# Hydraulic-Mechanical Coupling Model with Dual-Porosity Dual-Permeability for Anisotropy Coal Seams and Its Application in Mine Gas Extraction

Authors: Bingjie Huo; Xuedong Jing; Aiping He; Chaojun Fan
Journal: Advances in Civil Engineering
 (2019)

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## Abstract

The parameters of pore-fracture structure and permeability have a controlling effect on the behaviors of gas adsorption/desorption and transportation in coal reservoir. A mathematic model for coal seams is of great significance to evaluate the mass migration within the coal fracture-matrix system. In this paper, the hydraulic-mechanical coupling model considering both dual-porosity dual-permeability and anisotropy characteristics is first established by using the methods of theoretical analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) test, and numerical simulation. Then, this model is applied to simulate the gas migration characteristics of No. 3 coal seam in Changping Mine, China. Results show that the pore structure of No. 3 coal seam is characterized by small radius of pores and pore throats, which is determined by the NMR test, verifying the dual-permeability dual-porosity of coal seams. Both matrix permeability and fracture permeability increase approximately linearly with the process of mine gas extraction. The increased magnitude of the matrix permeability is greater than that of the fracture permeability. The permeability is inversely proportional to the anisotropy coefficient. The pressure gradient within the coal matrix and fracture increases first and then decreases with the extraction time. This pressure gradient is proportional to the anisotropy coefficient at the early stage of extraction and is inversely proportional to the anisotropy coefficient at the later stage. The seepage and diffusion flux are proportional to the anisotropy coefficient. The proportion of matrix-to-fracture seepage flux to the total flux increases first and then decreases to a certain value. The proposed model provides a guide for accurate designation of gas extraction from coal seams.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Coalbed methane (CBM), a kind of unconventional natural gas, is a clean energy source for solving the problem of global warming [1, 2] and also a valuable by-product of CO2 geological sequestration in coal seams [3–5]. Meanwhile, coal mine gas is one of the most serious threats to mine safety [6, 7]. With the increase in mining depth, gas pressure and content in coal seams increase, and this imposes gas emission and serious gas dynamic disasters. Gas extraction and utilization can increase energy supply and reduce coal mine gas accidents, thus achieving remarkable social and economic benefits [8–10]. Gas migration in coal seams is the core of gas extraction, which involves the interaction of coal and gas, namely, the hydraulic-mechanical coupling responses [11, 12].The pore structure of the coal seam determines the law of gas adsorption/desorption, diffusion, seepage, and mass transfer between the coal fracture and matrix [13, 14]. The hydraulic-mechanical coupling model in the coal seam can fully reflect the relationship between gas seepage and coal deformation and capture the evolution of coal porosity and permeability [15]. For gas migration in coal seams, many gas-solid coupling models have been put forward. Zhang et al. pointed out the geostress and gas pressure control the effective stress on coal, which will change the porosity and permeability within the coal seam, and developed a nonlinear coupled mathematical model [16]. Considering gas desorption-induced swelling, Connell developed a coupled model for coalbed methane extraction. In this model, the permeability in the coal seam is sensitive to stress and pore pressure changes [17]. Wu et al. established a model to describe the evolution of porosity and permeability in fractured coalbeds infiltrated with gas [18]. A coupled model was presented to analyze fluid flow and deformation in porous and fractured rock considering the Klinkenberg effect [19–21]. The complex coal and gas interactions under variable temperatures were investigated [22–24]. Suites of governing equations for the hydraulic-mechanical model including the dual-porosity structure of the coal seam were developed to model the hydraulic fracturing in the coal seam and optimize the enhanced coalbed methane recovery using CO2/N2 mixtures [25–27]. Cao et al. developed a coal-rock solid-gas coupling mesomechanical test device, which provides a new idea for fluid-solid coupling verification [28]. To determine the pore structure of the coal seam, Yao et al. and Zhou et al. studied the pore structure of the granite by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology, which provides a basis for rock microstructure and damage mechanism [29, 30]. Ren et al. analyzed the pore diameter and effective porosity characteristics of low-rank coal reservoirs [31]. The coal seam is characterized by a typical dual-porosity system with a microporous matrix and macroporous cleats/fractures containing free and adsorbed gases [12, 13].The established models are mostly isotropic single-porosity single-permeability model and seldom combine the pore structure characteristics of the coal seam with the coupling model. In this paper, we will creatively propose a hydraulic-mechanical coupling model by considering dual-porosity and anisotropy characteristics of the coal seam on the basis of investigation of the pore structure of Changping coal samples. Then, the proposed model will be applied to simulate underground gas drainage and reveal the law of gas migration, as well as the influence of permeability anisotropy on gas drainage. This provides a theoretical basis for gas disaster prevention and control in gas-rich coal seam.


## 2. Hydraulic-Mechanical Model for Dual-Porosity and Anisotropy Coal Seams

### 2.1. Dual-Porosity Characteristics of Coal Seams and Basic Assumptions

The pore structure of No. 3 coal seam in Changping Coal Mine is studied using the NMR test. Figures1 and 2 show the results of the NMR test. The pores of the coal reservoir were divided based on their size into micropores (<0.1 μm), medium-large pores (0.1∼100 μm), and fractures (>100 μm) [29]. In Figure 1, the curves of pore aperture distribution of coal samples show an independent bimodal shape. The difference between the two peaks is obvious. The pore structure is mainly micropores, accounting for 91%∼96% of the total pore volume.Figure 1
Pore diameter distribution in coal samples.Figure 2
Distribution of pore throats in coal samples.The micropore and them medium-large pore are not connected. The micropore provides the most space for gas adsorption in the coal seam. The pore throat aperture which is smaller than 0.1 μm accounts for more than 90% of all pore throats (Figure 2). A large amount of gas is stored in the micropore, which leads to the increase in the gas content in the coal seam. Hence, the dual-porosity structure conforms to the pore characteristics.According to the pore structure characteristics, gas existence, and migration in the coal seam, the following assumptions are drawn [23, 32, 33]: (1) as shown in Figure 3, the coal seam is regarded as the anisotropic dual-porosity, dual-permeability elastic continuity medium, and the coal seam consists of fractures and coal matrix, while pores exist in the coal matrix; (2) the relationship between adsorbed gas content and gas pressure follows the Langmuir equation; (3) gas is assumed to be satisfied with ideal gas; (4) the coal seam is saturated by the single-phase gas; (5) gas transportation in the fracture system conforms to Darcy’s law, and gas transfer from the matrix system into the fracture system can be divided into seepage and diffusion terms, satisfying Darcy’s law and Fick’s law, respectively.Figure 3
Gas migration modes from matrix to fracture.


