Geofluids
Volume 2018 (2018), Article ID 6939827, 11 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/6939827

Research Article

Analysis of Coal Swelling Deformation Caused by Carbon Dioxide Adsorption Based on X-Ray Computed Tomography

Xiangrong Nie,1,2 Junbin Chen,1,2 Yi Cao,1,2 Diguang Gong,1,2 and Hao Deng¹

¹College of Petroleum Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China
²Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Well Stability and Fluid & Rock Mechanics in Oil and Gas Reservoirs, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China

Correspondence should be addressed to Xiangrong Nie; nxrcup@163.com

Received 3 May 2018; Revised 10 July 2018; Accepted 1 August 2018; Published 16 September 2018

Academic Editor: Umberta Tinivella

Copyright © 2018 Xiangrong Nie et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

The geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide by coal beds leads to the swelling deformation of coal. In order to investigate the swelling deformation characteristics at the microscopic scale, X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning technology was used. X-ray CT scanning technology detects the internal structure, deformation, and porosity of coal at different gas pressures. Results show that swelling deformation is nonuniform, which is caused by the heterogeneity of the coal structure. Through quantitative measurement of the distance between fractures and pseudocolor processing of CT images, we observed that fractures gradually close with the increase of adsorption pressure. As adsorption pressure increases, the porosity of coal decreases, and the density of coal increases.

1. Introduction

The geologic storage of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is expected to be an effective tool to reduce carbon emissions [1]. Coal beds may provide a geological storage CO₂. CO₂ injected into coal beds enhances coal bed methane (CBM), taking advantage of competitive adsorption. CO₂ geological storage-enhanced coal bed methane recovery (CO₂-ECBM) is a new technology that has been proposed to implement CO₂ storage in coal beds and also enhance the recovery of CBM [2, 3]. However, the injection capacity and storage potential of CO₂ in coal beds will decrease as a result of coal swelling deformation [4–6]. Thus, it is necessary to study the coal swelling deformation caused by CO₂.

Multiple studies have been performed examining coal swelling deformation be divided into direct methods and indirect methods. Direct methods include the dilatometer, the stress meter, and the optical. Briggs and Sinha [7], Reucroft and Patel, Reucroft and Sethuraman [8, 9], and Walker et al. [10] used the dilatometer method, which involves placing a probe at the top of a coal sample, to study the volumetric strain of lignite, subbituminous coal, and bituminous coal. Moffat and Weale [11], Harpalani and Schraufnagel [12], Levine [13], St. George and Barakat [14], Cui et al. [15], Majewska and Zietek [16], and Zarebska and Ceglarska-Stefanska [17] used the stress meter to measure the volumetric strain of coal samples. The stress method is a common method that monitors the change in sample length by placing a stress meter on the surface of a sample. Recent studies have utilized the optical method to measure the volumetric strain [18–23]. The optical method involves photographing samples in a transparent high-pressure chamber using a high-precision digital camera. Indirect methods include calculations or measurements of parameters other than cola deformation. Siemons and Busch [24] and Romanov and Soong [25] studied the expansion of coal indirectly by measuring the change of free volume in a sample silo.

While previous studies have focused on swelling deformation characteristics of coal at the macro level, there is little understanding of internal swelling deformation at the micro level. Here, X-ray CT scanning technology was used to obtain a three-dimensional porous microstructure of coal in a nondestructive manner [26–28]. A combination of X-ray CT and special image analysis software was used to conduct coal swelling deformation tests. This offers a direct method for measuring swelling deformation, providing a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in coal deformation.

2. Methods

2.1. Materials

Coal samples for this study were from the Middle Jurassic Yan’an Formation in Ordos Basin, China. The maximum reflectance value of vitrinite is 0.43%. The contents of vitrinite, inertinite, exinite, and minerals are 22.8%, 68.1%, 2.2%, and 6.9%, respectively. Core samples were collected using a hand-operated electric drill (HOED). The complete core preparation process is shown in Figure 1. It is important to note the relation between the cording direction and the coal bed. The top and the bottom of the coal samples were smoothed to achieve parallel surfaces. Coal samples had lengths of 50 mm and diameters of 25 mm.

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of coal sample preparation.

