhuang Block, southern Qinshui Basin, China.” J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 66 (Jun): 148–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2019.03.030.
Wang, H., X. Fu, K. Jian, T. Li, and P. Luo. 2015. “Changes in coal pore structure and permeability during injection.” J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 27 (Nov): 1234–1241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2015.09.068.
Wang, Y., C.-H. Guo, X.-J. Chen, L.-Q. Jia, X.-N. Guo, R.-S. Chen, M.-S. Zhang, Z.-Y. Chen, and H.-D. Wang. 2021. “Carbon peak and carbon neutrality in China: Goals, implementation path and prospects.” China Geol. 4 (4): 720–746. https://doi.org/10.31035/cg2021083.
White, C. M., D. H. Smith, K. L. Jones, A. L. Goodman, S. A. Jikich, R. B. LaCount, S. B. DuBose, E. Ozdemir, B. I. Morsi, and K. T. Schroeder. 2005. “Sequestration of carbon dioxide in coal with enhanced coalbed methane recovery a review.” Energy Fuels 19 (3): 659–724. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef040047w.
Yang, X., J. Cai, G. Jiang, J. Xie, Y. Shi, S. Chen, Y. Yue, L. Yu, Y. He, and K. Xie. 2020. “Nanoparticle plugging prediction of shale pores: A numerical and experimental study.” Energy 208 (Oct): 118337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.118337.
Yang, X., J. Cai, G. Jiang, Y. Zhang, Y. Shi, S. Chen, Y. Yue, Z. Wei, D. Yin, and H. Li. 2022. “Modeling of nanoparticle fluid microscopic plugging effect on horizontal and vertical wellbore of shale gas.” Energy 239 (Jan): 122130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.122130.
Yuan, L. 2015. “Theory and practice of integrated coal production and gas extraction.” Int. J. Coal Sci. Technol. 2 (1): 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40789-015-0065-2.
Zhang, B., X. Fu, G. Li, Z. Deng, Y. Shen, and M. Hao. 2020. “An experimental study on the effect of nitrogen injection on the deformation of coal during methane desorption.” J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 83 (Nov): 103529. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2020.103529.
Zhang, L., J. Li, J. Xue, C. Zhang, and X. Fang. 2021a. “Experimental studies on the changing characteristics of the gas flow capacity on bituminous coal in -ECBM and -ECBM.” Fuel 291 (May): 120115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.120115.
Zhang, L., T. Ren, N. Aziz, and C. Zhang. 2019. “Evaluation of coal seam gas drainability for outburst-prone and high--containing coal seam.” Geofluids 2019 (Feb): 3481834. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/3481834.
Zhang, X., S. Zhang, Z. Du, G. G. X. Wang, S. Heng, X. Liu, and J. Lin. 2021b. “ and adsorption/desorption effects and thermodynamic characteristics in confined coal.” J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 207 (Dec): 109166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109166.
Zhou, S., H. Wang, S. Jiang, D. Yan, D. Liu, Z. Zhang, and G. Li. 2022. “A novel approach to obtain fractal dimension in coals by LFNMR: Insights from the peak and geometric mean.” J. Energy Eng. 148 (3): 04022009. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000827.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 149 • Issue 6 • December 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 8, 2023
Accepted: Jul 10, 2023
Published online: Sep 22, 2023
Published in print: Dec 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Feb 22, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Chemical compounds
- Chemical elements
- Chemicals
- Chemistry
- Coal mining
- Continuum mechanics
- Displacement (mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Environmental engineering
- Field tests
- Geotechnical engineering
- Laboratory tests
- Methane
- Mines and mining
- Nitrogen
- Nutrient pollution
- Organic compounds
- Pollution
- Solid mechanics
- Structural mechanics
- Tests (by type)
- Water pollution
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Bing Zhu, Shugang Li, Yang Ding, Pengfei Ji, Mengdi Wang, Study of Gas Migration in the Fissures of Closed Goaf and Production Characteristics in Vertical Wells under Different Gas Injection Conditions, Journal of Energy Engineering, 10.1061/JLEED9.EYENG-5392, 150, 4, (2024).