### 2.2. Governing Equations for a Hydraulic-Mechanical Coupling Model

#### 2.2.1. Gas Seepage-Diffusion in the Coal Matrix

Gas extraction reduces the pressure near borehole which will break the gas adsorption equilibrium in the coal matrix. The absorbed gas desorbs into the space of pores and transports to the fractures driven by the pressure and concentration gradients via diffusion and seepage accordingly [34, 35]. Gas in the coal matrix includes adsorbed and free gases and can be defined as(1)mm=ϕmρg+1−ϕm−ϕfVsgρsρgs,where ϕm is the porosity of the coal matrix, ρg is the gas density (kg/m3), ϕf is the porosity of the fracture, Vsg is the absorbed gas content (m3/kg), ρs is the density of the coal skeleton (kg/m3), and ρgs is the gas density under standard conditions (kg/m3).According to the ideal gas law, gas density can be expressed as(2)ρg=MgRTp,where Mg is the gas molar mass (kg/mol), R is the gas molar constant (J/mol⋅K), p is the gas pressure (MPa), and T is the coal seam temperature (K).The Langmuir equation is used to define the absorbed gas content:(3)Vsg=apm1+bpm,where a is the Langmuir volume constant (m3/kg), b is the Langmuir pressure constant (1/MPa), and pm is the gas pressure in the coal matrix (MPa).By introducing the matrix seepage and diffusion terms, the mass conservation equation in the coal matrix can be defined as(4)∂mm∂t+∇⋅−MgpmRTkmμ∇pm=−MgτRTpm−pf,where t is the time (s); pf is the gas pressure (MPa); τ is the gas desorption time, which reflects the gas diffusion capacity of the coal matrix; μ is the dynamic viscosity of gas (Pa·s); ▽ is the Hamiltonian operator; and km is the permeability of the coal matrix (m2).Submitting equations (1)–(3) into equation (4), the governing equation for gas transportation in the coal matrix system is obtained as follows:(5)MgRT∂pmϕm∂t+MgpsRTs∂∂t1−ϕm−ϕfabρs1+bpm−∇⋅MgpmRTkmμ∇pm=−MgτRTpm−pf.


#### 2.2.2. Gas Seepage in Fractures

The coal matrix system provides the mass source for the fracture system. According to the mass conservation, the governing equation of gas seepage in the fracture system considering the Klinkenberg effect can be defined as(6)MgRT∂ϕf∂tpf+∂pf∂tϕf+∇⋅−MgpfRTkfμ1+mpf∇pf=1−ϕfMgτRTpm−pf,where ρfg is the gas density in fracture (kg/m3), kf is the permeability of fracture (m2), and m is the Klinkenberg factor (MPa).


#### 2.2.3. Coal Deformation

Coal mass is regarded as the inhomogeneous elastic medium with dual porosity (matrix pores and fractures) and dual permeability (matrix and fracture permeability). Coal deformation reflects the combined actions of gas pressure in the matrix pore and fracture, gas sorption induced stress, and overburden stress, which can be expressed as [36](7)εij=12Gσij−16G−19Kσkkδij+13Kαmpm+αfpfδij+13εsδij,where δij is the Kronecker factor, εs is the sorption induced strain, G is the shear modulus (GPa), K = E/1−2υ is the bulk modulus of coal mass (Pa), E is the elastic modulus (GPa), v is the Poisson ratio, αm = 1−K/anKn and αf = 1 − K/Ks are the Biot coefficients for matrix and fracture, Ks is the bulk modulus of the coal skeleton (MPa), an is the width of the coal matrix (m), and kn is the stiffness of the fracture (Pa).The Langmuir-type equation is applied to express the relation between sorption-induced strain and gas pressure [37]:(8)εs=εlpmpm+pl,where ε1 is the maximum sorption-induced strain and pl is the gas pressure corresponding to 50% of the maximum sorption-induced strain.The strain-displacement relation of coal is satisfied with the Cauchy formula:(9)εij=12ui,j+uj,i,where ui is the displacement at i direction (m) with i = x, y, z.According to the elastic mechanics, the stress equilibrium relation can be expressed as(10)σij,j+Fi=0,where Fi is the body force of coal.Submitting equations (8)–(10) into equation (10), we can derive the governing equation of coal deformation:(11)Gui,jj+G1−2υuj,ji−αmPm,i−αfPf,i−Kεs,i+Fi=0.


#### 2.2.4. Coupling Terms

Porosity and permeability play a significant role in the coupling relationship between coal deformation and gas transportation in the coal seam [23, 33]. According to [12], the porosity of the matrix can be defined as(12)ϕm=11+Sϕm01+S0+αmS−S0,where S = εv + pm/Ks − αTT − εs, S0 = εv0 + pm0/Ks − αTT0 − εs0, εv is the volume strain of coal; and the subscript “0” represents the initial value of the corresponding variable.The cubic law is adopted to establish the relation between matrix porosity and matrix permeability:(13)kmkm0=11+S1+S0+αmS−S0ϕm03.Based on the definition of fracture porosity, the change in fracture porosity can be derived as [38–40](14)ϕfϕf0=1+Δbb0.Due to a change in effective stress, the corresponding fracture dilation can be obtained as follows [41, 42](15)Δb=−b0KfΔσe=−3b0ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εv.Experiments show that the permeability of the coal fracture varies with porosity and is denoted as follows [43]:(16)kfkf0=ϕfϕf03=1−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εv3.The existence of fractures in coal seams often makes the coal permeability show anisotropic characteristics. Considering the anisotropy characteristics, the fracture permeability in the coal seam can be recovered as [18, 38](17)kfxkf0=121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εy3+121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εz3,kfykf0=121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εx3+121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εz3,kfzkf0=121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpe−εx3+121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εy3,where kfx, kfy, and kfz are the fracture permeabilities at x, y, and z directions, respectively (m2).We assemble equations (5), (6), (11)–(13), and (17) to establish the hydraulic-mechanical coupling model with dual-porosity dual-permeability in the coal seam. The bidirectional interactions include the coal deformation (M), gas sorption, and transport (H) fields. The equations are complex nonlinear second-order partial differential equations (PDEs) that are difficult to solve analytically [27]. We utilize the finite element (FE) method to obtain a numerical solution.


## 2.1. Dual-Porosity Characteristics of Coal Seams and Basic Assumptions

The pore structure of No. 3 coal seam in Changping Coal Mine is studied using the NMR test. Figures1 and 2 show the results of the NMR test. The pores of the coal reservoir were divided based on their size into micropores (<0.1 μm), medium-large pores (0.1∼100 μm), and fractures (>100 μm) [29]. In Figure 1, the curves of pore aperture distribution of coal samples show an independent bimodal shape. The difference between the two peaks is obvious. The pore structure is mainly micropores, accounting for 91%∼96% of the total pore volume.Figure 1
Pore diameter distribution in coal samples.Figure 2
Distribution of pore throats in coal samples.The micropore and them medium-large pore are not connected. The micropore provides the most space for gas adsorption in the coal seam. The pore throat aperture which is smaller than 0.1 μm accounts for more than 90% of all pore throats (Figure 2). A large amount of gas is stored in the micropore, which leads to the increase in the gas content in the coal seam. Hence, the dual-porosity structure conforms to the pore characteristics.According to the pore structure characteristics, gas existence, and migration in the coal seam, the following assumptions are drawn [23, 32, 33]: (1) as shown in Figure 3, the coal seam is regarded as the anisotropic dual-porosity, dual-permeability elastic continuity medium, and the coal seam consists of fractures and coal matrix, while pores exist in the coal matrix; (2) the relationship between adsorbed gas content and gas pressure follows the Langmuir equation; (3) gas is assumed to be satisfied with ideal gas; (4) the coal seam is saturated by the single-phase gas; (5) gas transportation in the fracture system conforms to Darcy’s law, and gas transfer from the matrix system into the fracture system can be divided into seepage and diffusion terms, satisfying Darcy’s law and Fick’s law, respectively.Figure 3
Gas migration modes from matrix to fracture.


## 2.2. Governing Equations for a Hydraulic-Mechanical Coupling Model

### 2.2.1. Gas Seepage-Diffusion in the Coal Matrix

Gas extraction reduces the pressure near borehole which will break the gas adsorption equilibrium in the coal matrix. The absorbed gas desorbs into the space of pores and transports to the fractures driven by the pressure and concentration gradients via diffusion and seepage accordingly [34, 35]. Gas in the coal matrix includes adsorbed and free gases and can be defined as(1)mm=ϕmρg+1−ϕm−ϕfVsgρsρgs,where ϕm is the porosity of the coal matrix, ρg is the gas density (kg/m3), ϕf is the porosity of the fracture, Vsg is the absorbed gas content (m3/kg), ρs is the density of the coal skeleton (kg/m3), and ρgs is the gas density under standard conditions (kg/m3).According to the ideal gas law, gas density can be expressed as(2)ρg=MgRTp,where Mg is the gas molar mass (kg/mol), R is the gas molar constant (J/mol⋅K), p is the gas pressure (MPa), and T is the coal seam temperature (K).The Langmuir equation is used to define the absorbed gas content:(3)Vsg=apm1+bpm,where a is the Langmuir volume constant (m3/kg), b is the Langmuir pressure constant (1/MPa), and pm is the gas pressure in the coal matrix (MPa).By introducing the matrix seepage and diffusion terms, the mass conservation equation in the coal matrix can be defined as(4)∂mm∂t+∇⋅−MgpmRTkmμ∇pm=−MgτRTpm−pf,where t is the time (s); pf is the gas pressure (MPa); τ is the gas desorption time, which reflects the gas diffusion capacity of the coal matrix; μ is the dynamic viscosity of gas (Pa·s); ▽ is the Hamiltonian operator; and km is the permeability of the coal matrix (m2).Submitting equations (1)–(3) into equation (4), the governing equation for gas transportation in the coal matrix system is obtained as follows:(5)MgRT∂pmϕm∂t+MgpsRTs∂∂t1−ϕm−ϕfabρs1+bpm−∇⋅MgpmRTkmμ∇pm=−MgτRTpm−pf.


### 2.2.2. Gas Seepage in Fractures

The coal matrix system provides the mass source for the fracture system. According to the mass conservation, the governing equation of gas seepage in the fracture system considering the Klinkenberg effect can be defined as(6)MgRT∂ϕf∂tpf+∂pf∂tϕf+∇⋅−MgpfRTkfμ1+mpf∇pf=1−ϕfMgτRTpm−pf,where ρfg is the gas density in fracture (kg/m3), kf is the permeability of fracture (m2), and m is the Klinkenberg factor (MPa).


### 2.2.3. Coal Deformation

Coal mass is regarded as the inhomogeneous elastic medium with dual porosity (matrix pores and fractures) and dual permeability (matrix and fracture permeability). Coal deformation reflects the combined actions of gas pressure in the matrix pore and fracture, gas sorption induced stress, and overburden stress, which can be expressed as [36](7)εij=12Gσij−16G−19Kσkkδij+13Kαmpm+αfpfδij+13εsδij,where δij is the Kronecker factor, εs is the sorption induced strain, G is the shear modulus (GPa), K = E/1−2υ is the bulk modulus of coal mass (Pa), E is the elastic modulus (GPa), v is the Poisson ratio, αm = 1−K/anKn and αf = 1 − K/Ks are the Biot coefficients for matrix and fracture, Ks is the bulk modulus of the coal skeleton (MPa), an is the width of the coal matrix (m), and kn is the stiffness of the fracture (Pa).The Langmuir-type equation is applied to express the relation between sorption-induced strain and gas pressure [37]:(8)εs=εlpmpm+pl,where ε1 is the maximum sorption-induced strain and pl is the gas pressure corresponding to 50% of the maximum sorption-induced strain.The strain-displacement relation of coal is satisfied with the Cauchy formula:(9)εij=12ui,j+uj,i,where ui is the displacement at i direction (m) with i = x, y, z.According to the elastic mechanics, the stress equilibrium relation can be expressed as(10)σij,j+Fi=0,where Fi is the body force of coal.Submitting equations (8)–(10) into equation (10), we can derive the governing equation of coal deformation:(11)Gui,jj+G1−2υuj,ji−αmPm,i−αfPf,i−Kεs,i+Fi=0.


