Experimental study of carbonated water imbibition in deep coal rocks using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Authors

  • Liu Yang State Key Laboratory for Tunnel Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing 100083, P. R. China
  • Zhen Liu State Key Laboratory for Tunnel Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing 100083, P. R. China
  • Ziheng Zhao* State Key Laboratory for Tunnel Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing 100083, P. R. China (Email: 17731183524@163.com)
  • Wenhong Li China National Petroleum Corporation U.S.A. Branch, Beijing 102200, P. R. China
  • Jiping Ding China Petroleum Engineering Technology Research and Development Co., Beijing 10053, P. R. China
  • Linghui Sun China Academy of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Beijing 100083, P. R. China

Abstract

The deep eastern edge of the Ordos Basin is rich in coalbed methane, presenting great potential for development. Meanwhile, CO₂ imbibition is an important method to increase production. To study the CO₂-water-rock interactions and microstructural damage characteristics before and after supercritical carbon dioxide immersion in deep coal rocks, CO₂ imbibition experiments were conducted on these rocks by using nuclear magnetic resonance and scanning electron microscopy imaging techniques. The results showed that CO₂ imbibition leads to pore dilatation and reveals the key role of coal rock anisotropy on imbibition efficiency under different physicochemical conditions. Specifically, the immersion of CO₂ produces cracks due to the brittle action of the coal rock, as well as calcite dissolution that exacerbates crack production and expansion. Due to adsorption of CO₂, part of the coal rock becomes swollen, which leads to detachment and changed the physical properties and surface characteristics of the coal rock.

Document Type: Original article

Cited as: Yang, L., Liu, Z., Zhao, Z., Li, W., Ding, J., Sun, L. Experimental study of carbonated water imbibition in deep coal rocks using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Capillarity, 2025, 16(2): 27-38. https://doi.org/10.46690/capi.2025.08.01

Keywords:

Coal rock, imbibition, carbonated water imbibition, nuclear magnetic resonance, pore structure

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Published

2025-06-14