Temperature significantly
affects the storage and transport of
coalbed methane (CBM). Studies of geothermal distribution characteristics
are important for the exploration and exploitation of CBM. In this
study, more than 150 heat flow temperature data from coalbed methane
wells in the Qinshui Basin were analyzed to investigate the geothermal
distribution and its controlling factors. The results show that the
geothermal gradient of the no. 3 coal seam ranges from 0 to 3.7 °C/hm
with an average of 1.6 °C/hm, and the terrestrial heat flow of
the no. 3 coal reservoir ranges from 0.9 to 94.6 mW/m2 with
an average of 41.5 mW/m2. The reservoir temperature shows
high values in the central and northwest parts of the basin, while
the east and west edges of the basin show negative geothermal anomalies.
It is found that groundwater has significant effects on the geothermal
distribution in the Qinshui Basin, and with the increase of the groundwater
level, the geothermal gradient decreases linearly. In addition, the
geothermal gradient and terrestrial heat flow first increase and then
tend to be stable with the increase in value of the total dissolved
substances. Besides, with an increase in floor elevation, the geothermal
gradient first increases linearly and then decreases linearly, obtaining
a maximum value at about 450 m (transition floor elevation). This
phenomenon is the result of the balance between heat supplying and
heat losing. The geothermal distribution characteristics in the Qinshui
Basin determine the reservoir temperature of the coalbed methane,
and in turn, the reservoir temperature affects the adsorption, desorption,
and diffusion behaviors of coalbed methane in situ.
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