Coal has various types of macerals, which have different
pore structures
and adsorption properties that change with coal’s thermal metamorphism.
In-depth study of the characteristics of different coal macerals,
especially the pore structure and adsorption properties, can better
predict the coal reservoir gas storage capacity and migration ability.
In this study, the sub-samples enriched in a specific maceral group
with different coal ranks and particle sizes were obtained by centrifugal
flotation experiments. Then, experiments containing low-temperature
N2 isotherm adsorption (LT-N2GA), low-temperature
CO2 isotherm adsorption (LT-CO2GA), and methane
isothermal adsorption were carried out on the sub-samples to quantitatively
analyze the evolution characteristics of pore structure and adsorption
properties of different maceral groups. The results showed the following:
(1) The separation effect of the light maceral groups by centrifugal
flotation experiments increased with the decrease of particle sizes,
which were treated with the heavy liquid of low and medium densities,
while that of the heavy maceral groups had the relatively best separation
effect in the particle sizes of 0.1–0.125 mm, which were treated
with the heavy liquid of high densities. (2) The vitrinite-enriched
samples had more ultra-micropores (mainly within the diameter range
of 0.4–0.65 nm), while the inertinite enriched samples had
more mesopores and transition pores (mainly within the diameter range
of 40–50 nm). (3) For the low-rank coal, inertinite had more
potential methane adsorption capacity. However, for the medium- and
high-rank coal, vitrinite had more potential methane adsorption capacity.
(4) For the low-rank coal, the adsorption potential and adsorption
space increased with the increase of the inertinite content, while
the adsorption potential, adsorption space, and surface free energy
for the medium- and high-rank coal increased with the increase of
vitrinite content. It is expected that the results can deepen the
understanding about the gas storage capacity and migration ability
and be used in the prevention of gas outburst and the reduction of
carbon emission.