Name: experimental study of the relationship between particle size and methane sorption capacity in shale
Uploaded: 2018-08-02T13:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Experimental Study of the Relationship Between Particle Size and Methane Sorption Capacity in Shale at JoVE.com

A lot of assistance was provided by Engineer Gang Chen and Tao Zhang. This work was financially supported by the Major State Research Development Program of China (Grant No.2016YFC0600202) and the China Geological Survey (CGS, Grant No. DD20160183). We thank anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments that greatly improved this paper.

1. Sample Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Sample characterization
	<ol>
		<li>Measure the total organic carbon (TOC) using a TOC apparatus (see Table of Materials) at a temperature of 20 &#176;C and a relative humidity of 65% (per standard GB/T 19145-2003).</li>
		<li>Perform a vitrinite reflectance measurement on polished sections of the shale using a photometer microscope (see Table of Materials).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Sample cleaning and crushing 
	NOT...

<ol>
	<li>Strapoc, D., Mastalerz, M., Schimmelmann, A., Drobniak, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Geochemical+constraints+on+the+origin+and+volume+of+gas+in+the+New+Albany+Shale+(Devonian-Mississippian),+eastern+Illinois+Basin.">Geochemical constraints on the origin and volume of gas in the New Albany Shale (Devonian-Mississippian), eastern Illinois Basin.</a> AAPG Bulletin. 94, 1713-1740 (2010).</li><li>Loucks, R. G., Ruppel, S. 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M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mississippian+Barnett+Shale,+Fort+Worth+basin,+north-central+Texas:+Gas-shale+play+with+multitrillion+cubic+foot+potential.">Mississippian Barnett Shale, Fort Worth basin, north-central Texas: Gas-shale play with multitrillion cubic foot potential.</a> AAPG Bulletin. 89, 155-175 (2005).</li><li>Jia, C. Z., Zheng, M., Zhang, Y. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Unconventional+hydrocarbon+resources+in+China+and+the+prospect+of+explora+exploration+and+development.">Unconventional hydrocarbon resources in China and the prospect of explora exploration and development.</a> Petroleum Exploration and Development. 39 (2), 129-136 (2012).</li><li>Hou, Y. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+pore+structure+on+methane+sorption+potential+of+shales.">Effect of pore structure on methane sorption potential of shales.</a> Petroleum Exploration and Development. 41 (2), 272-281 (2014).</li><li>Chalmers, G. R., Bustin, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+organic+matter+distribution+and+methane+capacity+of+the+lower+cretaceous+strata+of+northeastern+British+Columbia,+Canada.">The organic matter distribution and methane capacity of the lower cretaceous strata of northeastern British Columbia, Canada.</a> International Journal of Coal Geology. 70 (1-3), 223-239 (2007).</li><li>Kang, Y. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+particle+size+on+methane+sorption+capacity+of+shales.">Effect of particle size on methane sorption capacity of shales.</a> Natural Gas Geoscience. 28 (2), 272-279 (2017).</li><li>Wang, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adsorption+influence+factors+and+characteristics+of+adsorption+isotherm+for+shale+to+methane.">Adsorption influence factors and characteristics of adsorption isotherm for shale to methane.</a> Natural Gas Geoscience. 26 (3), 580-591 (2015).</li><li>Ruppel, T. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adsorption+of+methane+on+dry+coal+at+elevated+pressure.">Adsorption of methane on dry coal at elevated pressure.</a> Fuel. 53, 152-162 (1974).</li><li>Zhang, G. D., Han, Y. K., He, Z. P., Gao, X. Y., Chen, H. Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+sample+particle+size+on+the+adsorption+capacity+of+the+experimental+study+on+the+effect+of+shale+gas.">The sample particle size on the adsorption capacity of the experimental study on the effect of shale gas.</a> Exploration and Development. 6, 110-116 (2016).</li><li>Ross, D. J., Bustin, R. 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X., Qin, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isotherm+adsorption+of+coal+samples+with+different+grain+size.">Isotherm adsorption of coal samples with different grain size.</a> Journal of China University of Mining and Technology. 34, 427-432 (2005).</li><li>Wang, Z. X., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+discussion+on+the+structural+deformation+and+oil/gas+traps+on+the+western+side+of+the+Xuefeng+Mountain.">A discussion on the structural deformation and oil/gas traps on the western side of the Xuefeng Mountain.</a> Geological Bulletin of China. 31 (11), 1812-1825 (2012).</li><li>Xu, Z. Y., Liang, X., Wang, X. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Controlling+factors+for+shale+gas+sweet+spots+distribution+in+the+Upper+Yangtze+region:+a+case+study+of+the+Upper+Ordovician+Wufeng+Fm-Lower+Silurian+Longmaxi+Fm,+Sichuan+Basin.">Controlling factors for shale gas sweet spots distribution in the Upper Yangtze region: a case study of the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Fm-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Fm, Sichuan Basin.</a> Natural Gas Industry. 36 (9), 35-43 (2016).</li><li>Chalmers, G. L., Bustin, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lower+cretaceous+gas+shales+in+northeastern+British+Columbia,+Part+I:+geological+controls+on+methane+sorption+capacity.">Lower cretaceous gas shales in northeastern British Columbia, Part I: geological controls on methane sorption capacity.</a> Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology. 56 (1), 1-21 (2008).</li><li>Tan, J. Q., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Shale+gas+potential+of+the+major+marine+shale+formations+in+the+Upper+Yangtze+Platform,+South+China,+Part+II:+methane+sorption+capacity.">Shale gas potential of the major marine shale formations in the Upper Yangtze Platform, South China, Part II: methane sorption capacity.</a> Fuel. 129 (4), 204-218 (2014).</li><li>Zhao, Y. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Study+of+impact+factors+on+shale+gas+adsorption+and+desorption.">Study of impact factors on shale gas adsorption and desorption.</a> Natural Gas Geoscience. 25 (6), 940-946 (2014).</li><li>Xue, H. 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The materials used in this experiment are shown in the Table of Materials. Before the sample pool is removed, it must be confirmed that the temperature and pressure in the sample pool are at normal pressure and normal temperature; otherwise, there is a danger of injury. If the temperature is too high, wait for the temperature to drop and then removethe sample pool. If the pressure is too high or too low, manually set the air pressure on the software and use an inert gas13,</s...

