3D reconstruction of coal pore network and its application in CO_(2)-ECBM process simulation at laboratory scale

Three-dimensional(3D)reconstruction of the equivalent pore network model(PNM)using X-ray computed tomography(CT)data are of significance for studying the CO_(2)-enhanced coalbed methane recovery(CO_(2)-ECBM).The docking among X-ray CT technology,MATLAB,with COMSOL software not only can realize the 3D reconstruction of PNM,but also the CO_(2)-ECBM process simulation.The results show that the Median filtering algorithm enabled the de-noising of the original 2D CT slices,the image segmentation of all slices was realized based on the selected threshold,and the PNM can be constructed based on the Maximum Sphere algorithm.The mathematical model of CO_(2)-ECBM process fully coupled the expanded Langmuir equation.At the same time for CO_(2)injection,CH_(4)pressure tends to decrease with the increase of CO_(2)pressure,but its difference is not obvious.The CH_(4)pressure in the slice center changed a lot,while at the edge it changed a little under different CO_(2)pressures.The injected CO_(2)was transported to matrix along the macro and micro-fractures with continuous flow.The injected CO_(2)first replaced the adsorbed CH_(4)by covering the inner surface of macro-pores and meso-pores to form the single molecular layer adsorption of CO_(2).Then they migrated to micro-pores by Fick’s diffusion,sliding flow,and surface diffusion.Furthermore,the CO_(2)replaced CH_(4)adsorbed by volumetric filling in micro-pores,and formed the multi-molecular layer adsorption of CO_(2).The gas pressure and migration path between CO_(2)and CH_(4)are opposite.This study can provide a theoretical basis for studying digital rock physics technology and enrich the development of CO_(2)-ECBM technology.