Influences of supercritical carbon dioxide fluid on pore morphology of various rank coals: A review

Abstract

Supercritical carbon dioxide is known to change the pore structure of coals and thus affect their carbon dioxide sequestration capacity. In this study, supercritical carbon dioxide dependence of pore morphology of coals was reviewed. Results indicated that the micropore surface area and volume of dry coals varied between –20% and 20% after exposure to supercritical carbon dioxide. Changes in the micropore size distribution of dry coals after supercritical carbon dioxide exposure were not found to be significant; however, the change in meso- and macropores with diameter of 2–8 nm was observed to be significant. Supercritical carbon dioxide and H2O exposure mainly influenced pores with diameters of 0.4–0.7, 0.7–0.9 and 2–8 nm. The variation in the pore fractal dimensions of the coals ranged from –0.5% to 0.5% after supercritical carbon dioxide exposure. Furthermore, the dependence of supercritical carbon dioxide on the pore structure of coals relies on the coal rank. The change in the pore structure of the coals after supercritical carbon dioxide exposure was observed to be related to the following aspects. First, supercritical carbon dioxide induced swelling in coal matrix, thus reducing the pore surface area and volume of the coal matrix and compressing the cleat system. Next, the extraction of supercritical carbon dioxide mobilised the small organic molecules dispersed in the coal matrix; this increased the pore volume, particularly of micropores. Finally, the mineral dissolution/precipitation also changed the pore structure of the coals. To further examine supercritical carbon dioxide dependence of coal pore morphology, the following studies should be performed. The characterisation of the chemical and pore structure of coals should be combined with existing coal structure models to account for the mechanism of supercritical carbon dioxide changing the pore structure of coals. Combination of physical experiments and numerical simulations is recommended to predict the changes in porosity and permeability of coals due to long-term carbon dioxide sequestration.