Development and Characterization of High-Strength Coalbed Fracturing Proppant Based on Activated Carbon Skeleton

Kai Wang (), Chenye Guo, Qisen Gong, Gen Li, Xiaoyue Zhuo, Peng Zhuo and Chaoxian Chen
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Kai Wang: College of Safety Science and Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
Chenye Guo: Southwest Branch of China National Coal Group Corp, Chongqing 400025, China
Qisen Gong: Chongqing Energy Investment Group Technology Co., Ltd., Chongqing 401420, China
Gen Li: Southwest Branch of China National Coal Group Corp, Chongqing 400025, China
Xiaoyue Zhuo: Chongqing Energy Investment Group Technology Co., Ltd., Chongqing 401420, China
Peng Zhuo: Chongqing Energy Investment Group Technology Co., Ltd., Chongqing 401420, China
Chaoxian Chen: Chongqing Energy Investment Group Technology Co., Ltd., Chongqing 401420, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-20

Abstract: To address the challenges of low permeability, high gas adsorption, and a fragile structure in coalbed methane reservoirs, this study developed a high-strength composite proppant with an activated carbon skeleton via nitric acid pretreatment, silica–alumina sol coating, and calcination. Orthogonal experiments optimized the preparation conditions: 30–40 mesh activated carbon, Si/Al molar ratio of 4:1, calcination at 650 °C for 2 h. The resulting proppant exhibited an excellent performance: a single-particle compressive strength of 55.5 N, porosity of 33.2%, crushing rate of only 2.3% under 50 MPa closure pressure, and permeability 48.5% higher than quartz sand. In simulated acidic coalbed environments (pH 3–5), its acid corrosion rate was <2.8%, and it enhanced methane desorption by 16.2% compared to pure coal. Additionally, the proppant showed a superior transport performance in fracturing fluids, with better distribution uniformity in fractures than ceramsite, and its hydrophobic surface (contact angle 115.32°) improved fracturing fluid flowback efficiency. This proppant integrates high strength, good conductivity, gas desorption promotion, and corrosion resistance, offering a novel material solution for efficient coalbed methane extraction.

Keywords: activated carbon skeleton proppant; coalbed methane fracturing; coalbed adaptability; silica–alumina coating (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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