2.2. Experimental Apparatus

The experimental apparatus developed by the Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Advanced Stimulation Technology for Oil & Gas Reservoirs, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an, China, shown in Figure 2, consists mainly of the following devices. (1) The X-ray CT (Xradia 510 Versa; Zeiss, Germany) includes an X-ray source, a cavity, and a detector. The energy of the X-ray has a range of 30 to 160 kV and can be adjusted until a high-resolution CT image is obtained. The cavity (Haian; 13.79 MPa; 150°C) is a transparent container that is fixed on an adjustable turntable. The detector is capable of reaching to 2048 × 2048 pixels (unique spatial resolution of <70 nm). In this study, the X-ray source was set to 90 kV with a resolution of 9.5 μm. (2) Stainless-steel cylinders (0–70 MPa; 150°C; 1000 mL; Huaan, China) were used as gas cells to store and deliver CO₂. (3) A vacuum pump was used in the cavity to ensure that the results were not affected by other gases. (4) An injection pump (ISCO, flow range, 0.001–60 mL/min; flow accuracy, 0.5%; pressure range, 0–68.96 MPa; pressure accuracy, 0.1%) was used to displace CO₂. (5) A pressure sensor was used to monitor the pressure of the cavity. (6) The interface board is used to accept signals and pass signals to the computer.

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of the experimental apparatus.

2.3. Experimental Procedures

The swelling deformation of coal detected by X-ray CT was conducted using the following method.

(1)The system was set up as shown in Figure 2.(2)High-purity CO₂ was injected into the system to ensure it was properly sealed.(3)The coal sample was mounted in the cavity. The vacuum pump was run for 24 hours to ensure no air remained in the system.(4)The scan area and layer number was set up as in Figure 3. The central region of the core sample was used as the scanning area with a length of 24.80 mm. In order to study the internal deformation of coal after adsorption of CO₂, 496 scanning slices were designed in the scanning area. The distance between two slices was 0.05 mm.(5)The coal sample was then imaged by X-ray CT when the air in the system is exhausted.(6)The CO₂ was injected at a 0.1 mL/min flow rate until the pressure of the cavity reached 0.5 MPa. To allow complete adsorption of the CO₂, the coal sample was imaged by X-ray CT again at 24 h intervals [29].(7)The CO₂ was continuously injected into the cavity until the pressure of the cavity reached 1.0 MPa, 1.5 MPa, 2.0 MPa, and 2.5 MPa. The sample was then imaged again as in step 5.

(a)

(b)

Figure 3: The scan design of the coal sample. (a) Scan area; (b) scan layers.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Coal Structure

By comparing the SEM and tomographic images, the microstructure of coal can be observed clearly at the micron scale (Figure 4). The coal matrix is composed mainly of vitrinite, which contains a large number of micropores. Due to the layer structure and the distribution and density of the minerals, the microstructure of the coal is significantly deformed by CO₂ adsorption. Figure 4 describes the coal structure, which can be divided into five regions (A–E) prior to deformation. (1) Region A is the matrix pore region. Image processing software colors the pores and fractures red. Clay minerals are crystallized in layers. There exist a large number of nanoscale pores with adsorption capacity in clay minerals. (2) Region B is the clay mineral cluster region. The CT scan showed multiple white clusters, indicating where the density was significantly greater than that of the coal matrix. (3) Region C is a fracture filled with clay minerals. This region has a white stripe in a certain direction in the CT image, with a length of several millimeters, and the density is significantly greater than the coal matrix. (4) Region D is the fracture region. A tension fracture provides a good channel for gas flowing. (5) Region E is the vitrinite region. The CT image of this region is uniform and dark. This region contains a large number of micropores. The density of this area is smaller than the density of Region B with good homogeneity.

Figure 4: CT images and SEM images of coal in different regions.

3.2. Quantifying Strain in Coal under Different Adsorption Pressures

A novel method was designed to quantify the strain caused by the adsorption of CO₂. As seen in Figure 5, nine layers were selected from the 496 layers available in the scan area (Figure 5(a)). CT scan results showed multiple white spots on the coal layer surface, which indicate impure minerals. In layer M092, for example (Figure 5(b)), two small but distinct clay mineral particles were used as markers. Object Research Systems (ORS) Visual 1.5.1 software was used to measure the distance between the two markers.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 5: Schematic diagram of strain measurement.

The distance () between the two markers was measured (Figure 5(c)). CO₂ was then injected into the cavity, and the change in distance caused by the deformation () was measured (Figure 5(d)). The strain () observed in the coal sample was obtained by

Based on (1), the strain was calculated at different cavity pressures. As shown in Table 1, the strain observed in each layer varied under the same adsorption pressures. This is due to the variable composition of each layer and their differing abilities to adsorb CO₂. The results indicate that the expansion deformation of each layer varies.

Table 1: The strain of coal layer under different pressures.

Pressure (MPa)
Strain (10⁻⁴)

M001
M036
M092
M161
M189
M265
M343
M382
M496
Average

0.5
28.18
28.78
27.52
28.34
28.82
28.22
28.16
27.44
27.84
28.14

1.0
43.06
42.16
43.19
43.43
42.71
42.31
43.52
42.71
41.99
42.75

1.5
48.66
47.81
47.65
47.25
48.35
48.35
47.41
47.82
47.82
47.81

2.0
53.12
52.14
51.87
53.28
52.83
52.52
53.07
52.81
53.17
52.71

2.5
55.82
54.18
53.98
54.21
54.12
54.18
53.73
55.28
55.21
54.36

Previous studies showed that coal swells after CO₂ adsorption [29]. We observed that at a microscopic scale, swelling occurs in a nonuniform manner. Depending on the composition of the layer, different levels of strain are observed, resulting in shear failure in the sample and a reduction in strength. Therefore, when studying the mechanical properties of coal influenced by CO₂ adsorption, it is recommended that the deformation be considered at a microscopic scale.

In order to quantify the relationship between the adsorption pressure and strain, the mean value of strain for the nine layers was calculated. The relationship between the adsorption pressure and strain is shown in Figure 6. The adsorption capacity of coal increased with adsorption pressure, leading to expansion. As the pressure rises and the coal reaches its adsorption capacity, the strain stabilizes.

Figure 6: The average strain of the coal sample under different pressures.

3.3. Fracture Size under Different Adsorption Pressures

The fracture volume of coal is compressed due to the swelling deformation of the matrix after adsorption of CO₂, which was obtained through speculation in previous studies. CT scan experiments were designed in order to clearly observe the development of fractures due to CO₂ adsorption. As shown in Figure 7, this method records the geometrical dimensions of the fractures in the xy, yz, and xz sections under different adsorption pressures. The size of the fracture in the same position was measured continuously under different adsorption pressures. The experimental results are shown in Figures 8–10.

Figure 7: Fracture size measurement design.

(a) 0 MPa

(b) 0.5 MPa

(c) 1.0 MPa

(d) 1.5 MPa

(e) 2.0 MPa

(f) 2.5 MPa

Figure 8: CT images of fracture size (xy section).

(a) 0 MPa

(b) 0.5 MPa

(c) 1.0 MPa

(d) 1.5 MPa

(e) 2.0 MPa

(f) 2.5 MPa

Figure 9: CT images of fracture size (xz section).

(a) 0 MPa

(b) 0.5 MPa

(c) 1.0 MPa

(d) 1.5 MPa

(e) 2.0 MPa

(f) 2.5 MPa

Figure 10: CT images of fracture size (yz section).

With the exception of a single point in Figures 8–10, the size of the fracture decreased with increasing adsorption pressure. Coal is a complex porous medium composed of a matrix and fracture space of cutting coal matrix. The coal matrix is linked by the rock bride. There is a large amount of pore space in the coal matrix, which provides sufficient places for coal to absorb CO₂. The expansion and deformation of the coal matrix resulting from CO₂ adsorption affect the volume of the fracture in the coal, as shown in Figure 11. Figure 9 shows a complex fracture (marked by a yellow circle) that produced an uneven deformation as a result of local shear stress. The general trend, however, is that fracture size decreases with increasing adsorption pressure.

Figure 11: Expansion deformation of coal after adsorbing CO₂.

In order to more clearly display the development of fractures, ORS Visual software was used to digitize the scanning coal samples. As shown in Figure 12, the matrix of the coal sample is stripped off, and only the fracture is retained.

Figure 12: Fracture extraction in CT image.

In order to compare and analyze the characteristics of fracture size under different adsorption pressures, the fracture is processed with pseudocolor processing. The results of processing are shown in Figure 13. The color scale changes from blue to red, indicating that the fracture size increases gradually. As the adsorption pressure increases, the fracture color gradually changes from dark to light green, indicating that the fracture is closed gradually. This is due to the expansion caused by CO₂ adsorption, which leads to compression in some regions. The red line in Figure 13 shows that as adsorption pressure increases, the fracture gradually disappears.

Figure 13: Characteristics of fracture evolution based on CT pseudocolor images.

3.4. Porosity of Coal under Different Adsorption Pressures

Quantifying the porosity of coal can be used to evaluate carbon sequestration capacity. Mercury injection is useful to measure the initial porosity; however, it is not appropriate to use after CO₂ adsorption. CT scanning technology is not only capable to measuring porosity under different adsorption pressures but can also accurately measuring porosity under different adsorption pressures but can also accurately measure the change in pore microstructure after CO₂ adsorption. The porosity of the coal sample was 31.36% without CO₂ adsorption, which was obtained through the NMR (MiniMR-HTHP; Zeiss, Germany) method [30, 31]. To calculate the porosity under different adsorption pressures, CT images need to be treated with binarization. The key parameter of binarization processing is the selection of the binarization threshold. To obtain an accurate binarization threshold, a CT scan of the coal sample was performed to obtain the grayscale. The grayscale image was ten treated by binarization processing at different thresholds, and the porosity under different thresholds was calculated. The results showed that the porosity of coal was 31.36%, which was the same value obtained via the NMR method when the threshold value was 0.006. Therefore, the binarization threshold is set to 0.006 for gray image processing under different adsorption pressures. Calculated results of porosity under different adsorption pressures are shown in Figure 14. As adsorption pressure increased, porosity decreased.

Figure 14: Porosity change of coal samples under different pressures.

Figure 15 shows the mechanism of porosity reduction. The coal can be described by the dual medium of matrix and fracture. Once CO₂ is injected into the core sample, it begins to enter the fracture through laminar flow. After a period of time, CO₂ begins to diffuse into the small pores in the matrix. CO₂ is transported to the coal matrix and gradually adsorbed onto the surface. CO₂ adsorption on the microporous surface of coal matrix induced swelling of the matrix, which then compresses the fractures and pores. At the same time, the swelling of the coal matrix increases the volume of the coal, which affects the porosity.

Figure 15: Schematic diagram of porosity reduction.

3.5. Coal Density under Different Adsorption Pressures

The extrusion deformation and swelling deformation of the internal structure of the coal cause changes in density. So the microscopic deformation is reflected in the change of coal density. From the CT imaging principle, the X-ray attenuation coefficient increases with the increase of the density of the monitored object. As the attenuation coefficient increases, the color of the CT image lightens. CT images under different adsorption pressures are shown in Figure 16. The images show that the composition of the coal is extremely nonuniform. Generally, coal density increased with increasing adsorption pressure, resulting from a nonuniform extrusion.

Figure 16: CT images of coal under different adsorption pressures.

The coal density increases with adsorption pressure increasing. The main reason for the increase of coal density is the nonuniform extrusion deformation of coal internal. The main reason for the decrease of coal density is the expansion deformation of coal internal. It can be clearly seen from Figure 16 that the coal density generally increases with the increase of adsorption pressure, which is because the leading role is extrusion deformation.

4. Conclusion

CO₂ injected into the coal bed causes matrix swelling, which severely limits the CO₂’s storage potential. Previous studies have hypothesized that matrix expansion leads to porosity and fracture closure, resulting in a decrease in porosity. However, this assumption has not been directly observed. Here, X-ray CT was used to directly observe the internal variation in the characteristics of coal caused by CO₂ adsorption. The main conclusions drawn in this study are as follows.

(1)Coal is heterogeneous, containing a small amount of clay minerals. This was observed through a combination of CT scanning grayscale images and SEM images. The structure of the coal can be divided into five regions: the matrix pore region, the clay mineral cluster region, the fracture filled with clay mineral region, the fracture region, and the vitrinite region.(2)Internal swelling deformation at different positions was studied quantitatively using X-ray CT scans, which revealed a high heterogeneity. Furthermore, this nonuniform swelling changes the stress state of the coal, reducing its mechanical strength.(3)Swelling increases with increased adsorption pressure, leading to the gradual closure of fractures.(4)Swelling of the coal matrix is due to CO₂ absorption, which compresses the volume of pores and fractures. At the same time, the matrix swelling increases the sample volume. These factors contribute to the decreasing porosity of the coal sample.(5)Grayscale images obtained via X-ray CT directly reflect the internal changes of coal after CO₂ adsorption. The density of the coal sample increased as the sample adsorbed CO₂.

Data Availability

The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

This paper is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Program no. 51674197), Science and Technology Research Development Plan Project of Shaanxi Province, China, (Program no. 2016GY-162), and Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China (Program no. 2018JQ4033). The authors would like to express their appreciation to the other members of the laboratory for the help provided in the experiments and language editing.

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