Control Mechanism of Microbial Degradation on the Physical Properties of a Coal Reservoir

Abstract

This study addressed the effect of microbial methane production on the physical properties of a coal reservoir. Two kinds of coal samples before and after anaerobic degradation were tested by a low-temperature liquid nitrogen adsorption test and an isothermal adsorption and diffusion coefficient test. The influence of the characteristics of microbial gas production on the coal physical properties was analyzed. Due to the differences in the physical properties of the coal samples, the effect of microbial production is different. Coal is a macromolecular organic compound, mainly aromatic and lignin derivatives, containing carbon and nitrogen sources that can be used by microorganisms. Microorganisms secrete extracellular enzymes to decompose covalent bonds and functional groups of macromolecules in coal and eventually produce methane, which will change the physical properties of coal. It was found that microbial anaerobic degradation could increase the content of coalbed methane, change the pore structure of coal, reduce the fractal dimension of the coal surface and smooth the coal surface. At the same time, microbial degradation has changed the physical properties of coal reservoirs to some extent, increased the diffusion of coal reservoirs and improved the pore connectivity of coal reservoirs, which provides more of a scientific basis for the development of coalbed methane.