Shale is a clay rock with a thin sheet of bedding structure, which serves as both a shale gas source rock and a reservoir. Shale has a strong anisotropy consisting of nano- and micron-scale pores, and graptolite fossils are commonly recognized1,2,3.
Shale gas is commercially exploited in the Yangtze Plate, Southern China. As an unconventional gas system that serves as both a source rock and a reservoir for methane, shale gas is derived from the organic matter within the shale through biogenic and/or thermogenic processes4,5. Natural gas stores in reservoirs are in one of three forms: free gas in pores and fractures, adsorbed gas on the surface of organic matter or inorganic minerals, and dissolved gas in bitumen and water6,7. Previous studies suggest that adsorbed gas accounts for 20 - 85% of the total gas in shale formations6. Therefore, research on the adsorption capacity of shale and its controlling factors are significant to the exploration and development of shale gas resource.
The methane adsorption ability of shale has been widely recognized as significantly varying with temperature, pressure, humidity, maturity, mineral composition, organic matter, and specific surface area1,4,5,6,7; and previous studies have confirmed a larger and clearer correlation between external factors like temperature, pressure, and humidity and methane adsorption.
However, studies on the correlation between intrinsic factors like particle size and methane adsorption are controversial. Kang and Ji suggest that the methane adsorption capacity of the same shale samples increases with a decrease in particle size8,14, whereas Rupple and Zhang believe the relevance between the particle size and adsorption is limited based on the isothermal adsorption curves9,10,11. In addition, without standards for a shale gas adsorption evaluation protocol, laboratories in China typically apply the coal adsorption evaluation protocols for evaluating shale gas adsorption. To clarify the relationship between particle size and adsorption,as well as investigate a prospective exploration zone, we obtained shale samples from the thick marine shale deposits of the Wuling Sag in the Upper Yangtze Plate. A gravimetric sorption analyzer was applied to conduct the isothermal adsorption experimentand obtain the relationship between the particle size and adsorption.
The volumetric and gravimetric methods are the main methods used to test the isothermal adsorption of shale. Volume is the key parameter of the volumetric method, which is easily affected by temperature and pressure12,13,14. Because of uncertainty in the error analysis, the cumulative propagation in direct measurements using the volumetric method for calculating adsorption amounts leads to a large error in the measurement results, which causes an abnormal adsorption isotherm14,15. Compared with the volumetric method, the gravimetric method requires fewer parameters and results in smaller errors: because the mass is conserved, the weight and mass of the gravimetric method are not affected by the temperature and pressure12. It is considered a more scientific and accurate method for measuring theadsorption amount of adsorption at present.
A gravimetric sorption analyzer is used in this experiment, which has a maximum testing pressure of 70 MPa (700 bar) and temperature of 150 &#176;C. The temperature and pressure generated by older apparatus are too low toaccurately simulate the temperature and pressure of the deep underground formation. The key to using a sorption analysis apparatus is reaching the magnetic suspension balance for accurately weighing the sample material, with an accuracy of 10 &#181;g. The apparatus adopts a circulating oil bath heating mode and the temperature range can be controlled for a long time to within 0.2 &#176;C. The accuracy of an old apparatus is low, and thus the error would be larger than that obtained with newer instruments. The experimental operations are performed with the software provided by the apparatus.The operating system will be updated regularly to ensure the analysis is close to the actual underground conditions12.
A magnetic suspension balance (MSB) is used in the gravimetric method to test the methane isothermal adsorption of shale without direct contact between the sample and the equipment, in normal temperature and pressure. The sample is placed in the measuring pool, in which the weight of the sample can be transmitted to the balance through a non-contact suspension coupling mechanism12,13. Under the balance, there is a suspended magnet, controlled by a specially designed controller that allows the free suspension of the permanent magnet below. The permanent magnet connects the position sensor and the sample container&#160;with the coupling frame. The function of the coupling frame is to couple or decouple the sample container to the permanent magnet suspension rod14,15,16.
Our measured samples are black organic-rich shales deposited in marine facies of the Long Maxi formation, Lower Silurian in the Daozhen, Guizhou province. The research area is in the Wuling Sag, upper Yangtze plate, which is bordered by the Sichuan Basin to the northwest and Xuefeng Mountain tectonic zone to the southwest17. The Wuling Sag is a structural transfer and transition zone between the Sichuan Basin and Xuefeng Mountain tectonic zone, which received shallow-deep sea shelf deposits, and marine black shale was widely developed during the early Silurian; the sag was then strongly superimposed by tectonic events like the Indo-China Movement, Yanshan Movement, and Himalayan Movement, which formed multistage folds, faults, and unconformities18. The marine black shale in the Wuling Sag has been significantly influenced by the complex geological conditions, which formed shale gas reserves. As a structural transfer zone, the sag is the sweet spot for shale gas exploration, which is characterized by a weaker deformation, better shale gas generation and preservation conditions, and a better natural fracture matching of the traps19.
High-pressure sorption measurements are conducted based on a standardized procedure with the guidance of the isothermal adsorption apparatus protocol, which has been comprehensively elaborated on in several publications10,11,12,13,14,15,16. The isothermal adsorption experiments were completed in the Key Laboratory of Shale Oil and Gas Investigation and Evaluation of the Chinese Academy of Geosciences. A gravimetric measurement carried out with a magnetic suspension balance (MSB) is performed in four steps: a blank measurement, preprocessing, a buoyancy measurement, and an adsorption and desorption measurement (Figure 1, Figure 2).

