Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characterization of Coal Fines and their Production Controlling Factors: A Case Study from Southern Qinshui Basin, China

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Natural Resources Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It is essential to formulate coalbed methane (CBM) drainage in order to improve gas production as well as to characterize coal fines and determine factors controlling its production. Some coal fines samples were collected from CBM wells in the Shizhuang block, Qinshui Basin, China. Through application of several characterization methods (i.e., composition testing, particle size measurement, and mass concentration monitoring), the samples of coal fines from various stages of gas production were characterized, and the geological factors affecting coal fines production were discussed. The produced coal fines were found to have greater minerals content than the primary coal fine samples. The organic composition of the coal fines was dominated by vitrinite (51.58–67.00%) followed by inertinite (10–34.74%) and inorganic minerals (4.21–28%). The coal fines samples were dominated by clay minerals, pyrite, and quartz. The particle sizes of coal fines (PZCF) ranged from 0.4 to 3300 μm with a wide size distribution. The particles’ shapes were mainly columnar, spherical, flaky, flat, and lumpy. During CBM drainage, the PZCF decreased, and the average mass concentration of the coal fines (AMCCF) first increased and then decreased. As the floor curvature increased, the AMCCF increased and then plateaued. As the cumulative thickness of the granulated and mylonitized coals increased, the AMCCF first increased, reached a maximum in the range of 1.5–2.0 m, and then decreased. The AMCCF was correlated positively with the initial reservoir pressure gradient. The study can provide some guidance for controlling coal fines production.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bai, T., Chen, Z., Aminossadati, S. M., Danesh, N. N., Pan, Z., Liu, J., & Li, L. (2016). Impact of flow regimes on coal fines generation during Coal Seam Gas production process. In 50th US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. OnePetro.

  • Bai, T., Chen, Z., Aminossadati, S. M., Li, L., Liu, J., & Lu, H. (2017). Dimensional analysis and prediction of coal fines generation under two-phase flow conditions. Fuel, 194, 460–479.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bai, T., Chen, Z., Aminossadati, S. M., Pan, Z., Liu, J., & Li, L. (2015). Characterization of coal fines generation: A micro-scale investigation. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 27, 862–875.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao, D., Wang, A., Ning, S., Li, H., Guo, A., Chen, L., Liu, K., Tan, J., & Zheng, Z. (2020). Coal field structure and structural controls on coal in China. International Journal of Coal Science and Technology, 7(2), 220–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu, X., Qin, Y., Wang, G. G., & Rudolph, V. (2009). Evaluation of coal structure and permeability with the aid of geophysical logging technology. Fuel, 88(11), 2278–2285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao, X., Wang, Y., Ni, X., Li, Y., Wu, X., Zhao, S., & Yu, Y. (2018). Recovery of tectonic traces and its influence on coalbed methane reservoirs: A case study in the Linxing area, eastern Ordos Basin, China. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 56, 414–427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gu, Y., Ding, W., Yin, S., Wang, R., Mei, Y., & Liu, J. (2017). Analytical modeling of mercury injection in high-rank coalbed methane reservoirs based on pores and microfractures: A case study of the upper carboniferous Taiyuan Formation in the Heshun block of the Qinshui Basin, central China. Journal of Geophysics and Engineering, 14(2), 197–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo, Z., Hussain, F., & Cinar, Y. (2015). Permeability variation associated with fines production from anthracite coal during water injection. International Journal of Coal Geology, 181, 147–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo, Z., Hussain, F., & Cinar, Y. (2016). Physical and analytical modelling of permeability damage in bituminous coal caused by fines migration during water production. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 35, 331–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, G., Ling, K., Wu, H., Gao, F., Zhu, F., & Zhang, M. (2015a). An experimental study of coal-fines migration in Coalbed-methane production wells. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 26, 1542–1548.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, G. Q., Ling, K. G., Wu, H. X., Gao, F., Zhu, F., & Zhang, M. Z. (2015b). An experimental study of coal-fines migration in Coalbed-methane production wells. Journal of Natural Gas and Science and Engineering, 26, 1542–1548.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, W. L., Wang, Y. B., Fan, J. J., Li, Y., Wu, X., & Yu, Y. (2020). An experimental study on coal fines migration during single phase water flow. Geofluids, 8, 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, W., Wang, Y., Li, Y., Ni, X., Wu, X., Wu, P., & Zhao, S. (2021b). Recognizing fracture distribution within the coalbed methane reservoir and its implication for hydraulic fracturing: A method combining field observation, well logging, and micro-seismic detection. Journal of Natural Gas and Science and Engineering, 92, 103986.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, W., Wang, Y., Li, Y., Ni, X., Wu, X., Yang, J., & Zhao, S. (2021a). Coal fines migration, deposition, and output simulation during drainage stage in coalbed methane production. Energy & Fuels, 35(6), 4901–4913.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hou, H., Shao, L., Guo, S., Li, Z., Zhang, Z., Yao, M., Zhao, S., & Yan, C. (2017). Evaluation and genetic analysis of coal structures in deep Jiaozuo Coalfield, northern China: Investigation by geophysical logging data. Fuel, 209, 552–566.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hou, S., Wang, X., Wu, M., Wang, X., Jing, Z., & Aiwe, Z. (2014). Coal fines production in different drainage stages and its influence on productivity. Progress in Mine Safety Science and Engineering, II, 1253–1257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hou, X., Zhu, Y., Wang, Y., & Liu, Y. (2019). Experimental study of the interplay between pore system and permeability using pore compressibility for high rank coal reservoirs. Fuel, 254, 115712.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hou, Y., Liu, D., Zhao, F., Zhong, L., Emmanuel, N. N., & Zhang, Q. (2022). Geological Characteristics Affecting Coalbed Methane: A Case Study in the Anze Area, Southern Qinshui Basin. Natural Resources Research, 1–18.