### 2.2.4. Coupling Terms

Porosity and permeability play a significant role in the coupling relationship between coal deformation and gas transportation in the coal seam [23, 33]. According to [12], the porosity of the matrix can be defined as(12)ϕm=11+Sϕm01+S0+αmS−S0,where S = εv + pm/Ks − αTT − εs, S0 = εv0 + pm0/Ks − αTT0 − εs0, εv is the volume strain of coal; and the subscript “0” represents the initial value of the corresponding variable.The cubic law is adopted to establish the relation between matrix porosity and matrix permeability:(13)kmkm0=11+S1+S0+αmS−S0ϕm03.Based on the definition of fracture porosity, the change in fracture porosity can be derived as [38–40](14)ϕfϕf0=1+Δbb0.Due to a change in effective stress, the corresponding fracture dilation can be obtained as follows [41, 42](15)Δb=−b0KfΔσe=−3b0ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εv.Experiments show that the permeability of the coal fracture varies with porosity and is denoted as follows [43]:(16)kfkf0=ϕfϕf03=1−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εv3.The existence of fractures in coal seams often makes the coal permeability show anisotropic characteristics. Considering the anisotropy characteristics, the fracture permeability in the coal seam can be recovered as [18, 38](17)kfxkf0=121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εy3+121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εz3,kfykf0=121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εx3+121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εz3,kfzkf0=121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpe−εx3+121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εy3,where kfx, kfy, and kfz are the fracture permeabilities at x, y, and z directions, respectively (m2).We assemble equations (5), (6), (11)–(13), and (17) to establish the hydraulic-mechanical coupling model with dual-porosity dual-permeability in the coal seam. The bidirectional interactions include the coal deformation (M), gas sorption, and transport (H) fields. The equations are complex nonlinear second-order partial differential equations (PDEs) that are difficult to solve analytically [27]. We utilize the finite element (FE) method to obtain a numerical solution.


## 2.2.1. Gas Seepage-Diffusion in the Coal Matrix

Gas extraction reduces the pressure near borehole which will break the gas adsorption equilibrium in the coal matrix. The absorbed gas desorbs into the space of pores and transports to the fractures driven by the pressure and concentration gradients via diffusion and seepage accordingly [34, 35]. Gas in the coal matrix includes adsorbed and free gases and can be defined as(1)mm=ϕmρg+1−ϕm−ϕfVsgρsρgs,where ϕm is the porosity of the coal matrix, ρg is the gas density (kg/m3), ϕf is the porosity of the fracture, Vsg is the absorbed gas content (m3/kg), ρs is the density of the coal skeleton (kg/m3), and ρgs is the gas density under standard conditions (kg/m3).According to the ideal gas law, gas density can be expressed as(2)ρg=MgRTp,where Mg is the gas molar mass (kg/mol), R is the gas molar constant (J/mol⋅K), p is the gas pressure (MPa), and T is the coal seam temperature (K).The Langmuir equation is used to define the absorbed gas content:(3)Vsg=apm1+bpm,where a is the Langmuir volume constant (m3/kg), b is the Langmuir pressure constant (1/MPa), and pm is the gas pressure in the coal matrix (MPa).By introducing the matrix seepage and diffusion terms, the mass conservation equation in the coal matrix can be defined as(4)∂mm∂t+∇⋅−MgpmRTkmμ∇pm=−MgτRTpm−pf,where t is the time (s); pf is the gas pressure (MPa); τ is the gas desorption time, which reflects the gas diffusion capacity of the coal matrix; μ is the dynamic viscosity of gas (Pa·s); ▽ is the Hamiltonian operator; and km is the permeability of the coal matrix (m2).Submitting equations (1)–(3) into equation (4), the governing equation for gas transportation in the coal matrix system is obtained as follows:(5)MgRT∂pmϕm∂t+MgpsRTs∂∂t1−ϕm−ϕfabρs1+bpm−∇⋅MgpmRTkmμ∇pm=−MgτRTpm−pf.


## 2.2.2. Gas Seepage in Fractures

The coal matrix system provides the mass source for the fracture system. According to the mass conservation, the governing equation of gas seepage in the fracture system considering the Klinkenberg effect can be defined as(6)MgRT∂ϕf∂tpf+∂pf∂tϕf+∇⋅−MgpfRTkfμ1+mpf∇pf=1−ϕfMgτRTpm−pf,where ρfg is the gas density in fracture (kg/m3), kf is the permeability of fracture (m2), and m is the Klinkenberg factor (MPa).


## 2.2.3. Coal Deformation

Coal mass is regarded as the inhomogeneous elastic medium with dual porosity (matrix pores and fractures) and dual permeability (matrix and fracture permeability). Coal deformation reflects the combined actions of gas pressure in the matrix pore and fracture, gas sorption induced stress, and overburden stress, which can be expressed as [36](7)εij=12Gσij−16G−19Kσkkδij+13Kαmpm+αfpfδij+13εsδij,where δij is the Kronecker factor, εs is the sorption induced strain, G is the shear modulus (GPa), K = E/1−2υ is the bulk modulus of coal mass (Pa), E is the elastic modulus (GPa), v is the Poisson ratio, αm = 1−K/anKn and αf = 1 − K/Ks are the Biot coefficients for matrix and fracture, Ks is the bulk modulus of the coal skeleton (MPa), an is the width of the coal matrix (m), and kn is the stiffness of the fracture (Pa).The Langmuir-type equation is applied to express the relation between sorption-induced strain and gas pressure [37]:(8)εs=εlpmpm+pl,where ε1 is the maximum sorption-induced strain and pl is the gas pressure corresponding to 50% of the maximum sorption-induced strain.The strain-displacement relation of coal is satisfied with the Cauchy formula:(9)εij=12ui,j+uj,i,where ui is the displacement at i direction (m) with i = x, y, z.According to the elastic mechanics, the stress equilibrium relation can be expressed as(10)σij,j+Fi=0,where Fi is the body force of coal.Submitting equations (8)–(10) into equation (10), we can derive the governing equation of coal deformation:(11)Gui,jj+G1−2υuj,ji−αmPm,i−αfPf,i−Kεs,i+Fi=0.


