Simulation of CO2-geosequestration enhanced coal bed methane recovery with a deformation-flow coupled model

Coal bed methane (CBM) recovery and CO2 sequestration into coal seams coupled with enhanced CBM recovery have been recognized as an economically effective and environmentally friendly technology to improve the utilization of coal reserves. However, implementation of CBM and CO2 enhanced CBM (CO2-ECBM) production involves complex deformation-flow interactions in the coal. These aspects and their fundamental understanding remain as major concerns for CBM/ECBM modeling. Increasing interest in CBM and potentially in CO2-ECBM technology requires accurate predictive modeling to minimize investment risks. This paper proposed a deformation-flow coupled model to address aspects of model improvement. This model was developed based on nonlinear elastic deformation mechanics and gas percolation theory and implemented using an established computer program named F-RFPA2D - 2D Flow-coupled Rock Failure Process Analysis code. The numerical simulations of this model were carried out according to a CO2 capture and sequestration (CCS) integrated underground coal gasification (UCG) process designed for Zhongliangshan coal mine in southwest China. The individual operations comprising (1) conventional CBM recovery and CO2 sequestration into coal and (2) the integrated operation of CBM recovery with CO2 enhancement were numerically investigated, respectively. The results show that CO2 sequestration into the coal bed promotes rapid transport of CBM towards the gas producer wells with a longer production period and can enhance coal bed methane recovery by up to 80% under the conditions of using this this study.