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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "H: Geo-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 9174

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Zhaobiao Yang

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Guest Editor

Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resources and Reservoir Formation Process, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Interests: coalbed methane geology; coal seam gas geology; evaluation of aband mine methane

Dr. Piaopiao Duan

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Guest Editor

School of Resource and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Interests: distribution, mode of occurrence, and enrichment mechanisms of critical metals in coal and coal-bearing sequences; metallogenic mechanism of critical metals in coal-bearing sequences
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Dr. Chen Guo

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Guest Editor

College of Geology and Environment, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
Interests: coalbed methane geology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the context of the global advocacy of “Dual Carbon Goals”, the development and utilization of coal will be gradually reduced in the foreseeable future. However, the associated resources of coal are worthy of attention, including coalbed methane (CBM) and key metal elements in coal. CBM is a type of unconventional natural gas with huge resources and low-carbon characteristics. Its development has multiple benefits. Indeed, many countries have achieved commercial development of CBM, and it has become one of the most important components of natural gas. Some critical metals in coal are often enriched, leading to novel approaches to comprehensive utilization of coal, which has strategic significance.

Therefore, this Special Issue focuses on recent research advances of CBM, coal measure methane (CMM), and trace elements in coal, including the enrichment mechanisms of deep/shallow CBM/CMM, optimization of CBM sweet spots, CBM geological engineering integrated evaluation, co-mining of coal and CBM, enrichment mechanisms of critical metals in coal, etc.

Topics of interest for publication include but are not limited to:

Enrichment mechanism of deep/shallow CBM/CMM;
Evaluation of CBM reservoir;
Optimization of CMM sweet spots;
CBM geological engineering integrated evaluation;
Co-mining of coal and CBM;
Evaluation of abandoned mine methane;
Distribution, mode of occurrence, and enrichment mechanisms of critical metals in coal and coal-bearing sequences;
Metallogenic mechanism of critical metals in coal-bearing sequences.

Prof. Dr. Zhaobiao Yang
Dr. PiaoPiao Duan
Dr. Chen Guo
Guest Editors

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Keywords

coalbed methane
coal seam gas
coal seam methane
coal seam natural gas
co-mining of coal and CBM
abandoned mine methane
critical metals in coal

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 7862 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Organic Geochemical Features of the Upper Paleozoic Coal-Bearing Deposits in Ordos Basin, North-Central China

by Zonglin Li, Hong Li, Wenhou Li, Jiaopeng Sun and Keyong Li

Energies 2023, 16(5), 2302; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16052302 - 27 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1421

Abstract

The exploration of hydrocarbon resources plays a critical role in fulfilling the world’s increasing demand for energy. In this regard, the distribution and source rock characteristics of coal measure stratum in the whole basin are important and must be studied. However, systematic research has not been conducted yet. In this study, organic geochemical data, drilling data, and fieldwork were used to examine the source rock distribution of the Upper Paleozoic stratum. The results revealed that Upper Paleozoic coal-bearing rock series are mostly present in the Benxi, Taiyuan, and Shanxi formations, and mudstones and coals are formed frequently in tidal flat deposits. The layers of the coal and mudstone are primarily thick on the western sides, eastern sides, and northern sides, thin in the middle region, and gradually thinner from north to south. The source rocks are mostly enriched in the east and west of the basin. The results of the Rock-Eval pyrolysis analysis indicated that the overwhelming majority of the coal comprises excellent source rocks, all limestones are poor source rocks, and most mudstones are good–excellent source rocks. The kerogen type of most of the rock samples is type Ⅲ, suggesting typical “gas source” kerogen. Humus is derived from terrestrial organism and aquatic algae remnants, indicating a diversified parent material input. These results evidence that studied source rocks are at the postmature-dry gas stage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Simultaneous Exploitation of Coal and Associated Energy)

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13 pages, 5477 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Pore Structure on the Distribution of Wet Gases in Coal Seams of Enhong Syncline, SW China

by Fengjuan Lan, Yong Qin, Ming Li, Yugan Wang and Yuhang Liu

Energies 2023, 16(1), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010432 - 30 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1257