## 2.2.4. Coupling Terms

Porosity and permeability play a significant role in the coupling relationship between coal deformation and gas transportation in the coal seam [23, 33]. According to [12], the porosity of the matrix can be defined as(12)ϕm=11+Sϕm01+S0+αmS−S0,where S = εv + pm/Ks − αTT − εs, S0 = εv0 + pm0/Ks − αTT0 − εs0, εv is the volume strain of coal; and the subscript “0” represents the initial value of the corresponding variable.The cubic law is adopted to establish the relation between matrix porosity and matrix permeability:(13)kmkm0=11+S1+S0+αmS−S0ϕm03.Based on the definition of fracture porosity, the change in fracture porosity can be derived as [38–40](14)ϕfϕf0=1+Δbb0.Due to a change in effective stress, the corresponding fracture dilation can be obtained as follows [41, 42](15)Δb=−b0KfΔσe=−3b0ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εv.Experiments show that the permeability of the coal fracture varies with porosity and is denoted as follows [43]:(16)kfkf0=ϕfϕf03=1−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εv3.The existence of fractures in coal seams often makes the coal permeability show anisotropic characteristics. Considering the anisotropy characteristics, the fracture permeability in the coal seam can be recovered as [18, 38](17)kfxkf0=121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εy3+121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εz3,kfykf0=121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εx3+121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εz3,kfzkf0=121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpe−εx3+121−3ϕf0+3Kf/KεlΔpmpl+Δpm−εy3,where kfx, kfy, and kfz are the fracture permeabilities at x, y, and z directions, respectively (m2).We assemble equations (5), (6), (11)–(13), and (17) to establish the hydraulic-mechanical coupling model with dual-porosity dual-permeability in the coal seam. The bidirectional interactions include the coal deformation (M), gas sorption, and transport (H) fields. The equations are complex nonlinear second-order partial differential equations (PDEs) that are difficult to solve analytically [27]. We utilize the finite element (FE) method to obtain a numerical solution.


## 3. Modelling of Underground Gas Extraction Based on the Proposed Model

### 3.1. Parameter Setting and Geometry Model

Changping Coal Mine is located in Jincheng, Shanxi Province, China. No. 3 coal seam in the Shanxi formation with a uniform thickness (5∼6 m) is rich in mine gas (8.27∼21.54 m3/t), which may cause a gas dynamic disaster such as gas outburst or gas explosion. We utilize the proposed mathematical model to simulate the characteristics of gas migration in the coal seam during underground gas extraction using COMSOL Multiphysics. The block with 20 m (length) × 15 m (width) × 5 m (height) is used as the geometry model. The geometry model and boundary conditions are shown in Figure 4.Figure 4
Geometry model and boundary conditions.For coal deformation, the basal boundary is zero deformation with slip conditions applied to the surrounding boundaries and overburden loading on the upper boundary [25, 26]. For the gas flow, a constant pressure of 75 kPa (suction pressure of 26 kPa) is applied to the extraction well. Other boundaries are insulated for gas flow. The initial gas pressure, matrix permeability, and fracture permeability are set as 1.52 MPa, 5.14 × 10−19 m2, and 2.18 × 10−17 m2, respectively. At the beginning, the coal seam is in free stress state. The related parameters used in gas extraction simulation are shown in Table 1.Table 1
Related parameters for simulation of underground gas extraction.
Parameter
Value
Source
Initial porosity of the matrix,ϕm0
0.045
Experiments
Gas dynamic viscosity,μ (Pa·s)
1.84 × 10−5
[38]
Langmuir volume constants,a (m3·kg−1)
2.45
Experiments
Langmuir pressure constants,b (MPa−1)
0.018
Experiments
Width of the coal matrix,an (m)
2 × 10−2
Estimation
Initial fracture porosity,ϕf0
0.015
Experiments
Desorption time,τ (days)
9.2
[12]
Poisson’s ratio, ν
0.28
Experiments
Klinkenberg factor, m (MPa)
0.76
[26]
Coal seam temperature,T (K)
305.15
Field test
Strain constant,εl
0.0083
[27]
Coal skeleton density,ρs (kg·m−3)
1420
Experiments
Pressure constant,pl (MPa)
3.55
[27]
Initial gas pressure,p (MPa)
1.52
Field testThe anisotropy coefficient of fracture permeability in the coal seam is defined as follows:(18)λ=1−kfzkfx,where the anisotropy coefficient ranges from 0 to 1. The larger the value, the more obvious the anisotropy will be.In order to analyze the relationship between permeability anisotropy and gas production, permeability evolution, matrix seepage term, and gas pressure, three scenarios of different permeability anisotropy coefficients were simulated, namely,λ = 0, 0.3, and 0.6, respectively.


### 3.2. Modelling Results of Underground Gas Extraction

#### 3.2.1. Relationship between Anisotropy and Gas Pressure

The evolution of parameters, such as gas pressure and permeability, on reference point A is quantitatively analyzed to illustrate the impact of permeability anisotropy on gas extraction. Figure5 shows the location of reference points A (11.5, 0, 2), B (10, 0, 4), and C (18, 0, 4).Figure 5
Location of reference points.Different anisotropy coefficients of permeability correspond to different gas pressure distribution characteristics. To compare the results of gas extraction of different anisotropic permeabilities, the anisotropic coefficient of 0 is selected as the standard scenario. In Figure6, with the increase of extraction time, the gas pressure at reference point A decreases gradually and the decreasing speed decreases slowly. Greater anisotropy coefficient of fracture permeability leads to lower gas extraction efficiency. This phenomenon becomes more obvious when the extraction time continuously increases. Taking the anisotropic coefficient of 0.3 and 0.6 as an example, the extraction efficiencies are 0.83 and 0.64 after 90 days’ gas extraction, respectively.Figure 6
(a) Gas pressure and (b) extraction efficiency at point A for different anisotropic coefficients.
(a)
(b)Figure7 shows variation in the pressure gradient of the matrix-fracture system with extraction time. The pressure gradient increases first and then decreases. At the initial stage of gas extraction, the pressure gradient of the matrix-fracture system is more significant than that in the late stage because of the anisotropy of fracture permeability. Due to the larger gas pressure gradient at the beginning, the rate of gas desorption from the coal matrix is faster. However, at the later stage of extraction, the pressure gradient within the matrix-fracture system of greater anisotropic coefficient is larger than that of smaller anisotropic coefficient.Figure 7
Gas pressure gradient within the matrix-fracture system.


