Influence of Stress on Gas Sorption Behavior and Induced Swelling in Coal: Implications for Sustainable CO 2 Geological Storage

Zhiming Fang (), Chenlong Yang and Shaicheng Shen
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Zhiming Fang: State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Safety, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
Chenlong Yang: State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Safety, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
Shaicheng Shen: State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Safety, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-19

Abstract: The influence of stress on gas sorption behavior and sorption-induced swelling in coal is critical for the success of CO 2 -enhanced coalbed methane recovery (CO 2 -ECBM) and geological carbon sequestration—a key strategy for mitigating climate change and promoting clean energy transitions. However, this influence remains insufficiently understood, largely due to experimental limitations (e.g., overreliance on powdered coal samples) and conflicting theoretical frameworks in existing studies. To address this gap, this study systematically investigates the effects of two distinct stress constraints—constant confining pressure and constant volume—on CO 2 adsorption capacity, adsorption kinetics, and associated swelling deformation of intact anthracite coal cores. An integrated experimental apparatus was custom-designed for this study, combining volumetric sorption measurement with high-resolution strain monitoring via the confining fluid displacement (CFD) method and the confining pressure response (CPR) method. This setup enables the quantification of CO 2 –coal interactions under precisely controlled stress environments. Key findings reveal that stress conditions exert a regulatory role in shaping CO 2 –coal behavior: constant confining pressure conditions enhance CO 2 adsorption capacity and sustain adsorption kinetics by accommodating matrix swelling, thereby preserving pore accessibility for continuous gas uptake. In contrast, constant volume constraints lead to rapid internal stress buildup, which inhibits further gas adsorption and accelerates the attainment of kinetic saturation. Sorption-induced swelling exhibits clear dependence on both pressure and constraint conditions. Elevated CO 2 pressure leads to increased strain, while constant confining pressure facilitates more gradual, sustained expansion. This is particularly evident at higher pressures, where adsorption-induced swelling prevails over mechanical constraints. These results help resolve key discrepancies in the existing literature by clarifying the dual role of stress in modulating both pore accessibility (for gas transport) and mechanical response (for matrix deformation). These insights provide essential guidance for optimizing CO 2 injection strategies and improving the long-term performance and sustainability of CO 2 -ECBM and geological carbon storage projects, ultimately supporting global efforts in carbon emission reduction and sustainable energy resource utilization.

Keywords: coal; stress; adsorption; adsorption kinetics; swelling; sustainable CO 2 geological storage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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