Time-varying diffusion characteristics of different gases in coal particles

Abstract

Based on the analytical solution of gas diffusion in spherical coal particles with a constant diffusion coefficient, a calculation method of time-varying diffusion coefficient is proposed by constructing objective function. The time-varying diffusion behavior of methane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the coal particles was studied. The results show that with the increase of diffusion time, the diffusion coefficients of methane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide gas in the coal particles exhibit an attenuation characteristic, eventually approaching a limit value individually. The diffusion coefficient of carbon dioxide is larger than methane, and the diffusion coefficient of nitrogen is smallest. Significant phenomenon of limited diffusion was observed for coal of strong adsorption capability. Through the analysis of the diffusion coefficient of gases at different diffusion time, a mathematical model describing the time-varying diffusion characteristic of gases is obtained. The implementation of mixed gases to replace coal bed methane has a very important practical significance. Keywords: Coal, Coalbed methane (CBM), Adsorption, Diffusion, Objective function