Methane Adsorption on Montmorillonite, Kaolinite and Illite at High Pressures

Shale gas, which is derived from organic matters in shale and stored in shale deposits, is an important unconventional gas resource and attracts attention due to its significant requirement in the hydrocarbon production. Methane (CH4) is the dominant component of shale gas, and adsorbed gas is an important reservoir form. Many studies have investigated the adsorption capacities and adsorption mechanisms of CH4 in shale. Organic matters and clay minerals have been proposed to be the two major components for CH4 adsorption. Adsorption of CH4 in organic matters, such as the adsorption capacity and effects of characteristics of the organic matters, has been well investigated. However, studies on CH4 adsorption on clay minerals have mainly focused on evaluating the adsorption capacity, and very little information about the adsorption mechanism has been provided. For example, the adsorption sites and factors influencing CH4 adsorption on clay minerals remain unclear. Three main reasons account for this: (1) the co-existence of organic matters in samples affects the evaluation of CH4 adsorption on clay minerals; (2) the pressures used during adsorption are not representative of actual reservoir pressures; and (3) the clay minerals selected have low swelling capacity and a smaller interlayer distances than a CH4 size, resulting in the misunderstanding of the CH4 adsorption sites.