#### 3.2.2. Evolution of Permeability

Figures8–10 present the matrix and fracture permeability evolution under different anisotropic coefficients. With the increase in gas extraction time, both matrix permeability and fracture permeability increase in a polynomial form. The increase rate of matrix permeability is greater than that of fracture permeability. The fracture permeability in x and y directions have the same increasing trend, indicating that the influence of gas extraction on them is basically similar. The magnitudes of the matrix permeability ratio are 1.65, 1.6, and 1.57 corresponding to anisotropy coefficients 0, 0.3, and 0.6, respectively.Figure 8
Permeability evolution with the anisotropic coefficientλ = 0. (a) Matrix permeability. (b) Fracture permeability.
(a)
(b)Figure 9
Permeability evolution with the anisotropic coefficientλ = 0.3. (a) Matrix permeability. (b) Fracture permeability.
(a)
(b)Figure 10
Permeability evolution with the anisotropic coefficientλ = 0.6. (a) Matrix permeability. (b) Fracture permeability.
(a)
(b)


#### 3.2.3. Influence of the Matrix Seepage Term on Gas Pressure

The adsorbed gas desorbs to form free gas in the matrix system and then transports to the fracture system by means of diffusion and seepage. The proportion of matrix seepage flux to total flux from the matrix to fracture system is analyzed, as well as the influence of matrix seepage on gas extraction.Figure11 shows that the seepage proportion increases rapidly at first and then decreases and eventually tends to be flat. The more obvious the permeability anisotropy is, the smaller the exchange capacity between matrix system and fracture system is. When the anisotropy coefficient is 0, the seepage flow at point A decreases with the increase of gas extraction, and the seepage proportion approaches 0.1% from 0.35% at the initial stage. When λ = 0.3, the seepage flow at point A shows a uniform upward trend and finally a stable trend, and the seepage flow proportion is ultimately 0.09%. When λ = 0.6, the seepage proportion of point A is up to 1.3%, and the seepage flow proportion is finally 1%.Figure 11
Evolution of proportion of matrix seepage flux to total flux from the matrix to fracture.It can be inferred that the maximum proportion of seepage flux increases with the increase of anisotropic coefficient initially. However, in the middle and late stage of extraction, the proportion of seepage flux to total flux will not change.To clarify the influence of the matrix seepage term on gas extraction, the matrix seepage term was removed from the proposed governing equation of gas migration in the coal matrix:(19)MgRT∂pmϕm∂t+MgRTs∂∂t1−ϕm−ϕfabρsps1+bpm=−MgτRTpm−pf.Equations (6), (11)–(13), (17),and (19) were assembled to establish the hydraulic-mechanical coupling model with single permeability. This single-permeability model was compared with the dual-permeability model by simulation of underground gas extraction.It is generally believed that the amount of gas migration from the matrix system to the fracture system is constant. The permeability of the matrix seepage term is too small that the gas is difficult to seepage into the fracture system. Therefore, the calculation result of the dual-porosity and single-permeability model is larger generally. In this paper, gas pressure under the same anisotropic coefficient (λ = 0.6) is used to characterize the difference between the dual-porosity dual-permeability model and dual-porosity single-permeability model, as well as the influence of the seepage term on gas extraction. Parameters on three points are discussed, with locations A (11.5, 0, 2), B (10, 0, 4), and C (18, 0, 4). To accurately analyze the seepage term, the duration is 360 h with an interval of 10 h.Figure12 presents the gas pressure distribution and pressure ratio of dual-permeability to single-permeability model. A cosine fluctuation shape is found on the curves in the early stage of gas extraction. The pressure ratio decreases first and then increases followed by a decrease. With the continuous gas extraction, the gas pressure ratio of dual-permeability model decreases obviously, while the pressure gradient within the dual-permeability and single-permeability models at the same position increases. The lowest gas pressure ratios of dual-permeability model to single-permeability model at Points A, B, and C are 0.98739, 0.98966, and 0.99369, respectively. Hence, the seepage term in the coal matrix can enhance the efficiency of gas extraction and plays a promoting role in the specific stage of gas extraction.Figure 12
Comparative analysis of gas pressure in two models at different locations. Gas pressure and pressure ratio at (a) Point A, (b) Point B, and (c) Point C.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)


## 3.1. Parameter Setting and Geometry Model

Changping Coal Mine is located in Jincheng, Shanxi Province, China. No. 3 coal seam in the Shanxi formation with a uniform thickness (5∼6 m) is rich in mine gas (8.27∼21.54 m3/t), which may cause a gas dynamic disaster such as gas outburst or gas explosion. We utilize the proposed mathematical model to simulate the characteristics of gas migration in the coal seam during underground gas extraction using COMSOL Multiphysics. The block with 20 m (length) × 15 m (width) × 5 m (height) is used as the geometry model. The geometry model and boundary conditions are shown in Figure 4.Figure 4
Geometry model and boundary conditions.For coal deformation, the basal boundary is zero deformation with slip conditions applied to the surrounding boundaries and overburden loading on the upper boundary [25, 26]. For the gas flow, a constant pressure of 75 kPa (suction pressure of 26 kPa) is applied to the extraction well. Other boundaries are insulated for gas flow. The initial gas pressure, matrix permeability, and fracture permeability are set as 1.52 MPa, 5.14 × 10−19 m2, and 2.18 × 10−17 m2, respectively. At the beginning, the coal seam is in free stress state. The related parameters used in gas extraction simulation are shown in Table 1.Table 1
Related parameters for simulation of underground gas extraction.
Parameter
Value
Source
Initial porosity of the matrix,ϕm0
0.045
Experiments
Gas dynamic viscosity,μ (Pa·s)
1.84 × 10−5
[38]
Langmuir volume constants,a (m3·kg−1)
2.45
Experiments
Langmuir pressure constants,b (MPa−1)
0.018
Experiments
Width of the coal matrix,an (m)
2 × 10−2
Estimation
Initial fracture porosity,ϕf0
0.015
Experiments
Desorption time,τ (days)
9.2
[12]
Poisson’s ratio, ν
0.28
Experiments
Klinkenberg factor, m (MPa)
0.76
[26]
Coal seam temperature,T (K)
305.15
Field test
Strain constant,εl
0.0083
[27]
Coal skeleton density,ρs (kg·m−3)
1420
Experiments
Pressure constant,pl (MPa)
3.55
[27]
Initial gas pressure,p (MPa)
1.52
Field testThe anisotropy coefficient of fracture permeability in the coal seam is defined as follows:(18)λ=1−kfzkfx,where the anisotropy coefficient ranges from 0 to 1. The larger the value, the more obvious the anisotropy will be.In order to analyze the relationship between permeability anisotropy and gas production, permeability evolution, matrix seepage term, and gas pressure, three scenarios of different permeability anisotropy coefficients were simulated, namely,λ = 0, 0.3, and 0.6, respectively.


## 3.2. Modelling Results of Underground Gas Extraction

### 3.2.1. Relationship between Anisotropy and Gas Pressure

The evolution of parameters, such as gas pressure and permeability, on reference point A is quantitatively analyzed to illustrate the impact of permeability anisotropy on gas extraction. Figure5 shows the location of reference points A (11.5, 0, 2), B (10, 0, 4), and C (18, 0, 4).Figure 5
Location of reference points.Different anisotropy coefficients of permeability correspond to different gas pressure distribution characteristics. To compare the results of gas extraction of different anisotropic permeabilities, the anisotropic coefficient of 0 is selected as the standard scenario. In Figure6, with the increase of extraction time, the gas pressure at reference point A decreases gradually and the decreasing speed decreases slowly. Greater anisotropy coefficient of fracture permeability leads to lower gas extraction efficiency. This phenomenon becomes more obvious when the extraction time continuously increases. Taking the anisotropic coefficient of 0.3 and 0.6 as an example, the extraction efficiencies are 0.83 and 0.64 after 90 days’ gas extraction, respectively.Figure 6
(a) Gas pressure and (b) extraction efficiency at point A for different anisotropic coefficients.
(a)
(b)Figure7 shows variation in the pressure gradient of the matrix-fracture system with extraction time. The pressure gradient increases first and then decreases. At the initial stage of gas extraction, the pressure gradient of the matrix-fracture system is more significant than that in the late stage because of the anisotropy of fracture permeability. Due to the larger gas pressure gradient at the beginning, the rate of gas desorption from the coal matrix is faster. However, at the later stage of extraction, the pressure gradient within the matrix-fracture system of greater anisotropic coefficient is larger than that of smaller anisotropic coefficient.Figure 7
Gas pressure gradient within the matrix-fracture system.


### 3.2.2. Evolution of Permeability

Figures8–10 present the matrix and fracture permeability evolution under different anisotropic coefficients. With the increase in gas extraction time, both matrix permeability and fracture permeability increase in a polynomial form. The increase rate of matrix permeability is greater than that of fracture permeability. The fracture permeability in x and y directions have the same increasing trend, indicating that the influence of gas extraction on them is basically similar. The magnitudes of the matrix permeability ratio are 1.65, 1.6, and 1.57 corresponding to anisotropy coefficients 0, 0.3, and 0.6, respectively.Figure 8
Permeability evolution with the anisotropic coefficientλ = 0. (a) Matrix permeability. (b) Fracture permeability.
(a)
(b)Figure 9
Permeability evolution with the anisotropic coefficientλ = 0.3. (a) Matrix permeability. (b) Fracture permeability.
(a)
(b)Figure 10
Permeability evolution with the anisotropic coefficientλ = 0.6. (a) Matrix permeability. (b) Fracture permeability.
(a)
(b)


### 3.2.3. Influence of the Matrix Seepage Term on Gas Pressure

The adsorbed gas desorbs to form free gas in the matrix system and then transports to the fracture system by means of diffusion and seepage. The proportion of matrix seepage flux to total flux from the matrix to fracture system is analyzed, as well as the influence of matrix seepage on gas extraction.Figure11 shows that the seepage proportion increases rapidly at first and then decreases and eventually tends to be flat. The more obvious the permeability anisotropy is, the smaller the exchange capacity between matrix system and fracture system is. When the anisotropy coefficient is 0, the seepage flow at point A decreases with the increase of gas extraction, and the seepage proportion approaches 0.1% from 0.35% at the initial stage. When λ = 0.3, the seepage flow at point A shows a uniform upward trend and finally a stable trend, and the seepage flow proportion is ultimately 0.09%. When λ = 0.6, the seepage proportion of point A is up to 1.3%, and the seepage flow proportion is finally 1%.Figure 11
Evolution of proportion of matrix seepage flux to total flux from the matrix to fracture.It can be inferred that the maximum proportion of seepage flux increases with the increase of anisotropic coefficient initially. However, in the middle and late stage of extraction, the proportion of seepage flux to total flux will not change.To clarify the influence of the matrix seepage term on gas extraction, the matrix seepage term was removed from the proposed governing equation of gas migration in the coal matrix:(19)MgRT∂pmϕm∂t+MgRTs∂∂t1−ϕm−ϕfabρsps1+bpm=−MgτRTpm−pf.Equations (6), (11)–(13), (17),and (19) were assembled to establish the hydraulic-mechanical coupling model with single permeability. This single-permeability model was compared with the dual-permeability model by simulation of underground gas extraction.It is generally believed that the amount of gas migration from the matrix system to the fracture system is constant. The permeability of the matrix seepage term is too small that the gas is difficult to seepage into the fracture system. Therefore, the calculation result of the dual-porosity and single-permeability model is larger generally. In this paper, gas pressure under the same anisotropic coefficient (λ = 0.6) is used to characterize the difference between the dual-porosity dual-permeability model and dual-porosity single-permeability model, as well as the influence of the seepage term on gas extraction. Parameters on three points are discussed, with locations A (11.5, 0, 2), B (10, 0, 4), and C (18, 0, 4). To accurately analyze the seepage term, the duration is 360 h with an interval of 10 h.Figure12 presents the gas pressure distribution and pressure ratio of dual-permeability to single-permeability model. A cosine fluctuation shape is found on the curves in the early stage of gas extraction. The pressure ratio decreases first and then increases followed by a decrease. With the continuous gas extraction, the gas pressure ratio of dual-permeability model decreases obviously, while the pressure gradient within the dual-permeability and single-permeability models at the same position increases. The lowest gas pressure ratios of dual-permeability model to single-permeability model at Points A, B, and C are 0.98739, 0.98966, and 0.99369, respectively. Hence, the seepage term in the coal matrix can enhance the efficiency of gas extraction and plays a promoting role in the specific stage of gas extraction.Figure 12
Comparative analysis of gas pressure in two models at different locations. Gas pressure and pressure ratio at (a) Point A, (b) Point B, and (c) Point C.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)


## 3.2.1. Relationship between Anisotropy and Gas Pressure

The evolution of parameters, such as gas pressure and permeability, on reference point A is quantitatively analyzed to illustrate the impact of permeability anisotropy on gas extraction. Figure5 shows the location of reference points A (11.5, 0, 2), B (10, 0, 4), and C (18, 0, 4).Figure 5
Location of reference points.Different anisotropy coefficients of permeability correspond to different gas pressure distribution characteristics. To compare the results of gas extraction of different anisotropic permeabilities, the anisotropic coefficient of 0 is selected as the standard scenario. In Figure6, with the increase of extraction time, the gas pressure at reference point A decreases gradually and the decreasing speed decreases slowly. Greater anisotropy coefficient of fracture permeability leads to lower gas extraction efficiency. This phenomenon becomes more obvious when the extraction time continuously increases. Taking the anisotropic coefficient of 0.3 and 0.6 as an example, the extraction efficiencies are 0.83 and 0.64 after 90 days’ gas extraction, respectively.Figure 6
(a) Gas pressure and (b) extraction efficiency at point A for different anisotropic coefficients.
(a)
(b)Figure7 shows variation in the pressure gradient of the matrix-fracture system with extraction time. The pressure gradient increases first and then decreases. At the initial stage of gas extraction, the pressure gradient of the matrix-fracture system is more significant than that in the late stage because of the anisotropy of fracture permeability. Due to the larger gas pressure gradient at the beginning, the rate of gas desorption from the coal matrix is faster. However, at the later stage of extraction, the pressure gradient within the matrix-fracture system of greater anisotropic coefficient is larger than that of smaller anisotropic coefficient.Figure 7
Gas pressure gradient within the matrix-fracture system.