Abstract

The origin of the high content of wet gases in coalbed seams is very important geologically, especially in the Enhong syncline in China. The present study focuses on the role of the material that generates the hydrocarbons. The effect of the pore structure on the generation of wet gases has not been thoroughly examined. The present paper characterizes the coal pore structure in the “wet gas area” and “dry gas area”. The pore structures in the two areas are shown to have different features, which affect the distribution of the wet gases. With respect to the pore structure parameters, coals in the wet gas area have a greater total specific surface area and pore volume in micropores. The pore structure types also differ between the two areas: the pore structures in the dry gas areas are mainly of the parallel type and reverse S type, which is favorable for the migration and dissipation of coalbed gases. The pore structure in the wet gas area is relatively closed, with poor connectivity and susceptibility to blockage. The micropore volume, total specific surface area, and the connectivity of the pore structure significantly affect the reserve of wet gases. The adsorption capacity of the micropores and the closed pore structure contribute to the preservation of wet gases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Simultaneous Exploitation of Coal and Associated Energy)

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18 pages, 10221 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Late Paleozoic Accumulation of Coal-Bearing Successions in the Wuhai Coalfield, Western North China: Back-Arc Basin Response to Southward Subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean

by Jia Liu, Jiaopeng Sun, Qiang Chen, Feng Kou, Yao Ma, Teng Wang, Qian Zhang, Weidong He, Lei He and Yukun Qi

Energies 2023, 16(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010034 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1426

Abstract

The Late Paleozoic is an important epoch of coal-bed accumulation in the North China, particularly in its western segment, where a world-class coal field has been found and exploited for three decades. Coal-bearing layers recorded rapid Late Carboniferous to Early Permian sea-level rise that led to the evolution of the shallow marine tidal flat basin, followed by regression that resulted in the formation of deltaic facies. However, little attention has been paid to the tectonic factors that assisted in the coal accumulation processes, which have been demonstrated worldwide to be pivotal. In this study, we evaluate the significant influence of southward subduction of the middle segment of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO) during Carboniferous to Early Permian deposition of coal-bearing neritic to deltaic successions in the western North China Block (NCB). We pinpoint a direct link between basin-filling evolution of the northwestern Ordos Basin and the progressive uplift of the Inner Mongolia continental arc triggered by the south-dipping subduction of the Solonker ocean plate. Sedimentary facies variation and paleocurrent reconstruction indicate sedimentary routing from the north to northeast. The petrology and detrital zircon geochronology of sampled sandstones indicate evolving provenances from a dominated cratonic basement to a mixed orogen and continental arc. The Carboniferous samples are generally quartz arenites and contain a large number of Archean to Paleoproterozoic zircons with small amounts of Paleozoic arc pluton components, indicating sediment supply dominated by the western NCB Precambrian basement. In contrast, the youngest sample of the Shanxi Formation is sub-litharenite, the age spectrum of which is characterized by the dominance of ca. 450 and 270 Ma ages, indicative of a high influx of Paleozoic arc detritus. This shift in sandstone petrology, detrital zircon distribution, and depositional setting allows us to link the shoaling of the Ordos Basin with mountain building and the unroofing of the continental arc, which enhances our understanding of both the subduction of the PAO and coal accumulation in the NCB. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Simultaneous Exploitation of Coal and Associated Energy)

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19 pages, 5227 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Identification of Water Sources of Coalbed Methane Wells, Based on the Hydrogen and Oxygen Isotopes of Produced Water—A Case of the Zhijin Block, South China

by Lingling Lu, Chen Guo, Zhenlong Chen and Hang Yuan

Energies 2022, 15(24), 9550; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15249550 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1423

Abstract

The quantitative identification of water sources is an important prerequisite for objectively evaluating the degree of aquifer interference and predicting the production potential of coalbed methane (CBM) wells. However, this issue has not been solved yet, and water sources are far from being completely understood. Stable water isotopes are important carriers of water source information, which can be used to identify the water sources for CBM wells. Taking the Zhijin block in the Western Guizhou Province as an example, the produced water samples were collected from CBM wells. The relationships between the stable isotopic compositions of the produced water samples and the production data were quantitatively analyzed. The following main conclusions were obtained. (1) The δD and δ¹⁸O values of the produced water samples were between −73.37‰ and −27.56‰ (average −56.30‰) and between −11.04‰ and −5.93‰ (average −9.23‰), respectively. The water samples have D-drift characteristics, showing the dual properties of atmospheric precipitation genesis and water–rock interaction modification of the produced water. An index d was constructed to enable the quantitative characterization of the degree of D-drift of the produced water. (2) The stable isotopic compositions of produced water showed the control of the water sources on the CBM productivity. The probability of being susceptible to aquifer interference increased with the increasing span of the producing seam combination, reflected in the lowering δD and δ¹⁸O values and the decreasing gas productivity. (3) Three types of water, namely, static water, dynamic water, and mixed water, were identified. The characteristic values of the isotopic compositions of the static and dynamic water were determined. Accordingly, a quantitative identification method for the produced water sources was constructed, based on their stable isotopic compositions. The identification results have a clear correlation with the gas production, and the output of the static water contributes to the efficient CBM production. The method for the quantitative identification of the water sources proposed in this study, can help to improve the CBM development efficiency and optimize the drainage technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Simultaneous Exploitation of Coal and Associated Energy)

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21 pages, 10507 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geochemical Characteristics of Coal in the Taiyuan Formation in the Center and North of the Xishan Coalfield

by Gang Wang, Yong Qin and Yiwei Xie

Energies 2022, 15(21), 8025; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15218025 - 28 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1341

Abstract

The Xishan coalfield is an important coking coal-producing area in China. The No. 8 and No. 9 coals of the Taiyuan formation were sampled and tested from nine mines in the center and north of the Xishan coalfield, and the coal’s quality characteristics, element occurrence characteristics, enrichment characteristics, and sedimentary environment characteristics were analyzed to provide a foundation for clean and efficient coal utilization and identification of associated coal resources. The results obtained from the experiment show that Li in No. 8 coal is the enrichment element. The enrichment coefficient of the U element of ML8 is 13.78, which is close to the industrial index of recycling. The enrichment hazardous elements are Cu, Mo, Cd of ML8, Mo of DQ8, and Th of ZCD8. Along with K value and Sr/Ba ratio, seawater has a greater influence on the south of No. 8 coal than on the north and on the east of No. 9 coal than on the west. No. 8 coal (except ML8) was formed under an oxidation environment based on the U/Th, Ni/Co, and V/Cr ratios. The oxidation or suboxic to the dysoxic environment resulted in the formation of No. 9 coal. Based on the Al₂O₃/TiO₂ ratio, the sediments of No. 8 and No. 9 coals are mainly from felsic volcanic rocks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Simultaneous Exploitation of Coal and Associated Energy)

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15 pages, 3599 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geochemical Characteristics of Water Produced from Coalbed Methane Wells in the Southern Qinshui Basin and Construction of an Associated Model: Implications for Coalbed Methane Co-Production

by Jie Wu, Chen Guo, Shuxun Sang and Guofu Li

Energies 2022, 15(21), 8009; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15218009 - 28 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1416

Abstract

The geochemical characteristics of water produced from coalbed methane (CBM) wells contain rich information about the associated geology, environment, and production. This study was conducted in the Southern Qinshui Basin, where produced water samples were collected from 10 typical CBM wells and their ionic compositions and water quality parameters were tested. The differences in the chemical characteristics of the produced water between different producing coal seams and between single-seam production wells (SPWs) and multi-seam co-production wells (MCWs) were compared, and the geochemical formation process of the produced water was revealed. The following conclusions were obtained: (1) the water produced samples that were mainly Na-HCO₃-type and were generally weakly alkaline and moderately mineralized. The water produced from No. 15 coal seam was more enriched in SO₄, Ca, and Mg compared to that of No. 3 coal seam, and the variations were more intense, reflecting a more complex water chemistry formation. (2) The ionic data of the water produced from MCWs do not lie between the coal seams of SPWs, nor do they satisfy the linear relationship between the ionic compositions of SPWs, reflecting the differences in the water sources between MCWs and SPWs. Water from MCWs tends to communicate with active water sources outside the coal seams, and the produced water contains small amounts of Cl and total dissolved solids, thus inhibiting the pressure reduction efficiency and limiting the effect of CBM co-production. (3) Based on a principal component analysis of the ionic compositions, two characteristic components were extracted, and these represented two types of hydrochemical formation processes. The first type is pyrite oxidation and carbonate dissolution, and its opposite represents sulfate reduction. The second type reflects the groundwater retention and confinement characteristics, and its opposite represents active groundwater or stronger recharge conditions. (4) A geochemical formation model of the water produced from CBM wells in the study area was constructed. Cation exchange adsorption and sulfate reduction were found to be the main water–rock interactions in the coal measure, and they determine the overall water quality of the produced water. Recharge has a relatively significant influence on water produced from MCWs. Pyrite oxidation exists in the water produced from No. 15 coal seam of the Taiyuan Formation, and the higher sulfur content in the coal contributes to this reaction. The results of the study will assist in deepening our understanding of the geochemical formation mechanisms of water produced from CBM wells, and they provide the main reasons for the poor CBM co-production effect from the Shanxi and Taiyuan Formations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Simultaneous Exploitation of Coal and Associated Energy)

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