  • Hu, S., Chen, Y., Hao, Y., Chen, Z., Feng, G., Li, G., Guan, S. W., Zhang, X. T., & Li, S. (2020). Experimental study of the effects of fine retention on fracturing proppant permeability in coalbed methane reservoirs. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 83, 103604.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, F., Kang, Y., You, Z., You, L., & Xu, C. (2017). Critical conditions for massive fines detachment induced by single-phase flow in coalbed methane reservoirs: Modeling and experiments. Energy and Fuels, 31(7), 6782–6793.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, C., Yang, Z., Chen, J., & Sun, H. (2022). Prediction of critical desorption pressure of coalbed methane in multi-coal seams reservoir of medium and high coal rank: A case study of eastern Yunnan and Western Guizhou, China. Natural Resources Research, 31, 1443–1461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Z., & Zhao, J. (2016). Discussing the internal structural characteristics of coal seams using electrical microresistivity image logging data. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 12(2), 179–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, S. G., HU, A. M., Song, B., & LI, H. F. (2012). Coal powder concentration warning and control measure during CBM well drainage. Journal of China Coal Society, 37(1), 86–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magill, D., Ramurthy, M., Jordan, R., & Nguyen, P. (2010). Controlling coal-fines production in massively cavitated openhole coalbed-methane wells. In SPE Asia Pacific oil and gas conference and exhibition. OnePetro.

  • Massarotto, P., Iyer, R. S., Elma, M., & Nicholson, T. (2014). An experimental study on characterizing coal bed methane (CBM) fines production and migration of mineral matter in coal beds. Energy and fuels, 28(2), 766–773.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meng, Y., Tang, D., Xu, H., Li, C., Li, L., & Meng, S. (2014). Geological controls and coalbed methane production potential evaluation: A case study in Liulin area, eastern Ordos Basin, China. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 21, 95–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ni, X., Li, Z., Wang, Y., & Wu, J. (2017). Favorable sections optimization about coalbed methane on developing fault blocks in central of Qinshui Basin. Natural Gas Geoscience, 28(4), 602–610.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ni, X., Zhao, Z., Wang, Y., & Wang, L. (2020). Optimisation and application of well types for ground development of coalbed methane from no. 3 coal seam in shizhuang south block in Qinshui basin, Shanxi province, China. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 193, 107453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ninomiya, Y., Zhang, L., Sato, A., & Dong, Z. (2004). Influence of coal particle size on particulate matter emission and its chemical species produced during coal combustion. Fuel Processing Technology, 85(8–10), 1065–1088.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pan, L. H., Zhang, S. C., Zhang, J., & Lin, X. (2015). An experimental study on screening of dispersants for the coalbed methane stimulation. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 9(4), 437–454.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rui, L. I., Wang, S. W., Chen, L. C., Zhang, C., He, J. H., & Chao, W. W. (2014). Coal powder output dynamic variation and influence factors during coalbed methane drainage. Coal Science and Technology, 42(6), 122–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, Q., Qin, Y., Zhou, B., Zhang, M., Wu, M., & Wang, L. (2018). An experimental study of the agglomeration of coal fines in suspensions: Inspiration for controlling fines in coal reservoirs. Fuel, 211, 110–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, Z., Wu, K., Shi, J., Li, Y., Jin, T., Li, Q., & Li, X. (2019). Novel prediction methods for under-saturated coalbed methane wells: Effect of drainage schedules. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 181, 106215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tao, S., Pan, Z., Chen, S., & Tang, S. (2019). Coal seam porosity and fracture heterogeneity of marcolithotypes in the Fanzhuang Block, southern Qinshui Basin, China. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 66, 148–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teng, J., Yao, Y., Liu, D., & Cai, Y. (2015). Evaluation of coal texture distributions in the southern Qinshui basin, North China: Investigation by a multiple geophysical logging method. International Journal of Coal Geology, 140, 9–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, B., Sun, F., Tang, D., Zhao, Y., Song, Z., & Tao, Y. (2015). Hydrological control rule on coalbed methane enrichment and high yield in FZ Block of Qinshui Basin. Fuel, 140, 568–577.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, C., Zou, M., Sun, Y., Cai, Z., & Qi, Y. (2015). Experimental and applied analyses of particle migration in fractures of coalbed methane reservoirs. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 23, 399–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, Y., Cao, D., Yuan, Y., Zhu, X., Zhang, X., Yao, Z., & Zhou, J. (2013). Characteristics of pulverized coal during coalbed methane drainage in Hancheng block, Shaanxi Province. China. Energy Exploration and Exploitation, 31(5), 745–757.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, Y., Li, C., Cao, D., Wang, A., Zhang, A., & Yao, Z. (2019). The effects of particle size and inorganic mineral content on fines migration in fracturing proppant during coalbed methane production. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 182, 106355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, Y., Li, C., Cao, D., Zhang, A., Wang, A., & Xiang, X. (2018). New progress on the coal fines affecting the development of coalbed methane. Acta Geologica Sinica-English Edition, 92(5), 2060–2062.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, G., Tang, S., Hu, W., Song, Z., Zhang, S., Xi, Z., Wang, K., & Yan, X. (2020). Analysis of abnormally high water production in coalbed methane vertical wells: A case study of the Shizhuangnan block in the southern Qinshui Basin, China. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 190, 107100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao, Z., Cao, D., Wei, Y., Li, X., Wang, X., & Zhang, X. (2016). Experimental analysis on the effect of tectonically deformed coal types on fines generation characteristics. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 146, 350–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, A., Cao, D., Wei, Y., & Rufford, T. E. (2020a). Characterization of fines produced during drainage of coalbed methane reservoirs in the Linfen block. Ordos Basin. Energy Exploration and Exploitation, 38(5), 1664–1679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, B., Sun, H., Liang, Y., Wang, K., & Zou, Q. (2020b). Characterization and quantification of mining-induced fractures in overlying strata: Implications for coalbed methane drainage. Natural Resources Research, 29(4), 2467–2480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, H., Mo, Y. X., Sun, M., & Wei, X. Y. (2005). Determination of the mineral distribution in pulverized coal using densitometry and laser particle sizing. Energy & Fuels, 19(6), 2261–2267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, X., Liu, S., Sang, S., Pan, Z., Zhao, W., Yang, Y., Hu, Q., & Yang, Y. (2016). Characteristics and generation mechanisms of coal fines in coalbed methane wells in the southern Qinshui Basin, China. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 34, 849–863.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zou, Y. S., Zhang, S. C., & Zhang, J. (2014). Experimental method to simulate coal fines migration and coal fines aggregation prevention in the hydraulic fracture. Transport in porous media, 101(1), 17–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42072194) and the National Science and Technology Major Project of China (Grant No. 2017ZX05064003-001). We thank the Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Green, Efficient and Intelligent Construction of Underground Metro Station for providing the testing device.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518000, China

    Wenlong Han & Yuefu Zhou

  2. Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Green, Efficient and Intelligent Construction of Underground Metro Station, Shenzhen, 518000, China

    Wenlong Han & Yuefu Zhou

  3. College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, 100083, China

    Yong Li & Yanbin Wang

  4. School of Energy Science and Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454000, China

    Xiaoming NI

  5. China United Coalbed Methane Corporation Limited, Beijing, 100016, China

    Li Wang

Authors
  1. Wenlong Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yong Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yanbin Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xiaoming NI
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Li Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yuefu Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yuefu Zhou.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Han, W., Li, Y., Wang, Y. et al. Characterization of Coal Fines and their Production Controlling Factors: A Case Study from Southern Qinshui Basin, China. Nat Resour Res 32, 1777–1794 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-023-10213-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-023-10213-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation