Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental Study of Water Distribution Affected by Stress Sensitivity and Pore–Fracture Compressibility of Low-Rank Coals with Different Levels of Water Saturation

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

Abstract

Five low-rank coal samples with different water saturations were tested using nuclear magnetic resonance. The stress sensitivity, compressibility and inhomogeneity variation of coal internal space, including micropores, meso–macropores and microfractures, were analyzed, and the effects of water saturation on the above characteristics were compared. The spatial size is the main factor that affected the stress sensitivity and compressibility of the internal space and water migration. The total stress sensitivity and compressibility were contributed by all kinds of coal internal spaces, and the contribution degree was correlated positively with the percentage of pore volume. As effective stress rises, the coal internal space exhibited a series of variations: the stress sensitivity increased while the compressibility decreased; the distributional complexity showed a slight change of decreasing first and then increasing; and the inhomogeneity stabilized gradually. Affected by the pore–fracture distribution, the water migrated into a stable state driven by stress. The water saturation controlled the migration priority of water in different-sized pores and affected the amount of the degree of stress that acted on the inhomogeneity of coal internal space; the increasing water saturation enhanced the stress on the inhomogeneity of coal internal space; the compressive disturbing effect of water in meso–macropores and total coal internal space were weakened as water saturation decreases. In addition, the minimum values of stress and compression disturbing effect on coal internal water occurred when the water saturation was 60%, and the water distribution was more stable than other saturations.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ai, T., Wu, S., Zhang, R., Gao, M., Zhou, J., Xie, J., et al. (2021). Changes in the structure and mechanical properties of a typical coal induced by water immersion. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 138, 104597.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akkurt, R., Vinegar, H. J., Tutunjian, P. N., & Guillory, A. J. (1995). NMR logging of natural gas reservoirs. In SPWLA 36th annual logging symposium. OnePetro.

  • Aljamaan, H., Al Ismail, M., & Kovscek, A. R. (2017). Experimental investigation and Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulation of gas shale adsorption from the macro to the nano scale. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 48, 119–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bustin, R. M., & Clarkson, C. R. (1998). Geological controls on coalbed methane reservoir capacity and gas content. International Journal of Coal Geology. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-5162(98)00030-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, Y., Liu, D., Pan, Z., Yao, Y., Li, J., & Qiu, Y. (2013a). Pore structure and its impact on CH4 adsorption capacity and flow capability of bituminous and subbituminous coals from Northeast China. Fuel, 103, 258–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, Y., Liu, D., Pan, Z., Yao, Y., Li, J., & Qiu, Y. (2013b). Petrophysical characterization of Chinese coal cores with heat treatment by nuclear magnetic resonance. Fuel, 108, 292–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, J., Cheng, W., & Wang, G. (2021a). Simulation of the meso-macro-scale fracture network development law of coal water injection based on a SEM reconstruction fracture COHESIVE model. Fuel, 287, 119475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, J., Cheng, W., Wang, G., & Li, H. (2022). Effect of dominated coal pores and fractures on water migration after low-pressure water injection based on CT images. Fuel, 307, 121795.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, J., Cheng, W., Wang, G., Li, H., & Li, Y. (2021b). New method of monitoring the transmission range of coal seam water injection and correcting the monitoring results. Measurement, 177, 109334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, J., Li, X., Cao, H., & Huang, L. (2020). Experimental investigation of the influence of pulsating hydraulic fracturing on pre-existing fractures propagation in coal. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 189, 107040.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S., Tang, D., Tao, S., Ji, X., & Xu, H. (2019). Fractal analysis of the dynamic variation in pore-fracture systems under the action of stress using a low-field NMR relaxation method: An experimental study of coals from western Guizhou in China. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 173, 617–629.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dai, S., Li, D., Chou, C.-L., Zhao, L., Zhang, Y., Ren, D., et al. (2008). Mineralogy and geochemistry of boehmite-rich coals: New insights from the Haerwusu Surface Mine, Jungar Coalfield, Inner Mongolia China. International Journal of Coal Geology, 74(3–4), 185–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dai, S., Ren, D., Chou, C.-L., Li, S., & Jiang, Y. (2006). Mineralogy and geochemistry of the No. 6 Coal (Pennsylvanian) in the Junger Coalfield, Ordos Basin, China. International Journal of Coal Geology, 66(4), 253–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daigle, H., Johnson, A., & Thomas, B. (2014). Determining fractal dimension from nuclear magnetic resonance data in rocks with internal magnetic field gradients. Geophysics, 79(6), D425–D431.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geng, Y., Tang, D., Xu, H., Tao, S., Tang, S., Ma, L., & Zhu, X. (2017). Experimental study on permeability stress sensitivity of reconstituted granular coal with different lithotypes. Fuel, 202, 12–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gu, H., Tao, M., Li, X., Cao, W., & Li, Q. (2020). Dynamic tests and mechanical model for water-saturated soft coal with various particle gradations. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 132, 104386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, J., Wu, C., Jiang, X., Fang, X., & Zhang, S. (2022). Investigation on effective stress coefficients and stress sensitivity of different water-saturated coals using the response surface method. Fuel, 316, 123238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kang, J., Elsworth, D., Fu, X., Liang, S., & Chen, H. (2022). Influence of water on elastic deformation of coal and its control on permeability in coalbed methane production. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 208, 109603.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, J., Liu, D., Yao, Y., Cai, Y., & Guo, X. (2013a). Physical characterization of the pore-fracture system in coals Northeastern China. Energy Exploration & Exploitation, 31(2), 267–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, S., Tang, D., Pan, Z., Xu, H., & Huang, W. (2013b). Characterization of the stress sensitivity of pores for different rank coals by nuclear magnetic resonance. Fuel, 111, 746–754.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, S., Tang, D., Xu, H., & Yang, Z. (2012b). The pore-fracture system properties of coalbed methane reservoirs in the Panguan Syncline, Guizhou China. Geoscience Frontiers, 3(6), 853–862.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, S., Tang, D., Xu, H., Yang, Z., & Guo, L. (2012a). Porosity and permeability models for coals using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance. Energy & Fuels, 26(8), 5005–5014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, P., Fan, L., Fan, J., & Zhong, F. (2021). Effect of water content on the induced alteration of pore morphology and gas sorption/diffusion kinetics in coal with ultrasound treatment. Fuel, 306, 121752.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, T., Lin, B., & Yang, W. (2017). Impact of matrix–fracture interactions on coal permeability: Model development and analysis. Fuel, 207, 522–532.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Z., Liu, D., Cai, Y., Yao, Y., Pan, Z., & Zhou, Y. (2020). Application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in coalbed methane and shale reservoirs: A review. International Journal of Coal Geology, 218, 103261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma, Q., Harpalani, S., & Liu, S. (2011). A simplified permeability model for coalbed methane reservoirs based on matchstick strain and constant volume theory. International Journal of Coal Geology, 85(1), 43–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mandelbrot, B. B. (1982). The fractal geometry of nature (Vol. 1). WH freeman New York.

