Effect of gas compressibility factor estimation in coal sorption isotherms accuracy

Abstract

Compressibility factor (CF) is a key parameter in gas industry, regarding gas flow and storage in a gas reservoir. This study highlights the necessity to accurately estimate CF, affecting reservoir sorption capacity determination. The effect of the CF of N2, CH4 and CO2 in the coal porous structure was studied. Sorption isotherms showed no significant hysteresis regarding N2, due to gas inert behaviour. CH4 has a higher CF slope and the hysteresis behaviour is stronger than in N2. CO2 has no linear CF behaviour and besides relevant hysteresis, a distinct general trend between both curve shapes was identified, and the CO2 desorption curve intercepted the CO2 adsorption curve at 30x105 Pa. This is due to CO2 retention on coal porous structure, thanks to the great affinity between CO2 and the organic microporous structure, to pressures up to 6.9x105 Pa. The gas mixture showed a significant hysteresis due to its composition.