Coal microstructure

Capture Research

Purpose

Limited and unstable injectivity into coal seams is one of the main obstacles in field scale underground storage of CO2. This work aims to investigate the underlying microstructural causes of coal swelling upon intake of CO2, including influence of factors like coal rank, maceral type, ash content, moisture content and presence of methane.

Summary

This work aims to apply Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS), Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and other techniques to study the mechanisms of sorption of CO2, CH4 and N2 in unmineable coals and the effect of these gases on the microstructure of coal matrix (porosity, internal surface area and permeability). SANS and SAXS are noninvasive tools capable of probing the pore space in the scale range from one nanometer to tens of micrometers, which encompasses macropores, mesopores and micropores. Macropores and mesopores provide conduits to the coal matrix, whereas microporosity of coal is the dominant factor in the gas adsorption process.

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The Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate brings together Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea and the United States of America to address the challenges of climate change, energy security and air pollution in a way that encourages economic development and reduces poverty. More...