Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Investigation of Pore Structure and Adsorption/Desorption Properties of Coal in the Non-uniform Stress Zone: Implications for Coal and Gas Outburst

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Natural Resources Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The haulage roadway of the F15-22080 working face, No.8 mine is situated within a special non-uniform stress zone. In this area, the extraction-boreholes drilling process frequently triggers coal and gas outburst. Against this background, this study systematically conducted high-pressure gas adsorption experiments and high-pressure gas desorption experiments on coal samples collected from different stress zones and obtained their adsorption/desorption characteristics. Subsequently, coal pore structure characteristics at various scales were investigated by employing scanning electron microscopy, low-pressure N2 adsorption and low-pressure CO2 adsorption techniques and fractal analysis to assess the impact of varying stress levels. On this basis, a comprehensive analysis was carried out to explore the connections between stress, pore structure, adsorption/desorption traits, and the risk of outburst. The results indicate that, with increasing stress, the Protodyakonov coefficient f and the Langmuir pressure PL decrease, while the index of diffusion initial velocity of coal gas Δp and the Langmuir volume VL increase. The desorption amount and rate of gas also increase significantly. The total pore volume and specific surface area of micropores increase, while those of mesopores and macropores show an overall decreasing trend. The surface fractal dimension DF1 increases by 9%, the spatial fractal dimension DF2 decreases by 5.2%, and the volume fractal dimension DSIE increases by 1%. The induced stress leads to a decrease in the abundance of macropores and mesopores, with concurrent increase in micropores. The VL exhibits a linear increase with the DSIE, whereas the PL demonstrates a linear decrease with it. The initial desorption rate rises with the reduction of the DF2 and the increase of the DSIE. The influence of superimposed-stress on outburst stems from alterations in pore structure and adsorption–desorption capabilities. Simultaneously, it collectively heightened the outburst risk by increasing the gas pressure gradient and weakening the strength of the coal.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14
Figure 15
Figure 16
Figure 17
Figure 18

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Angulo, R. F., Alvarado, V., & Gonzalez, H. (1992). Fractal dimensions from mercury intrusion capillary tests. In SPE Latin America Petroleum Engineering Conference. OnePetro. https://doi.org/10.2523/23695-ms

  • Cheng, Y., & Hu, B. (2021). Main occurrence form of methane in coal: Micropore filling. Journal of China Coal Society, 46(9), 2933–2948.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, Y., & Lei, Y. (2021). Causality between tectonic coal and coal and gas outbursts. Journal of China Coal Society, 46(1), 180–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, Y., & Pan, Z. (2020). Reservoir properties of Chinese tectonic coal: A review. Fuel, 260, 116350.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, Y., Zhang, X., & Wang, L. (2013). Controlling effect of ground stress on gas pressure and outburst disaster. Journal of Mining & Safety Engineering, 30(3), 408–414.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng, C., Li, X., Xu, E., Sui, H., Xue, F., & Xie, H. (2023). Microstructure characteristics of tectonic coal and primary coal: A case study of Guizhou, China. Natural Resources Research, 32(6), 2901–2926.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He, X., Cheng, Y., Hu, B., Wang, Z., Wang, C., Yi, M., & Wang, L. (2020). Effects of coal pore structure on methane-coal sorption hysteresis: An experimental investigation based on fractal analysis and hysteresis evaluation. Fuel, 269, 117438.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hou, Z.-M., Xiong, Y., Luo, J.-S., Fang, Y., Haris, M., Chen, Q.-J., et al. (2023). International experience of carbon neutrality and prospects of key technologies: Lessons for China. Petroleum Science, 20(2), 893–909.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, B., Cheng, Y., He, X., Wang, Z., Jiang, Z., Wang, C., et al. (2020). New insights into the CH4 adsorption capacity of coal based on microscopic pore properties. Fuel, 262, 116675.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, B., Cheng, Y., & Pan, Z. (2023). Classification methods of pore structures in coal: A review and new insight. Gas Science and Engineering, 110, 204876.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jaroniec, M., Gilpin, R. K., & Choma, J. (1993). Correlation between microporosity and fractal dimension of active carbons. Carbon, 31(2), 325–331.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, C., Liu, X., Wang, W., Wei, W., & Duan, M. (2021). Three-dimensional visualization of the evolution of pores and fractures in reservoir rocks under triaxial stress. Powder Technology, 378, 585–592.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jin, K., Cheng, Y., Ren, T., Zhao, W., Tu, Q., Dong, J., et al. (2018). Experimental investigation on the formation and transport mechanism of outburst coal-gas flow: Implications for the role of gas desorption in the development stage of outburst. International Journal of Coal Geology, 194, 45–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ju, Y. W., Jiang, B., Hou, Q. L., & Wang, G. L. (2005). Relationship between nanoscale deformation of coal structure and metamorphic-deformed environments. Chinese Science Bulletin, 50(16), 1784–1795.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kou, J., Sun, F., Li, W., & Jin, J. (2022). Could China declare a “coal phase-out”? An evolutionary game and empirical analysis involving the government, enterprises, and the public. Energies, 15(2), 531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, X., Fu, X., Ranjith, P. G., & Xu, J. (2019). Stress sensitivity of medium- and high volatile bituminous coal: An experimental study based on nuclear magnetic resonance and permeability-porosity tests. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 172, 889–910.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., Ren, T., Li, X., Qiao, M., Yang, X., Tan, L., & Nie, B. (2023). Multi-scale pore fractal characteristics of differently ranked coal and its impact on gas adsorption. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 33(4), 389–401.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, J., Ren, T., Wang, G., Booth, P., & Nemcik, J. (2017). Experimental study of the adsorption-induced coal matrix swelling and its impact on ECBM. Journal of Earth Science, 28(5), 917–925.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, S.-Q., Sang, S.-X., Liu, H.-H., & Zhu, Q.-P. (2015). Growth characteristics and genetic types of pores and fractures in a high-rank coal reservoir of the southern Qinshui basin. Ore Geology Reviews, 64, 140–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, X., Kong, X., Nie, B., Song, D., He, X., & Wang, L. (2021). Pore fractal dimensions of bituminous coal reservoirs in North China and their impact on gas adsorption capacity. Natural Resources Research, 30(6), 4585–4596.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lowell, S., Shields, J. E., Thomas, M. A., & Thommes, M. (2006). Characterization of porous solids and powders: surface area, pore size and density (Vol. 16). Springer Science & Business Media.

  • Lu, Z., Wang, L., Lv, M., Lei, Y., Wang, H., & Liu, Q. (2022). Experimental study on coal and gas outburst risk in strong outburst coal under different moisture content. Frontiers in Earth Science, 10, 782372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma, Y., Nie, B., He, X., Li, X., Meng, J., & Song, D. (2020). Mechanism investigation on coal and gas outburst: An overview. International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials, 27(7), 872–887.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mou, P., Pan, J., Wang, K., Wei, J., Yang, Y., & Wang, X. (2021). Influences of hydraulic fracturing on microfractures of high-rank coal under different in-situ stress conditions. Fuel, 287, 119566.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Niu, Q., Pan, J., Cao, L., Ji, Z., Wang, H., Wang, K., & Wang, Z. (2017). The evolution and formation mechanisms of closed pores in coal. Fuel, 200, 555–563.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pan, J., He, H., Li, G., Wang, X., Hou, Q., Liu, L., & Cheng, N. (2023). Anisotropic strain of anthracite induced by different phase CO2 injection and its effect on permeability. Energy, 284, 128619.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pfeifer, P., & Liu, K.-Y. (1997). Chapter 12. Multilayer adsorption as a tool to investigate the fractal nature of porous adsorbents. In: W. Rudziński, W. A. Steele, & G. Zgrablich (Eds.), Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis (Vol. 104, pp. 625–677). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-2991(97)80075-4

  • Ravikovitch, P. I., Vishnyakov, A., & Neimark, A. V. (2001). Density functional theories and molecular simulations of adsorption and phase transitions in nanopores. Physical Review E, 64(1), 011602.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ren, P., Wang, Q., Tang, D., Xu, H., & Chen, S. (2022). In situ stress-coal structure relationship and its influence on hydraulic fracturing: A case study in Zhengzhuang area in Qinshui Basin, China. Natural Resources Research, 31(3), 1621–1646.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, J., & Damberger, H. H. (1976). Internal surface area, moisture content, and porosity of Illinois coals: variations with coal rank. Circular no. 493.

