Coal breakage using abrasive liquid nitrogen jet and its implications for coalbed methane recovery

Ruiyue Yang, Chunyang Hong, Zhongwei Huang, Xianzhi Song, Shikun Zhang and Haitao Wen

Applied Energy, 2019, vol. 253, issue C, -

Abstract: Coalbed methane (CBM) is an important global energy resource. However, reservoir damage and wellbore collapse caused by water and chemical additives invasion are major obstacles that restrict the economic exploitation of CBM. Abrasive liquid nitrogen (LN2) jet assisted-drilling, a non-aqueous technique, is expected to improve drilling efficiency and simultaneously protect formations. To determine its feasibility and the effects of critical parameters, a series of laboratory experiments considering various jetting schemes were conducted. The coal-breakage mechanism was highlighted based on macro and micro analysis. Subsequently, we proposed an innovative CBM stimulation approach referred to as Radial Abrasive LN2 Jet drilling (ALN-RJD) that uses abrasive LN2 jet to drill multiple laterals radiating out from a main borehole. Then, the potential application of this method for CBM recovery enhancement in an economic feasible way was discussed using the numerical simulation and Net Present Value (NPV) method. The results show that the abrasive LN2 jet has superior coal-breakage performance attributed to four coupled effects: high-velocity jet impact, thermal shock, abrasive erosion, and gasification cracking. Moreover, the ALN-RJD can significantly increases the gas production by creating conductive pathways for gas transport in complex lateral-fracture networks. Besides, the economic analysis indicated that ALN-RJD can achieve higher NPV than those of conventional CBM development methods. The key findings of this study are expected to provide a viable alternative for the sustainable development of CBM resources in a profitable and environmentally acceptable manner.

Keywords: Coalbed methane; Liquid nitrogen; Abrasive jet; Coal breakage; Complex fracture network (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113485

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