Characterization of coal pore structures and flow simulation based on CT and experiments of MIP and SEM

Characterization of pore structures and flow simulation are essential to spatial migration of coalbed methane. In this paper, coal samples from Xinjing and Xinzhuang coal mines are collected and a comprehensive characterization method by using computed tomography (CT) technique and experiments of mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is proposed. Pore structure parameters are finely characterized and analyzed. Moreover, the flow process for coal samples is visualized and flow characteristics are analyzed. The result shows that pore structures of coal samples are strongly heterogeneous and are dominated by micropores, and filled with kaolinite, calcium monofluorophosphate, pyrite, etc. The flow velocity increases obviously in micropores and narrow throats. The flow is greatly affected by the pore structure. This study is of practical significance for the coalbed methane recoverability evaluation and exploration.