Coal Anisotropic Sorption and Permeability: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Knowledge of the bedding plane properties of coal seams is essential for the coalbed gas production because of their great influence on the inner flow characteristics and sorption features of gas and water. In this study, an experimental study on the anisotropic gas adsorption–desorption and permeability of coal is presented. The results show that during the adsorption–desorption process, an increase in the bedding plane angle of the specimen expands the length and area of the contact surface, thereby increasing the speed and quantity of adsorption and desorption. With an increase in the bedding angle, the number of pores and cracks was found to increase together with the volumetric strain. The evolution of permeability of coal heavily depended on stress–strain stages. The permeability decreased with the increase of stress at the initial compaction and elastic deformation stages, while it increased with the increase of stress at the stages of strain-hardening, softening and residual strength. Initial permeability increased with increasing bedding angle.