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:1587px;" width="1586">
	<colgroup>
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
	</colgroup>
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:412px;">XRF D8 DISCOVER X-Ray diffractometer</td>
			<td style="width:427px;">Brook,Germany</td>
			<td style="width:140px;">204458</td>
			<td style="width:608px;">For mineralogy X-ray diffraction</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">EBSD three element integration system with spectrum&#160;</td>
			<td>EDAX,USA</td>
			<td>Trident XM4</td>
			<td>For nanoscale imaging (SEM)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP)</td>
			<td>USA micromeritics Instrument company</td>
			<td>AutoPore IV 9520</td>
			<td>For the immersion method to measure macropores(Porosity)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Nitrogen gas adsorption at low temperature</td>
			<td>USA micromeritics Instrument company</td>
			<td>ASAP2460/2020</td>
			<td>For the low pressure nitrogen gas adsorption to measure mesopores and micropores(BET)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Finnigan MAT-252 mass spectrometer</td>
			<td>ThermoFinnigan,USA</td>
			<td>TRQ/Y2008-004</td>
			<td>For C isotope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">LECO CS-230 analyzer&#160;</td>
			<td>Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development</td>
			<td>617-100-800</td>
			<td>TOC apparatus</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">3Y-Leica MPV-SP photometer microphotometric system&#160;</td>
			<td>Leica,Germany</td>
			<td>M090063016</td>
			<td>Ro apparatus</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Magnetic Suspension Balance Isothermal adsorption analyzer</td>
			<td>Rubotherm,Germany</td>
			<td>2015-1974CHN</td>
			<td>For methane adsorption tests</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Sieve(20/40/60/80/100/120mesh)</td>
			<td>Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Beijing Co.Ltd</td>
			<td>200*50GB6003.102012</td>
			<td>Used to screen samples</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Absorbent cotton, hammer, tweezers and acetaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Beijing Co.Ltd</td>
			<td>standard</td>
			<td>Used to clean materials</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Residual gas tight grinder</td>
			<td>Nantong Huaxing Petroleum Instrument Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>TY2013000237</td>
			<td>Sample smasher</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

experimental study of the relationship between particle size and methane sorption capacity in shale

