Critical pore size for micropore filling in coal samples with different rank coals

The objectives of this study were to explore the occurrence and migration of coalbed methane in coals of different ranks and reveal the microscopic reservoir space and the mechanism of coalbed methane. To meet these objectives, this study selected six coal samples of different coal ranks for low-pressure N(2) adsorption experiments, explored the critical pore filling characteristics of packed N(2) molecules in the coals, and analyzed the low-pressure N(2) adsorption/desorption experimental isotherms using the DFT method and DA equation based on the micropore filling theory. Finally, the critical filling pressure and pore size range for micropore filling were determined, and the analysis results were verified by combining the Langmuir, DA, and BET equations. The results showed that, from low to high coal rank, the N(2) adsorption/desorption isotherms of the coal samples transition from type Ⅱ to type Ⅰ. The proportion of N(2) molecules in low-rank coals in the form of micropore filling and monolayer adsorption was higher than that in high-rank coals. The critical pressure and critical pore size for micropore filling exhibited U-shaped correlations with the coal rank. Low-rank coals (lignite and long flame coal) were gradually filled in the relative pressure range P/P(0) ≈ 1E-4–0.03, and medium- and high-rank coals (gas coal, 1/3 coking coal, lean coal, and anthracite) were filled in the relative pressure range P/P(0) ≈ 1E-4–0.01; the corresponding critical pore size ranges were 1.7–2.19 and 1.61–2.00 nm, respectively.