## 3.2.2. Evolution of Permeability

Figures8–10 present the matrix and fracture permeability evolution under different anisotropic coefficients. With the increase in gas extraction time, both matrix permeability and fracture permeability increase in a polynomial form. The increase rate of matrix permeability is greater than that of fracture permeability. The fracture permeability in x and y directions have the same increasing trend, indicating that the influence of gas extraction on them is basically similar. The magnitudes of the matrix permeability ratio are 1.65, 1.6, and 1.57 corresponding to anisotropy coefficients 0, 0.3, and 0.6, respectively.Figure 8
Permeability evolution with the anisotropic coefficientλ = 0. (a) Matrix permeability. (b) Fracture permeability.
(a)
(b)Figure 9
Permeability evolution with the anisotropic coefficientλ = 0.3. (a) Matrix permeability. (b) Fracture permeability.
(a)
(b)Figure 10
Permeability evolution with the anisotropic coefficientλ = 0.6. (a) Matrix permeability. (b) Fracture permeability.
(a)
(b)


## 3.2.3. Influence of the Matrix Seepage Term on Gas Pressure

The adsorbed gas desorbs to form free gas in the matrix system and then transports to the fracture system by means of diffusion and seepage. The proportion of matrix seepage flux to total flux from the matrix to fracture system is analyzed, as well as the influence of matrix seepage on gas extraction.Figure11 shows that the seepage proportion increases rapidly at first and then decreases and eventually tends to be flat. The more obvious the permeability anisotropy is, the smaller the exchange capacity between matrix system and fracture system is. When the anisotropy coefficient is 0, the seepage flow at point A decreases with the increase of gas extraction, and the seepage proportion approaches 0.1% from 0.35% at the initial stage. When λ = 0.3, the seepage flow at point A shows a uniform upward trend and finally a stable trend, and the seepage flow proportion is ultimately 0.09%. When λ = 0.6, the seepage proportion of point A is up to 1.3%, and the seepage flow proportion is finally 1%.Figure 11
Evolution of proportion of matrix seepage flux to total flux from the matrix to fracture.It can be inferred that the maximum proportion of seepage flux increases with the increase of anisotropic coefficient initially. However, in the middle and late stage of extraction, the proportion of seepage flux to total flux will not change.To clarify the influence of the matrix seepage term on gas extraction, the matrix seepage term was removed from the proposed governing equation of gas migration in the coal matrix:(19)MgRT∂pmϕm∂t+MgRTs∂∂t1−ϕm−ϕfabρsps1+bpm=−MgτRTpm−pf.Equations (6), (11)–(13), (17),and (19) were assembled to establish the hydraulic-mechanical coupling model with single permeability. This single-permeability model was compared with the dual-permeability model by simulation of underground gas extraction.It is generally believed that the amount of gas migration from the matrix system to the fracture system is constant. The permeability of the matrix seepage term is too small that the gas is difficult to seepage into the fracture system. Therefore, the calculation result of the dual-porosity and single-permeability model is larger generally. In this paper, gas pressure under the same anisotropic coefficient (λ = 0.6) is used to characterize the difference between the dual-porosity dual-permeability model and dual-porosity single-permeability model, as well as the influence of the seepage term on gas extraction. Parameters on three points are discussed, with locations A (11.5, 0, 2), B (10, 0, 4), and C (18, 0, 4). To accurately analyze the seepage term, the duration is 360 h with an interval of 10 h.Figure12 presents the gas pressure distribution and pressure ratio of dual-permeability to single-permeability model. A cosine fluctuation shape is found on the curves in the early stage of gas extraction. The pressure ratio decreases first and then increases followed by a decrease. With the continuous gas extraction, the gas pressure ratio of dual-permeability model decreases obviously, while the pressure gradient within the dual-permeability and single-permeability models at the same position increases. The lowest gas pressure ratios of dual-permeability model to single-permeability model at Points A, B, and C are 0.98739, 0.98966, and 0.99369, respectively. Hence, the seepage term in the coal matrix can enhance the efficiency of gas extraction and plays a promoting role in the specific stage of gas extraction.Figure 12
Comparative analysis of gas pressure in two models at different locations. Gas pressure and pressure ratio at (a) Point A, (b) Point B, and (c) Point C.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)


## 4. Conclusions

(1)
The NMR curve of pore diameter distribution in the coal sample has an independent bimodal shape with large difference between the two peaks. The micropore is the main pore structure, accounting for 91%∼96% of all pores. The micropores and medium pores are not connected. The pore throat aperture which is smaller than 0.1μm accounts for more than 90% of all pore throats. This evidences the assumption of the dual-porosity dual-permeability model.
(2)
Considering the mass exchange within the pore and fracture, the matrix permeability is proposed. The hydraulic-mechanical coupling model considering the fracture anisotropy and matrix seepage term is constructed for underground gas extraction simulation.
(3)
The proposed hydraulic-mechanical coupling model with dual-porosity dual-permeability is applied to simulate gas extraction of No. 3 coal seam in Changping Coal Mine. The pressure gradient within matrix-fracture increases first and then decreases. The pressure gradient and anisotropic coefficient are proportional with extraction time in the initial stage. The increased rate of matrix permeability is larger than that of fracture permeability. The matrix seepage term will promote gas extraction at a specific stage of gas extraction.
(4)
The seepage and diffusion flux are proportional to the anisotropy coefficient. The proportion of matrix seepage flux increases first and then decreases to a certain value. The simulation results of No. 3 coal seam in Changping Coal Mine show that the matrix seepage flux accounts for 0.1% of the total flux.The hydraulic-mechanical coupling model with dual-porosity and anisotropy characteristics developed in this work not only offers useful framework to investigate important technical challenges associated with underground mine gas extraction but can also be applied to other forms of surface coalbed methane and shale gas development, as well as CO2 geological sequestration in unconventional reservoirs.



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*Source: 4534835-2019-08-05.xml*