Moisture Content Key in Unlocking China's Coalbed Methane Reserves
The researchers studied how stress, moisture, and gas pressure affect the permeability of coal samples from Tunlan coalmine. They found that confining stress has a bigger impact on permeability than axial stress. The permeability of coal samples follows a 'V' shape with the lowest permeability at 1.1MPa gas pressure. Additionally, as moisture content increases, gas permeability decreases exponentially, dropping by about 70% when moisture content goes from 0.18% to 3.15%. These findings help understand how methane gas moves through coal beds, which can aid in more efficient coalbed methane extraction in the Qinshui basin.