  • Thommes, M. (2010). Physical adsorption characterization of nanoporous materials. Chemie Ingenieur Technik, 82(7), 1059–1073. https://doi.org/10.1002/cite.201000064

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thommes, M., Kaneko, K., Neimark, A. V., Olivier, J. P., Rodriguez-Reinoso, F., Rouquerol, J., & Sing, K. S. W. (2015). Physisorption of gases, with special reference to the evaluation of surface area and pore size distribution (IUPAC Technical Report). Pure and Applied Chemistry, 87(9–10), 1051–1069.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ullah, B., Cheng, Y., Wang, L., Hu, B., Jiskani, I. M., Hassan, F. U., et al. (2022a). Experimental and theoretical analyses to predict coal and gas outburst using desorption indices of drill cuttings. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 15(7), 665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ullah, B., Cheng, Y., Wang, L., Yang, W., Jiskani, I. M., & Hu, B. (2022b). Experimental analysis of pore structure and fractal characteristics of soft and hard coals with same coalification. International Journal of Coal Science & Technology, 9(1), 58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C., & Cheng, Y. (2023). Role of coal deformation energy in coal and gas outburst: A review. Fuel, 332, 126019.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C., Cheng, Y., Yi, M., Lei, Y., & He, X. (2020). Powder mass of coal after impact crushing: A new fractal-theory-based index to evaluate rock firmness. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 53(9), 4251–4270.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, E., Zhang, G., Zhang, C., & Li, Z. (2022a). Research progress and prospect on theory and technology for coal and gas outburst control and protection in China. Journal of China Coal Society, 47(1), 297–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, F., & Li, S. (1997). Determination of the surface fractal dimension for porous media by capillary condensation. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 36(5), 1598–1602.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, H., Wang, L., Zheng, S., Sun, Y., Shen, S., & Zhang, X. (2024). Research on coal matrix pore structure evolution and adsorption behavior characteristics under different thermal stimulation. Energy, 287, 129677.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, H., Xiang, J., & Deng, X. (2023a). Molecular simulation of the pore structure and adsorption properties of coal under compression stress. Energy & Fuels, 37(3), 1887–1895.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, K., & Du, F. (2020). Coal-gas compound dynamic disasters in China: A review. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 133, 1–17.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, L., Cheng, Y.-P., & Liu, H.-Y. (2014). An analysis of fatal gas accidents in Chinese coal mines. Safety Science, 62, 107–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, L., Li, J., Han, Y., Liu, M., Song, F., Tian, W., & Zhang, K. (2023b). A new coal seam seepage parameter prediction method based on gas pressure recovery curve for adjacent aquifer environment. Fuel, 353, 129240.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, L., Sun, Y., Zheng, S., Shu, L., & Zhang, X. (2023c). How efficient coal mine methane control can benefit carbon-neutral target: Evidence from China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 424, 138895.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Q., Su, X., Jin, Y., Sun, C., Yu, S., Zhao, W., & Feng, Y. (2023d). Experimental investigation of reservoir fluid interlayer crossflow through fracture during the drainage stage of coal measure gas well. Natural Resources Research, 32(3), 1283–1298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X., Pan, J., Wang, K., Mou, P., & Li, J. (2022b). Fracture variation in high-rank coal induced by hydraulic fracturing using X-ray computer tomography and digital volume correlation. International Journal of Coal Geology, 252, 103942.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z., Cheng, Y., Qi, Y., Wang, R., Wang, L., & Jiang, J. (2019). Experimental study of pore structure and fractal characteristics of pulverized intact coal and tectonic coal by low temperature nitrogen adsorption. Powder Technology, 350, 15–25.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z., Cheng, Y., Zhang, K., Hao, C., Wang, L., Li, W., & Hu, B. (2018). Characteristics of microscopic pore structure and fractal dimension of bituminous coal by cyclic gas adsorption/desorption: An experimental study. Fuel, 232, 495–505.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xie, H., Gao, M., Zhang, R., Peng, G., Wang, W., & Li, A. (2019). Study on the mechanical properties and mechanical response of coal mining at 1000 m or deeper. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 52(5), 1475–1490.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, S., Hu, E., Li, X., & Xu, Y. (2021). Quantitative analysis of pore structure and its impact on methane adsorption capacity of coal. Natural Resources Research, 30(1), 605–620.