The Development of Porosity-Enhanced Synthetic Coal Plugs for Simulating Deep Coalbed Methane Reservoirs: A Novel Laboratory Approach

Changqing Liu, Zhaobiao Yang (), Heqing Chen, Guoxiao Zhou, Yuhui Liang, Junyu Gu, Yuqiang Wang, Cunlei Li, Benju Lu, Shuailong Feng and Jianan Wang
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Changqing Liu: Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resources and Reservoir Formation Process, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Zhaobiao Yang: Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resources and Reservoir Formation Process, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Heqing Chen: Research Institute of Exploration and Development, PetroChina Xinjiang Oilfield Company, Karamay 834000, China
Guoxiao Zhou: Research Institute of Exploration and Development, PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company, Xi’an 710018, China
Yuhui Liang: Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resources and Reservoir Formation Process, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Junyu Gu: Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resources and Reservoir Formation Process, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Yuqiang Wang: Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resources and Reservoir Formation Process, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Cunlei Li: Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resources and Reservoir Formation Process, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Benju Lu: Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resources and Reservoir Formation Process, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Shuailong Feng: Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resources and Reservoir Formation Process, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Jianan Wang: Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resources and Reservoir Formation Process, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: Deep coal seams in the Junggar Basin, China, have demonstrated high gas yields due to enhanced pore structures resulting from hydraulic fracturing. However, raw coal samples inadequately represent these stimulated reservoirs, and acquiring fractured core samples post-stimulation is impractical. To address this, a novel and operable laboratory method has been developed to fabricate porosity-enhanced synthetic coal plugs that better simulate deep coalbed methane reservoirs. The fabrication process involves crushing lignite and separating it into three particle size fractions (<0.25 mm, 0.25–1 mm, and 1–2 mm), followed by mixing with a resin-based binder system (F51 phenolic epoxy resin, 650 polyamide, and tetrahydrofuran). These mixtures are molded into cylindrical plugs (⌀50 mm × 100 mm) and cured. This approach enables tailored control over pore development during briquette formation. Porosity and pore structure were comprehensively assessed using helium porosimetry, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). MIP and micro-CT confirmed that the synthetic plugs exhibit significantly enhanced porosity compared to raw lignite, with pore sizes and volumes falling within the macropore range. Specifically, porosity reached up to 27.84%, averaging 20.73% and surpassing the typical range for conventional coal briquettes (1.89–18.96%). Additionally, the resin content was found to strongly influence porosity, with optimal levels between 6% and 10% by weight. Visualization improvements in micro-CT imaging were achieved through iodine addition, allowing for more accurate porosity estimations. This method offers a cost-effective and repeatable strategy for creating coal analogs with tunable porosity, providing valuable physical models for investigating flow behaviors in stimulated coal reservoirs.

Keywords: synthetic coal plug; deep coalbed methane; man-made reservoir; micro-CT; mercury intrusion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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