Impacts of coal shrinkage, permeability and petrography on gas regime in mines Case study: Tahmoor coal mine, NSW, Australia

The volumetric changes in the coal matrix (Coal Shrinkage), permeability under various gas environment conditions as well as perographical properties were studied in the laboratory. The shrinkage and permeability of coal were examined with respect to changing gas type and confining pressures. The shrinkage tests were carried out in high-pressure bombs while the permeability study was conducted in a specially constructed high-pressure chamber. Methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen, (N2) and a 50% - 50% volume mixture of CO2/CH4 gas were used in the study. The tests showed that under different pressure levels gas type affected permeability and shrinkage characteristics of coal. This paper presents a case study of Tahmoor Colliery, NSW, Australia and an overall discussion on coal shrinkage, permeability and coal petrography data of Tahmoor that permits a better understanding of the gas regime in this mine. The results are important to the further understanding of the inter-relationship between gas flow, the coal matrix and permeability in ‘normal’ and ‘tight’ coal conditions (locally referred to as disturbed coal).