Modes of Shale-Gas Enrichment Controlled by Tectonic Evolution

The typical characteristics of shale gas and the enrichment differences show that some shale gases are insufficiently explained by the existing continuous enrichment mode. These shale gases include the Wufeng–Longmaxi shale gas in the Jiaoshiba and Youyang Blocks, the Lewis shale gas in the San Juan Basin. Further analysis reveals three static subsystems（hydrocarbon source rock, gas reservoirs and seal formations） and four dynamic subsystems（tectonic evolution, sedimentary sequence, diagenetic evolution and hydrocarbon-generation history） in shale-gas enrichment systems. Tectonic evolution drives the dynamic operation of the whole shale-gas enrichment system. The shale-gas enrichment modes controlled by tectonic evolution are classifiable into three groups and six subgroups. Group I modes are characterized by tectonically controlled hydrocarbon source rock, and include continuous in-situ biogenic shale gas（Ⅰ_1） and continuous in-situ thermogenic shale gas（Ⅰ_2）. Group Ⅱ modes are characterized by tectonically controlled gas reservoirs, and include anticline-controlled reservoir enrichment（Ⅱ_1） and fracture-controlled reservoir enrichment（Ⅱ_2）. Group Ⅲ modes possess tectonically controlled seal formations, and include faulted leakage enrichment（Ⅲ_1） and eroded residual enrichment（Ⅲ_2）. In terms of quantity and exploitation potential, Ⅰ_1 and Ⅰ_2 are the best shale-gas enrichment modes, followed by Ⅱ_1 and Ⅱ_2. The least effective modes are Ⅲ_1 and Ⅲ_2. The categorization provides a different perspective for deep shale-gas exploration.

Modeling of Liquid Level and Bubble Behavior in Vacuum Chamber of RH Process

In the Ruhrstahl-Heraeus （RH） refining process, liquid steel flow pattern in a ladle is controlled by the fluid flow behavior in the vacuum chamber. Potassium chloride solution and NaOH solution saturated with CO2 were respectively used as a tracer to investigate the liquid and gas flow behaviors in the vacuum chamber. Principal compo nent and comparative analysis were made to show the factors controlling mixing and circulation flow rate. The liquid level and bubble behavior in the vacuum chamber greatly affect fluid flow in RH process. Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of liquid steel level, gas flow rate, bubble residence time, and gas injection mode on mixing, decarburization, and void fraction. The results indicate that the mixing process can be divided into three regions： the flow rate affected zone, the concentration gradient-affected zone, and their combination. The liquid steel level in the vacuum chamber of 300 mm is a critical point in the decarburization transition. For liquid level lower than 300 mm, liquid steel circulation controls decarburization, while for liquid level higher than 300mm, bubble behavior is the main controlling factor. During the RH process, it is recommended to use the concentrated bubble injection mode for low gas flow rates and the uniform bubble injection mode for high gas flow rates.

Simulation of gas-solid flow in sinter vertical cooling furnace

The velocity distribution of sinter and gas in vertical cooling furnace(VCF)has an important influence on gas-solid heat transfer.Based on the slot model of single hopper in the VCF of Meishan Iron and Steel Co.,Ltd.,the velocity and particle size distribution of sinter and the velocity and pressure distribution of gas were studied using a computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method model to obtain the gas-solid flow rule in the VCF.The results showed that the velocity of sinter near the wall and the edge of vent cowl was lower than that in the rest of the same plane.Therefore,the rectangular section of the vertical cooling furnace can be divided into a quasi-static zone,a plug flow zone and a convergent flow zone according to the flow velocity of the sinter.The average particle size and the void fraction of sinter bed were distributed in"W"and"V"shape along the width direction,respectively.The distribution of gas velocity in the furnace cavity was uneven,and the high-velocity area gradually changed from the center to the edge of the furnace cavity with the rise of gas.Reducing the ratio of edge to center gas flow from 2.7∶1 to 0.7∶1 could improve the gas velocity,but could not change the gas velocity distribution.The gas velocity distribution was more affected by the average particle size distribution of the sinter bed.It was suggested that measures need be taken to adjust it to improve the gas velocity distribution in the VCF.