Research on petrophysical properties and porosity evolution of fractured coal mass under cyclic impact for coalbed methane exploitation

Abstract

In the process of coalbed methane (CBM) extraction, coal seam penetration modification is frequently subjected to several cycle impact due to drilling-blasting method and deflagration fracturing method. Therefore, the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was utilized to investigate the impact cycle effect and confining pressure effect on dynamic behavior of coal. Furthermore, the low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was utilized to evaluate the modification of multiscale pore before and after 5 cycles impacts. Finally, the 3D profile scanner was utilized to quantify fracture surfaces and assess fracture roughness variation. The results showed that there existed the 6 MPa critical confining pressure that altered the dynamic mechanical properties of coal. Due to the combined effect of the confining pressure and cycle impact, the damage variable based on the energy method showed a log-normal distribution. With increasing strain rate, the micropores evolved into mesopores and macropores. There was a critical strain rate that caused the ratio of effective porosity to total porosity to shift from increasing to decreasing. Furthermore, the fracture roughness was shown to be positively correlated with the ratio and negatively correlated with seepage fractal dimension. The research findings can provide theoretical guidance for the safer and more efficient CBM exploitation.