Simulation of coal resistivity dynamics during methane adsorption and desorption using an electrical rock physics model

Abstract Understanding the correlation between coal resistivity and methane content is critical for optimizing coalbed methane (CBM) recovery and ensuring mining safety. Existing studies mainly rely on empirical trend fitting, leaving a gap in model-driven analyses of resistivity dynamics during met...

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Main Authors: Jiaqi Zou, Shuangquan Chen, Yuanji Li, Tingting Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09650-3
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author Jiaqi Zou
Shuangquan Chen
Yuanji Li
Tingting Yu
author_facet Jiaqi Zou
Shuangquan Chen
Yuanji Li
Tingting Yu
author_sort Jiaqi Zou
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Understanding the correlation between coal resistivity and methane content is critical for optimizing coalbed methane (CBM) recovery and ensuring mining safety. Existing studies mainly rely on empirical trend fitting, leaving a gap in model-driven analyses of resistivity dynamics during methane adsorption and desorption. This study develops a dual-coefficient electrical rock physics model integrating inorganic mineral composition, organic resistivity, methane adsorption–desorption behavior, and pore inclusion structures. Correction coefficients (0.2 for methane and 0.4 for organic resistivity) were introduced to address adsorption heterogeneity and structural complexity. Experimental validation on coal samples (density: 1.45 g/cm3, porosity: 5.5%) showed strong agreement between simulated and measured resistivity during adsorption (0.8882–3.6973 m3/t) and desorption (3.3974–2.1773 m3/t), with high correlation (R2 = 0.9815 adsorption, 0.9956 desorption; P-values = 0.9861, 0.9763). Sensitivity analysis revealed that mineral composition (e.g., quartz, clay) and inclusion aspect ratios (0–1) notably affect resistivity. Flattened inclusions (low aspect ratios) reduce resistivity more than spherical ones, especially at methane volumes lower than 0.15 m3/t. Organic content inversely correlates with resistivity; when the volume fraction exceeds 0.92, pore structure effects diminish. This work links microscopic adsorption mechanisms to macroscopic electrical properties, providing a predictive framework for CBM resource evaluation, CO2 storage monitoring, and coal mine hazard mitigation. The model adapts to diverse coal types and structural conditions, demonstrating broad applicability in research and industry.
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spelling doaj-art-6fde00fec96741838c9fef3dfae8080e2025-08-20T03:42:40ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-09650-3Simulation of coal resistivity dynamics during methane adsorption and desorption using an electrical rock physics modelJiaqi Zou0Shuangquan Chen1Yuanji Li2Tingting Yu3National Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, CNPC Key Laboratory of Geophysical Exploration, China University of Petroleum (Beijing)National Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, CNPC Key Laboratory of Geophysical Exploration, China University of Petroleum (Beijing)Department of Safety Engineering, Heilongjiang University of Science and TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Continental Shale Oil, Daqing Oilfield Limited CompanyAbstract Understanding the correlation between coal resistivity and methane content is critical for optimizing coalbed methane (CBM) recovery and ensuring mining safety. Existing studies mainly rely on empirical trend fitting, leaving a gap in model-driven analyses of resistivity dynamics during methane adsorption and desorption. This study develops a dual-coefficient electrical rock physics model integrating inorganic mineral composition, organic resistivity, methane adsorption–desorption behavior, and pore inclusion structures. Correction coefficients (0.2 for methane and 0.4 for organic resistivity) were introduced to address adsorption heterogeneity and structural complexity. Experimental validation on coal samples (density: 1.45 g/cm3, porosity: 5.5%) showed strong agreement between simulated and measured resistivity during adsorption (0.8882–3.6973 m3/t) and desorption (3.3974–2.1773 m3/t), with high correlation (R2 = 0.9815 adsorption, 0.9956 desorption; P-values = 0.9861, 0.9763). Sensitivity analysis revealed that mineral composition (e.g., quartz, clay) and inclusion aspect ratios (0–1) notably affect resistivity. Flattened inclusions (low aspect ratios) reduce resistivity more than spherical ones, especially at methane volumes lower than 0.15 m3/t. Organic content inversely correlates with resistivity; when the volume fraction exceeds 0.92, pore structure effects diminish. This work links microscopic adsorption mechanisms to macroscopic electrical properties, providing a predictive framework for CBM resource evaluation, CO2 storage monitoring, and coal mine hazard mitigation. The model adapts to diverse coal types and structural conditions, demonstrating broad applicability in research and industry.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09650-3Coalbed methaneElectrical rock physics modelingAdsorption and desorptionCorrection factorsApplicability analysis
spellingShingle Jiaqi Zou
Shuangquan Chen
Yuanji Li
Tingting Yu
Simulation of coal resistivity dynamics during methane adsorption and desorption using an electrical rock physics model
Scientific Reports
Coalbed methane
Electrical rock physics modeling
Adsorption and desorption
Correction factors
Applicability analysis
title Simulation of coal resistivity dynamics during methane adsorption and desorption using an electrical rock physics model
title_full Simulation of coal resistivity dynamics during methane adsorption and desorption using an electrical rock physics model
title_fullStr Simulation of coal resistivity dynamics during methane adsorption and desorption using an electrical rock physics model
title_full_unstemmed Simulation of coal resistivity dynamics during methane adsorption and desorption using an electrical rock physics model
title_short Simulation of coal resistivity dynamics during methane adsorption and desorption using an electrical rock physics model
title_sort simulation of coal resistivity dynamics during methane adsorption and desorption using an electrical rock physics model
topic Coalbed methane
Electrical rock physics modeling
Adsorption and desorption
Correction factors
Applicability analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09650-3
work_keys_str_mv AT jiaqizou simulationofcoalresistivitydynamicsduringmethaneadsorptionanddesorptionusinganelectricalrockphysicsmodel
AT shuangquanchen simulationofcoalresistivitydynamicsduringmethaneadsorptionanddesorptionusinganelectricalrockphysicsmodel
AT yuanjili simulationofcoalresistivitydynamicsduringmethaneadsorptionanddesorptionusinganelectricalrockphysicsmodel
AT tingtingyu simulationofcoalresistivitydynamicsduringmethaneadsorptionanddesorptionusinganelectricalrockphysicsmodel