Based on the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, we have determined coalbed methane desorption efficiency. Three key pressure points are observed on the desorption efficiency curves: turning pressure, transition pressure, and sensitive pressure. Based on data for the key pressure points and the critical desorption pressure for the isothermal desorption process at reduced pressure (depressurization/desorption), we can divide the process into 5 stages: the zero desorption stage, the slow desorption stage, the transitional desorption stage, the quick desorption stage, and the sensitive desorption stage. We use an example to show that during coalbed methane production the zero desorption stage does not contribute to the productivity, the slow and transitional desorption stages make a small contribution, and the major contribution comes from the quick and sensitive desorption stages. A higher sensitive pressure means peak methane production is achieved faster. Higher desorption efficiency obviously means a faster rate of increase in production volume.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
R. Rogers, K. Ramurthy, G. Rodvelt et al., Coalbed Methane: Principles and Practices, Oktibbeha Publishing Co. LLC (1994), pp. 1-20.
H. S. Price and K. L. Ancell. Methane Gas from Coalbeds: Development, Production and Utilization, US Department of Energy, Morgantown Energy Research Center (1978), pp. 37-52.
H. Jahediesfanjani and F. Civan, “Determination of multi-component gas and water equilibrium and non-equilibrium sorption isotherms in carbonaceous solids from early-time measurements,” Fuel, 86, 1601-1613 (2007).
R. Sakvrovs, S. Day, S. Weir et al., “Temperature dependence of sorption of gases by coals and charcoals,” International Journal of Coal Geology, 73, Nos. 3-4, 250-258 (2008).
K. Cheung, H. Sanei, P. Klassen, et al., “Produced fluids and shallow groundwater in coalbed methane producing regions of Alberta, Canada: Trace element and rare earth element geochemistry,” International Journal of Coal Geology, 77, 338-349 (2009).
D. Zhao, Z. Feng, and Y. Zhao, “Laboratory experiment on coalbed methane desorption influenced by water injection and temperature,” Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology, 50, 24-33 (2011), SPE-148945-PA.
D. M. Ma andY. B. Lin, “Experimental study on effects of CBM temperature-rising desorption,” Journal of Coal Science and Engineer, 18, 350-354 (2012).
S. Reeves and L. Pekot, “Advanced reservoir modeling in desorption-controlled reservoirs,” in: SPE Rocky Mountain Petroleum Technology Conference, Keystone, Colorado, 21-23 May 2001; SPE 71090.
X. Cui and R. M. Bustin, “Volumetric strain associated with methane desorption and its impact on coalbed gas production from deep coal seams,” AAPG Bull., 89, 1181-1202 (2005).
R. D. Roadifer and T. R. Moore, “Coalbed methane pilots: timing, design and analysis,” in: SPE Unconventional Reservoirs Conference, Keystone, Colorado, 10-12 February 2008; SPE 114169.
J. Yi, I. Y. Akkutlu, C. O. Karacan et al., “Gas sorption and transport in coals: a poroelastic medium approach,” International Journal of Coal Geology, 77, 137-144 (2009).
H. Zhang, J. Liu, and D. Elsworth, “How sorption-induced matrix deformation affects gas flow in coal seams: a new FE model,” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 45, 1226-1236 (2008).
A. S. Ziarani, R. Aguilera, and C. R. Clarkson, “Investigating the effect of sorption time on coalbed methane recovery through numerical simulation,” Fuel, 90, 2428-2444 (2011).
Y. J. Qu, D. Z. Tang, B. G. Guo et al., “Characteristics of coalbed methane isothermal adsorption and its controlling on productivity,” in: 2011 Second International Conference on Mechanic Automation and Control Engineering. Piscataway: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (2011), pp. 2017-2020.
Z. Zhang, Y. Qin, and X. W. Geoff et al., “Numerical description of coalbed methane desorption stages based on isothermal adsorption experiment,” Earth Sciences, 56, No. 6, 1029-1036 (2013).
I. Langmuir, “The constitution and fundamental properties of solids and liquids,” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 38, 2221-2295 (1916).
This study was supported by the National Grand Science and Technology Special Project of China (Project No. 2011ZX05042-002-001). We would like to thank Professor Chuanliang Li for valuable advice during preparation of the paper.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Translated from Khimiya i Tekhnologiya Topliv i Masel, No. 4, pp. 48– 52, July – August, 2014.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ma, F., Wang, Y., Li, H. et al. Staged Coalbed Methane Desorption and the Contribution of Each Stage to Productivity. Chem Technol Fuels Oils 50, 344–353 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10553-014-0531-3
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10553-014-0531-3