A Mathematical Model to Study the Coupling Effect of Deformation-Seepage-Heat Transfer on Coalbed Methane Transport and Its Simulative Application

Abstract EN

Injection of high-temperature water or steam into low-permeability coalbed for efficient and rapid extraction of coalbed methane has been studied by our university for many years and will soon be implemented in the field.

With comprehensive consideration of coupling of heat transfer, water seepage, desorption of coalbed methane, and coal-rock mass deformation, the paper establishes a more comprehensive mathematical model of the coupling effect of deformation-seepage-heat transfer on coalbed methane transport.

Compared with the previous studies, this theoretical model considers the change of adsorbed and free coalbed methane at high temperature and the coalbed methane transport caused by a high-temperature gradient.

Using the Tunlan Coal Mine of Shanxi Coking Coal Group to conduct the numerical simulations on the coalbed methane extraction project using heat injection technology, results show that (1) high-temperature water flowed towards the extraction hole along fractured fissures, with seepage towards the coal mass on both sides of the fissure at the same time, gradually heating the coalbed and forming an arcuate distribution of temperature from high to low for an area from the fractured fissure to the coalbed upper and lower boundaries.

On the thirtieth day of heat injection, the temperature of the coalbed in the heat injection area ranged from 140°C to 260°C.

(2) Under high temperatures, desorption of the coalbed gas was quick, and the adsorption gas content formed an oval funnel from the heat injection hole towards the extraction hole, centered by the fractured fissure, and migrating towards the coalbed upper and lower boundaries.

Along with heat injection and extraction, the absorbed gas content rapidly decreased, and on the thirtieth day of injection, the absorbed gas content of the entire heat injection area decreased to 1.5 m3/t, only 7% of the original.

(3) During heat injection, the coalbed gas pore pressure rapidly increased and reached 5.5 MPa on the tenth day, about 4.5 times the original, and the pore pressure steadied at 3.5 MPa on the thirtieth day of extraction.

Such a high gas pressure gradient promoted the rapid flow and drainage of the gas.