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xue, S., Yuan, L., Wang, Y., & Xie, J. (2014). Numerical analyses of the major parameters affecting the initiation of outbursts of coal and gas. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 47(4), 1505–1510.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, L. (2021). Research progress of mining response and disaster prevention and control in deep coal mines. Journal of China Coal Society, 46(3), 716–725.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, H. (2001). Genetical type of pores in coal reservoir and its research significance. Journal of China Coal Society, 26(1), 40–44.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, K., Cheng, Y., Wang, L., Hu, B., & Li, W. (2022a). Pore network structure characterization based on gas occurrence and migration in coal. Journal of China Coal Society, 47(10), 15.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, K., Wang, L., Cheng, Y., Li, W., Kan, J., Tu, Q., & Jiang, J. (2020). Geological control of fold structure on gas occurrence and its implication for coalbed gas outburst: case study in the Qinan Coal Mine, Huaibei Coalfield, China. Natural Resources Research, 29(2), 1375–1395.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, K., Zou, A., Wang, L., Cheng, Y., Liu, C., & Li, W. (2022b). Morphological characterization of the microcrystalline structure of tectonic coal and its intrinsic connection with ultra-micropore evolution. Energy & Fuels, 36(3), 1482–1494.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, N., Yao, S., & Wang, Y. (2022c). nanopore structure and mechanical properties in brittle tectonically deformed coals explored by atomic force microscopy. Frontiers in Earth Science, 10, 844120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, R., Liu, S., San-Miguel, A., Schweins, R., Le Floch, S., & Pischedda, V. (2021). Nanoscale coal deformation and alteration of porosity and pore orientation under uniaxial compression: An in situ SANS study. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 54(7), 3593–3608.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S., & Chen, W. (2022). China’s energy transition pathway in a carbon neutral vision. Engineering, 14, 64–76.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, W., Cheng, Y., Jiang, H., Jin, K., Wang, H., & Wang, L. (2016). Role of the rapid gas desorption of coal powders in the development stage of outbursts. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 28, 491–501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, Y., Tai, Z., & Guo, X. (2022). In situ SAXS study on the evolution of coal nanopore structures with uniaxial compressive stress. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 108, 104806.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, B., Yang, S., Wang, C., Cai, J., Xu, Q., & Sang, N. (2019). Experimental study on the influence of coal oxidation on coal and gas outburst during invasion of magmatic rocks into coal seams. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 124, 213–222.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, H., Liu, Z., Zhao, J., Chen, B., Li, X., & Zhong, J. (2023). In-situ observation and modeling approach to evolution of pore-fracture structure in coal. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 33(3), 265–274.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, H. W., Liu, Z. L., Zhong, J. C., Chen, B. C., Zhao, J. W., & Xue, D. J. (2022). NMRI online observation of coal fracture and pore structure evolution under confining pressure and axial compressive loads: A novel approach. Energy, 261, 125297.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the financial support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52034008, No. 52174216 and No. 51974300), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 2021YCPY0206).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Coal Methane and Fire Control, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China

    Zhuang Lu, Liang Wang, Songwei Wu, Hao Wang & Yuanping Cheng

  2. School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China

    Zhuang Lu, Liang Wang, Songwei Wu, Chuanpeng Xi, Hao Wang & Yuanping Cheng

  3. Institute of Deep Earth Sciences and Green Energy, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China

    Peng Chu

Authors
  1. Zhuang Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Liang Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Songwei Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Peng Chu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Chuanpeng Xi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hao Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Yuanping Cheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Liang Wang or Yuanping Cheng.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lu, Z., Wang, L., Wu, S. et al. Investigation of Pore Structure and Adsorption/Desorption Properties of Coal in the Non-uniform Stress Zone: Implications for Coal and Gas Outburst. Nat Resour Res (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-024-10320-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-024-10320-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation