New Model for Coal Gas Diffusion Based on the Fractal Tree-Like Bifurcation Network Structure

Abstract

To investigate the nonstationary diffusion and transport law of gas in coal, an innovative fractal diffusion model based on fractal theory and a treelike bifurcation network under different diffusion modes were built. In addition, the quantitative relationships among the diffusion coefficient, temperature, pressure, and structural parameters were determined. The model considers the effect of pore tortuosity and connectivity on gas diffusion, which renders it more realistic than the previously presented single-pore diffusion models. Moreover, each parameter in the model has a definite physical meaning and does not contain any empirical constants. The applicability of the new model was verified by experimental data and other model. Subsequently, a sensitivity analysis of the gas diffusion coefficient was performed to study the effect of the microstructural parameters on gas diffusion. Finally, the dispersion degree of the diffusion coefficients at different temperatures and pressures was analyzed to determine the main influencing factors of gas diffusion at different diffusion stages in coal and study their evolution. The results show that the gas diffusion state is more sensitive to pressure variations. The diffusion behavior of gases in coal-based porous media is more influenced by the temperature and pressure at the beginning of the diffusion process.