  • McKee, C. R., Bumb, A. C., & Koenig, R. A. (1988). Stress-dependent permeability and porosity of coal and other geologic formations. SPE Formation Evaluation, 3(01), 81–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meng, Y., Li, Z., & Lai, F. (2015). Experimental study on porosity and permeability of anthracite coal under different stresses. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 133, 810–817.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, T. A. (2012). Coalbed methane: A review. International Journal of Coal Geology, 101, 36–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ouyang, Z., Liu, D., Cai, Y., & Yao, Y. (2016a). Fractal analysis on heterogeneity of pore-fractures in middle-high rank coals with NMR. Energy & Fuels, 30(7), 5449–5458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ouyang, Z., Liu, D., Cai, Y., & Yao, Y. (2016b). Investigating the fractal characteristics of pore-fractures in bituminous coals and anthracites through fluid flow behavior. Energy & Fuels, 30(12), 10348–10357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pan, Z., Connell, L. D., & Camilleri, M. (2010). Laboratory characterisation of coal reservoir permeability for primary and enhanced coalbed methane recovery. International Journal of Coal Geology, 82(3–4), 252–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poulsen, B. A., Shen, B., Williams, D. J., Huddlestone-Holmes, C., Erarslan, N., & Qin, J. (2014). Strength reduction on saturation of coal and coal measures rocks with implications for coal pillar strength. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 71, 41–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seidle, J. P., Jeansonne, M. W., & Erickson, D. J. (1992). Application of matchstick geometry to stress dependent permeability in coals. In SPE rocky mountain regional meeting. OnePetro. https://doi.org/10.2118/24361-MS

  • Shao, L., Hou, H., Tang, Y., Lu, J., Qiu, H., Wang, X., & Zhang, J. (2015). Selection of strategic replacement areas for CBM exploration and development in China. Natural Gas Industry B, 2(2–3), 211–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen, J., Qin, Y., Li, Y., & Wang, G. (2019). Experimental investigation into the relative permeability of gas and water in low-rank coal. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 175, 303–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song, S., Qin, B., Xin, H., Qin, X., & Chen, K. (2018). Exploring effect of water immersion on the structure and low-temperature oxidation of coal: A case study of Shendong long flame coal, China. Fuel, 234, 732–737.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suuberg, E. (1995). Elastic behaviour of coals studied by mercury porosimetry. Fuel, 74(10), 1522–1530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tao, S., Wang, Y., Tang, D., Xu, H., Lv, Y., He, W., & Li, Y. (2012). Dynamic variation effects of coal permeability during the coalbed methane development process in the Qinshui Basin, China. International Journal of Coal Geology, 93, 16–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G., Han, D., Jiang, C., & Zhang, Z. (2020a). Seepage characteristics of fracture and dead-end pore structure in coal at micro- and meso-scales. Fuel, 266, 117058.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G., Han, D., Qin, X., Liu, Z., & Liu, J. (2020b). A comprehensive method for studying pore structure and seepage characteristics of coal mass based on 3D CT reconstruction and NMR. Fuel, 281, 118735.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G., Shen, J., Liu, S., Jiang, C., & Qin, X. (2019). Three-dimensional modeling and analysis of macro-pore structure of coal using combined X-ray CT imaging and fractal theory. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 123, 104082.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, S., Li, H., Wang, W., & Li, D. (2018a). Experimental study on mechanical behavior and energy dissipation of anthracite coal in natural and forced water-saturation states under triaxial loading. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 11(21), 668.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, W., Wang, H., Li, D., Li, H., & Liu, Z. (2018b). Strength and failure characteristics of natural and water-saturated coal specimens under static and dynamic loads. Shock and Vibration, 2018, 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X., Dai, S., Sun, Y., Li, D., Zhang, W., Zhang, Y., & Luo, Y. (2011). Modes of occurrence of fluorine in the Late Paleozoic No. 6 coal from the Haerwusu Surface Mine, Inner Mongolia China. Fuel, 90(1), 248–254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wen, S., Zhou, K., & Lu, Q. (2019). A discussion on CBM development strategies in China: A case study of PetroChina Coalbed Methane Co. Ltd. Natural Gas Industry B, 6(6), 610–618.

  • Xiao, K., Zhang, Z., Zhang, R., Gao, M., Xie, J., Zhang, A., & Liu, Y. (2021). Anisotropy of the effective porosity and stress sensitivity of coal permeability considering natural fractures. Energy Reports, 7, 3898–3910.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, W., Li, T., Li, M., Zhao, J., Zheng, L., & Li, L. (2016). Evaluation of the stress sensitivity in tight reservoirs. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 43(1), 115–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, H., Tang, D. Z., Tang, S. H., Zhao, J. L., Meng, Y. J., & Tao, S. (2014). A dynamic prediction model for gas–water effective permeability based on coalbed methane production data. International Journal of Coal Geology, 121, 44–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xue, S., Huang, Q., Wang, G., Bing, W., & Li, J. (2021). Experimental study of the influence of water-based fracturing fluids on the pore structure of coal. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 88, 103863.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, M., & Bi, J. (2018). Influence of extreme temperature on the pore and fracture development of high-rank coal. Advances in Civil Engineering, 2018, 4529751.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, M., Bi, J., Liu, Y., & Jin, X. (2018). Low-field NMR ecological research on the effects of confining pressure changes on pore fissure characteristics of high-rank coal. Ekoloji, 27(106), 817–825.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao, Q., Chen, T., Ju, M., Liang, S., Liu, Y., & Li, X. (2016). Effects of water intrusion on mechanical properties of and crack propagation in coal. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 49(12), 4699–4709.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao, Y., Liu, D., Che, Y., Tang, D., Tang, S., & Huang, W. (2010). Petrophysical characterization of coals by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Fuel, 89(7), 1371–1380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao, Y., Liu, D., Liu, J., & Xie, S. (2015). Assessing the water migration and permeability of large intact bituminous and anthracite coals using NMR relaxation spectrometry. Transport in Porous Media, 107(2), 527–542.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao, Y., Liu, D., Tang, D., Tang, S., & Huang, W. (2008). Fractal characterization of adsorption-pores of coals from North China: An investigation on CH4 adsorption capacity of coals. International Journal of Coal Geology, 73(1), 27–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao, Y., Liu, J., Liu, D., Chen, J., & Pan, Z. (2019). A new application of NMR in characterization of multiphase methane and adsorption capacity of shale. International Journal of Coal Geology, 201, 76–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, J., Tahmasebi, A., Han, Y., Yin, F., & Li, X. (2013). A review on water in low rank coals: The existence, interaction with coal structure and effects on coal utilization. Fuel Processing Technology, 106, 9–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, S., Bo, J., Ming, L., Chenliang, H., & Shaochun, X. (2020). A review on pore-fractures in tectonically deformed coals. Fuel, 278, 118248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, Q., & Wang, Z. (2017). A new cleat volume compressibility determination method and corresponding modification to coal permeability model. Transport in Porous Media, 119(3), 689–706.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J., Chu, X., Wei, C., Zhang, P., Zou, M., Wang, B., et al. (2022a). Review on the application of low-field nuclear magnetic resonance technology in coalbed methane production simulation. ACS Omega, 7(30), 26298–26307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J., Wei, C., Ju, W., Qin, Z., Ji, Y., Quan, F., & Hu, Y. (2020a). Microscopic distribution and dynamic variation of water under stress in middle and high rank coal samples. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 79, 103369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J., Wei, C., Ju, W., Yan, G., Lu, G., Hou, X., & Kai, Z. (2019a). Stress sensitivity characterization and heterogeneous variation of the pore-fracture system in middle-high rank coals reservoir based on NMR experiments. Fuel, 238, 331–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, K., Lai, J., Bai, G., Pang, X., Ma, X., Qin, Z., et al. (2020b). Comparison of fractal models using NMR and CT analysis in low permeability sandstones. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 112, 104069.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S., Wu, C., Fang, X., Liu, N., Jiang, X., & Han, J. (2022b). Mapping of stress sensitivity affected by water variation to microscopic pore distributions in medium-and high-rank coals. Natural Resources Research, 31(3), 1601–1619.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X., Wu, C., & Liu, S. (2017). Characteristic analysis and fractal model of the gas-water relative permeability of coal under different confining pressures. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 159, 488–496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X., Wu, C., & Wang, Z. (2019b). Experimental study of the effective stress coefficient for coal permeability with different water saturations. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 182, 106282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Z., Yan, D., Yang, S., Zhuang, X., Li, G., Wang, G., & Wang, X. (2020c). Experimental studies on the movable-water saturations of different-scale pores and relative permeability of low-medium rank coals from the Southern Junggar Basin. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 83, 103585.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, Y., Liu, S., Jiang, Y., Wang, K., & Huang, Y. (2016). Dynamic tensile strength of coal under dry and saturated conditions. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 49(5), 1709–1720.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, Z., Ni, X., Cao, Y., & Shi, Y. (2021). Application of fractal theory to predict the coal permeability of multi-scale pores and fractures. Energy Reports, 7, 10–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, S., Yao, Y., Elsworth, D., Wang, B., & Liu, Y. (2020). A novel pore size classification method of coals: Investigation based on NMR relaxation. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 81, 103466.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, S., Liu, D., Cai, Y., & Yao, Y. (2016). Fractal characterization of pore–fracture in low-rank coals using a low-field NMR relaxation method. Fuel, 181, 218–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zou, M., Wei, C., Zhang, M., Shen, J., Chen, Y., & Qi, Y. (2013). Classifying coal pores and estimating reservoir parameters by nuclear magnetic resonance and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Energy & Fuels, 27(7), 3699–3708.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This paper was undertaken by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41872170), the State Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China (42130802), A Project Funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2020CXNL11).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Vehicles and Energy, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, 066004, Hebei, People’s Republic of China

    Jiang Han

  2. Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resources and Reservoir Formation Process, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China

    Caifang Wu & Shasha Zhang

  3. State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China

    Zhiming Wang

  4. Science and Technology Research Institute, China Three Gorges Corporation, Haidian District, Beijing, 100038, People’s Republic of China

    Ziwei Wang

Authors
  1. Jiang Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Caifang Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhiming Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shasha Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ziwei Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Caifang Wu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors have no competing interests to declare that they are relevant to the content of this article.

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

Han, J., Wu, C., Wang, Z. et al. Experimental Study of Water Distribution Affected by Stress Sensitivity and Pore–Fracture Compressibility of Low-Rank Coals with Different Levels of Water Saturation. Nat Resour Res 32, 649–671 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-023-10158-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-023-10158-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation