Optimization strategy and procedure for coal bed methane separation

Coal bed methane （CBM） has a huge potential to be purified to relieve the shortage of natural gas meanwhile to weaken the greenhouse effect. This paper proposed an optimal design strategy for CBM to obtain an integrated process configuration consisting of three each single separation units, membrane, pressure swing absorption, and cryogenics. A superstructure model was established including all possible network configurations which were solved by MINLP. The design strategy optimized the separation unit configuration and operating conditions to satisfy the target of minimum total annual process cost. An example was presented for the separation of CH4/N2 mixtures in coal bed methane （CBM） treatment. The key operation parameters were also studied and they showed the influence to process configurations.

A continuous and high-efficiency process to separate coal bed methane with porous ZIF-8 slurry:Experimental study and mathematical modelling

Coal bed methane has been considered as an important energy resource.One major difficulty of purifying coal bed methane comes from the similar physical properties of CH_4 and N_2.The ZIF-8/water-glycol slurry was used as a medium to separate coal bed methane by fluidifying the solid adsorbent material.The sorption equilibrium experiment of binary mixture(CH_4/N_2)and slurry was conducted.The selectivity of CH_4 to N_2 is within the range of 2-6,which proved the feasibility of the slurry separation method.The modified Langmuir equation was used to describe the gas-slurry phase equilibrium behavior,and the calculated results were in good agreement with the experimental data.A continuous absorption-adsorption and desorption process on the separation of CH_4/N_2 in slurry is proposed and its mathematical model is also developed.Sensitivity analysis is conducted to determine the operation conditions and the energy performance of the proposed process was also evaluated.Feed gas contains 30 mol%of methane and the methane concentration in product gas is 95.46 mol%with the methane recovery ratio of 90.74%.The total energy consumption for per unit volume of product gas is determined as 1.846 kWh Nm^(-3).Experimental results and process simulation provide basic data for the design and operation of pilot and industrial plant.

A numerical simulation study on mechanical behaviour of coal with bedding planes under coupled static and dynamic load

To investigate the bedding influence on coal mechanical behaviour in underground environments such as coal or rock burst, simulations of dynamic SHPB tests of pre-stressed coal specimens with different bedding angles were carried out using a particle flow code 2-dimensional(PFC2D). Three impact velocities of 4, 8 and 12 m/s were selected to study dynamic behaviours of coal containing bedding planes under different dynamic loads. The simulation results showed that the existence of bedding planes leads to the degradation of the mechanical properties and their weakening effect significantly depends on the angle h between the bedding planes and load direction. With h increaseing from 0° to 90°, the strength first decreased and subsequently increased and specimens became most vulnerable when h was 30° or 45°.Five failure modes were observed in the specimens in the context of macro-cracks. Furthermore, energy characteristics combined with ultimate failure patterns revealed that maximum accumulated energy and failure intensity have a positive relation with the strength of specimen. When bedding planes were parallel or perpendicular to loading direction, specimens absorbed more energy and experienced more violent failure with increased number of cracks. In contrast, bedding planes with h of 30° or 45° reduced the specimens' ability of storing strain energy to the lowest with fewer cracks observed after failure.

Seismic studies of coal bed methane content in the west coal mining area of Qinshui Basin

The coal bed methane content(CBMC)in the west mining area of Jincheng coalfield,southeastern Qjnshui Basin,is studied based on seismic data and well-logs together with laboratory measurements.The results show that the Shuey approximation has better adaptability according to the Zoeppritz equation result;the designed fold number for an ordinary seismic data is sufficient for post-stack data but insufficient for pre-stack data regarding the signal to noise ratio(SNR).Therefore a larger grid analysis was created in order to improve the SNR.The velocity field created by logging is better than that created by stack velocity in both accuracy and effectiveness.A reasonable distribution of the amplitude versus offset(AVO)attributes can be facilitated by taking the AVO response from logging as a standard for calibrating the amplitude distribution.Some AVO attributes have a close relationship with CBMC.The worst attribute is polarization magnitude,for which the correlation coefficient is 0.308;and the best attribute is the polarization product from intercept,of which the correlation coefficient is-0.8136.CBMC predicted by AVO attributes is better overall than that predicted by direct interpolation of CBMC;the validation error of the former is 14.47%,which is lower than that of the latter 23.30%.CBMC of this area ranges from2.5 m^3/t to 22 m^3/t.Most CBMC in the syncline is over 10m^3/t,but it is below 10m^3/t in the anticline;on the whole,CBMC in the syncline is higher than that in anticline.

Some parameters of coal methane system that cause very slow release of methane from virgin coal beds(CBM)

In some worldwide hard coal basins recovery of methane from virgin coal beds is difficult. In general,mentioned difficulties are related to geo-mechanical, petrographical and physical-chemical properties of coals in question, occurring for example in the Bowen Basin(Australia) or the Upper Silesian Coal Basin(Poland). Among numerous properties and parameters, the following are very essential: susceptibility of coal beds to deformation connected with coal stress state change and contemporary shrinkage of the coal matrix during methane desorption. Those adverse geo-mechanical and physical-chemical effects are accompanied by essential change of the porous coal structure, which under these disadvantageous conditions is very complex. This study aims to show difficulties, which occur in phase of recognition of the methane-reach coal deposit. Volume absorbed methane(not surface adsorbed) in sub-micropores having minimal size comparable with gas molecule diameter must possess energy allowing separation of the nodes and methane release to micropores.

Estimation of correction coefficients for measured coal bed methane contents

Improving the accuracy and precision of coal bed methane(CBM) estimates requires correction of older data from older coal exploration surveys to newer standards.Three methods,the depth gradient method,the contour aerial weight method,and the well-point aerial weight method,were used to estimate the correction coefficient required to predict CBM gas content from coal exploration data.The data from the Nos.3 and 15 coal seams provided the coal exploration data while the CBM exploration stages within the X1 well block located in the southern part of the Qinshui Basin provided the data obtained using newer standards.The results show the correction coefficients obtained from the two aerial weight methods are similar in value but lower than the one obtained from the depth gradient method.The three methods provide similar results for the Nos.3 and 15 seams in that the correction factor is lower for the former seam.The results from the depth gradient method taken together with the coal seam burial depth and the coal rank suggest that variations in the correction factor increase linearly along with coal seam burial depth and coal rank.The correlation obtained can be applied to exploration and the evaluation of coal bed gas resources located in coalfields.

A Comprehensive Appraisal on the Characteristics of Coal-Bed Methane Reservoir in Turpan-Hami Basin

The rich coal-bed methane resources in the Turpan-Hami Basin are mainly located in the Shisanjianfang,Hami,Shanshan,Sha'erhu,Kekeya,Kerjian,Aidinghu inclines and the Dananhu coal-bed methane reservoirs. The big-ger coal-bed reservoirs are sitting at a depth of less than 1500 m. The coalbed methane generation,storage and confin-ing conditions of the Turpan-Hami basin can be indicated by eight key parameters. They are coal-bed thickness,coal rank,missing period,permeability,Langmuir volume,rock covering ability,structural confinement and hydrodynamic sealing environment. These parameters constitute a comprehensive appraisal index system of the coal-bed methane res-ervoir characteristics of the Turpan-Hami basin. In these parameters,the missing period of coal-bed methane is indi-cated by a stratum missing intensity factor. It reflects the relative exposure period of coal series. The results of a fuzzy comprehensive judgment showed that the Shisanjianfang coal-bed methane reservoir has the best prospects for exploita-tion and the Sha'erhu,Shanshan,Hami coal-bed methane reservoirs are next in line.

The control of coal mine gas and coordinated exploitation of coal bed methane in China

Based on the characteristics of the coalfield geology and the distribution of coalbed methane (CBM) in China,the geological conditions for exploiting the CBM and drainingthe coal mine gas were analyzed,as well as the characteristics of CBM production.Bycomparing the current situation of CBM exploitation in China with that in the United States,the current technology and characteristics of the CBM exploitation in China were summarizedand the major technical problems of coal mine gas control and CBM exploitationanalyzed.It was emphasized that the CBM exploitation in China should adopt the coalmine gas drainage method coordinated with coal mine exploitation as the main model.Itwas proposed that coal mine gas control should be coordinated with coal mine gas exploitation.The technical countermeasure should be integrating the exploitation of coal andCBM and draining gas before coal mining.

Influences of Temperature and Coal Particle Size on the Flash Pyrolysis of Coal in a Fast-entrained Bed

The experiments on the flash pyrolysis of a lignite were carried out in a fast-entrained bed reactor as a basic study on a so-called ＇ coal topping process＇. The investigation focused on the effects of pyrolysis temperature and coal particle size on the product distribution and composition. The experimental results show that an increase in the pyrolysis temperature results in a higher yield of gaseous products while a larger particle size leads to a decrease of the liquid yield. An optimum temperature for the liquid yield was found to be 650℃. A certain amount of phenol groups was found in the liquid products, which may be used to produce high-valued fine chemicals. The FTIR analyses of the coal and chars show that aliphatic structures in the chars are gradually replaced by aromatic structures with the increasing of pyrolysis temperature and coal particle size. The results of this study provide fundamental data and optimal conditions to maximize light oils yields for the coal topping process.

Theories and techniques of coal bed methane control in China

Coal bed methane control with low permeability is a hot issue at present. The current status of coal bed methane control in China is introduced. The government-support policies on coal bed methane control are presented. This paper proposes the theories of methane control in depressurized mining, including methane extraction in depressurized mining, simultaneous mining technique of coal and methane without coal pillar, and circular overlying zone for high-efficiency methane extraction in coal seams with low permeability. The techniques of methane control and related instruments and equipments in China are introduced. On this basis, the problems related to coal bed methane control are addressed and further studies are pointed out.

Productivity enhancement in multilayered coalbed methane reservoirs by radial borehole fracturing

Coalbed methane(CBM)is an important unconventional natural gas.Exploitation of multilayered CBM reservoir is still facing the challenge of low production rate.Radial borehole fracturing,which integrates radial jet drilling and hydraulic fracturing,is expected to create complex fracture networks in multilayers and enhance CBM recovery.The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanisms and efficacy of radial borehole fracturing in increasing CBM production in multiple layers.First,a two-phase flow and multi-scale 3 D fracture network including radial laterals,hydraulic fractures and face/butt cleats model is established,and embedded discrete fracture model(EDFM)is applied to handle the complex fracture networks.Then,effects of natural-fracture nonuniform distribution are investigated to show the advantages of targeted stimulation for radial borehole fracturing.Finally,two field CBM wells located in eastern Yunnan-western Guizhou,China were presented to illuminate the stimulation efficiency by radial borehole fracturing.The results indicated that compared with vertical well fracturing,radial borehole fracturing can achieve higher gas/water daily production rate and cumulative gas/water production,approximately 2 times higher.Targeted communications to cleats and sweet spots and flexibility in designing radial borehole parameters in different layers so as to increase fracture-network complexity and connectivity are the major reasons for production enhancement of radial borehole fracturing.Furthermore,the integration of geology-engineering is vital for the decision of radial borehole fracturing designing scheme.The key findings of this paper could provide useful insights towards understanding the capability of radial borehole fracturing in developing CBM and coal-measure gas in multiple-thin layers.

Spectral decomposition method for predicting magmatic intrusion into a coal bed

Accurate prediction of magmatic intrusion into a coal bed is illustrated using the method of seismic spectral decomposition.The characteristics of coal seismic reflections are first analyzed and the effect of variable time windows and domain frequencies on the spectral decomposition are examined.The higher domain frequency of coal bed reflections using the narrower STFT time window,or the smaller ST scale factor,are acceptable.When magmatic rock intrudes from the bottom of the coal bed the domain frequency of the reflections is decreased slightly,the frequency bandwidth is narrowed correspondingly,and the response from spectral decomposition is significantly reduced.Intrusion by a very thin magmatic rock gives a spectral decomposition response that is just slightly less than what is seen from a normal coal bed.Results from an actual mining area were used to validate the method.Predicting the boundary of magmatic intrusions with the method discussed herein was highly accurate and has been validated by observations from underground mining.

CO_2 –H_2O–coal interaction of CO_2 storage in coal beds

In order to study the physical and chemical reaction after CO2 injected into coal beds at different condition.The physical and chemistry reaction among CO2,H2O and coal was studied,and the influence on permeability and porosity of coal beds was carried out.The experimental method was used,so did the basic theory of mineralogy,coal petrology,geochemistry,analytical geochemistry and physical chemistry.In this experiment,the changes of mineral and permeability of coal and water quality were observed through CO2 solution reacting with different coal samples.The differences could be found out by comparing the properties and microcrystalline structure before and after the reaction.There are three results were carried out:First,the content of carbonate in coal beds decreases because of the dissolution reaction between carbonate minerals and CO2 solution,and precipitation is formed by reaction of chlorite and orthoclase.Second,the result that permeability and porosity of coal beds are improved after the reaction is proposed.Third,the initial permeability of different coal samples plays a great role on the reaction,and the improvement of permeability is not obvious in the samples which have too low or too high permeability,and the improvement is good in medium permeability(0.2–3 mD).

Accumulation of coal-bed gas in the Wangying-Liujia area of the Fuxin basin

The gas enrichment conditions in the Fuxin basin are compared to those of the Powder River basin.The coal bed depth,the gas content,the individual coal bed layer thickness,and the overall structure thickness of the Powder River basin in the U.S.were examined.The main factors affecting gas enrichment were examined.These factors include the coal-forming environment,the gas sources,the geological structure,the presence of magmatic activity,and the local hydrology.The coal-bed gas enrichment area in the Wangying-Liujia block of the Fuxin basin is then discussed by analogy.A hydrodynamic-force/dike-plugging model based on a magma fractured bed is proposed to explain the gas enrichment in this part of the Fuxin basin.High gas production is predicted in areas having similar conditions.This work will aid future coal-bed gas exploration and development.

Research regarding coal-bed wellbore stability based on a discrete element model

Wellbore instability is a key problem restricting efficient production of coal-bed methane. In order to perform thorough and systematic research regarding coal-bed wellbore stability problems, a new discrete element model which fully considers the features of cleat coal-beds is established based on the Kirsch equation. With this model, the safe pipe tripping speed, drilling fluid density window and coal- bed collapse/fracture pressure are determined; in addition, the relationships between pipe tripping speed and pipe size, cleat size, etc. and wellbore stability are analyzed in the coal-bed drilling and pipe tripping processes. The case studies show the following results： the wellbore collapses （collapse pressure： 4.33 MPa） or fractures （fracture pressure： 12.7 MPa） in certain directions as a result of swab or surge pressure when the pipe tripping speed is higher than a certain value; the cleat face size has a great influence on wellbore stability, and if the drilling fluid pressure is too low, the wellbore is prone to collapse when the ratio of the face cleat size to butt cleat size is reduced; however, if the drilling fluid pressure is high enough, the butt cleat size has no influence on the wellbore fracture; the factors influencing coal-bed stability include the movement length, pipe size, borehole size.

Study on the emission characteristics of nitrogen oxides with coal combustion in pressurized fluidized bed

Nitrogen oxides are one of the most significant pollution sources during coal combustion. This experimental study was conducted in a 15 kWth lab-scale pressurized fluidized bed (inner diameter = 81-100 mm, H = 2100 mm) firing with bituminous coals. The effects of operating parameters, including bed temperature (800℃-900℃), operating pressure (0.1-0.4 MPa), excess air level (16%-30%) and flow pattern on NOX and N2O emissions were systematically studied during the tests. During each test the interaction effects of all the operating parameters were properly controlled. The results show that most operating parameters have an opposite effect on NOX and N2O emissions, and the N2O emissions mainly depend on the bed temperature. Increasing the operating pressure can significantly suppress the fuel-N conversion to NOX but enhance its conversion to N2O. With the rise of the excess air level and fluidization number, NOX emissions grow distinctly while N2O emissions remain almost unchanged. Total nitrogen oxide emissions increase with the bed temperature while decrease with the operating pressure.

Experimental Study of Integrated Ebullated-bed and Fixed-bed for Hydrotreating Mid-Low Temperature Coal Tar to Clean Fuel

A new hydrotreating technology integrating the ebullated-bed(EB) and the fixed-bed(FB) hydrogenation was proposed to investigate the efficiency for hydrotreating mid- low-temperature coal tar to clean fuel, and multiple tests at the bench scale were carried out. The results showed that the distillates obtained from EB reactors were greatly upgraded and could meet the requirements of FB unit without discarding any tail oil. The naphtha produced from FB reactors could be fed to the catalytic reforming unit, while a high quality diesel was also obtained. The unconverted oil(UCO) could be further hydrocracked to clean fuel. It is found that the removal of impurities from the coal tar oil is related with the molecular aggregation structure and composition of the coal tar. Application of the integrated hydrotreating technology to the hightemperature coal tar processing demonstrated that more than half of heavy components could be effectively upgraded.

Simulation Study on Influence of Steam on Co-gasification of Biomass and Coal in a Fluidized Bed

生物质与煤共气化可解决生物质不易稳定流化以及气化气焦油含量高的问题。文中利用Aspen Plus软件对流化床生物质与煤共气化进行模拟。为了更真实地反映流化床内的实际反应情况，采用嵌入 FORTRAN 气化反应动力学及流体动力学子程序的连续搅拌釜式反应器来代替惯用的Gibbs反应器，结果表明该模型的模拟值与试验值吻合较好。利用灵敏度分析功能研究了水蒸气/物料质量比（S/F）对产气组分、热值和气化效率等参数的影响，结果表明：增大水蒸气与物料质量比有利于氢气产率的提高，当S/F值取0.35~0.45时，气化效率和产气热值较高。

Evaluation of coal bed methane content using BET adsorption isotherm equation

Coal bed methane is unconventional raw natural gas stored in coal seam with considerable reserves in China.In recent years,as the coal bed methane production,the safety and the use of resources have been paid more attentions.Evaluating coal bed methane content is an urgent problem.A BET adsorption isotherm equation is used to process the experimental data.The various parameters of BET equation under different temperatures are obtained;a theoretical gas content correction factor is proposed,and an evaluation method of actual coal bed methane is established.