The amount of adsorbed shale gas is a key parameter used in shale gas resource evaluation and target area selection, and it is also an important standard for evaluating the mining value of shale gas. Currently, studies on the correlation between particle size and methane adsorption are controversial. In this study, an isothermal adsorption apparatus, the gravimetric sorption analyzer, is used to test the adsorption capacity of different particle sizes in shale to determine the relationship between the particle size and the adsorption capacity of shale. Thegravimetric method requires fewer parameters and produces better results in terms of accuracy and consistency than methods like the volumetric method. Gravimetric measurements are performed in four steps: a blank measurement, preprocessing, a buoyancy measurement, and adsorption and desorption measurements. Gravimetric measurement is presently considered to be a more scientific and accurate method of measuring the amount of adsorption; however, it is time-consuming and requires a strict measuring technique. A Magnetic Suspension Balance (MSB) is the key to verify the accuracy and consistency of this method. Our results show that adsorption capacity and particle size are correlated, but not a linear correlation, and the adsorptions in particles sieved into 40 - 60 and 60 - 80 meshes tend to be larger. We propose that the maximum adsorption corresponding to the particle size is approximately 250 &#181;m (60 mesh) in the shale gas fracturing.

<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/57705/57705fig1.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Experimental set-up for gravimetric gas adsorption at high temperatures and pressures. This figure shows the set-up for the isothermal adsorption experiment: (a) the oil bath heating device for the fluid bath; (b) the electrical heating device for the electrical heating; (c) the magnetic suspens...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Experimental Study of the Relationship Between Particle Size and Methane Sorption Capacity in Shale at JoVE.com

Experimental Study of the Relationship Between Particle Size and Methane Sorption Capacity in Shale

We use an isothermal adsorption apparatus, the gravimetric sorption analyzer, to test the adsorption capacity of different particle sizes of shale, in order to find out the relationship between particle size and the adsorption capacity of shale.

The amount of adsorbed shale gas is a key parameter used in shale gas resource evaluation and target area selection, and it is also an important standard ...

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Environment

Automated Gel Size Selection to Improve the Quality of Next-generation Sequencing Libraries Prepared from Environmental Water Samples

Next-generation sequencing of environmental samples can be challenging because of the variable DNA quantity and quality in these samples. High quality DNA ...

The Use of an Automated System (GreenFeed) to Monitor Enteric Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Ruminant Animals

The Use of an Automated System GreenFeed to Monitor Enteric Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Ruminant Animals

Ruminant animals (domesticated or wild) emit methane (CH4) through enteric fermentation in their digestive tract and from decomposition of manure during ...

Protocol for Measuring the Thermal Properties of a Supercooled Synthetic Sand-water-gas-methane Hydrate Sample

Methane hydrates (MHs) are present in large amounts in the ocean floor and permafrost regions. Methane and hydrogen hydrates are being studied as future ...

Image-based Lagrangian Particle Tracking in Bed-load Experiments

Image analysis has been increasingly used for the measurement of river flows due to its capabilities to furnish detailed quantitative depictions at a ...

Preparation of Authigenic Pyrite from Methane-bearing Sediments for In Situ Sulfur Isotope Analysis Using SIMS

Preparation of Authigenic Pyrite from Methane-bearing Sediments for In Situ Sulfur Isotope Analysis Using SIMS

Different sulfur isotope compositions of authigenic pyrite typically result from the sulfate-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane (SO4-AOM) and ...

Experimental Column Setup for Studying Anaerobic Biogeochemical Interactions Between Iron (Oxy)Hydroxides, Trace Elements, and Bacteria

Experimental Column Setup for Studying Anaerobic Biogeochemical Interactions Between Iron OxyHydroxides, Trace Elements, and Bacteria

Fate and speciation of trace elements (TEs), such as arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg), in aquifers are closely related to physio-chemical conditions, such as ...

Assessment of Methane and Nitrous Oxide Fluxes from Paddy Field by Means of Static Closed Chambers Maintaining Plants Within Headspace

This protocol describes the measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from paddy soils using the static closed chamber technique. This method is based ...

The Plant Infection Test: Spray and Wound-Mediated Inoculation with the Plant Pathogen Magnaporthe Grisea

The Plant Infection Test: Spray and Wound-Mediated Inoculation with the Plant Pathogen Magnaporthe Grisea

Plants possess a powerful system to defend themselves against potential threats by pathogenic fungi. For agriculturally important plants, however, current ...

Generating Homo- and Heterografts Between Watermelon and Bottle Gourd for the Study of Cold-responsive MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs of about 20 - 24 nt, known to play important roles in plant development and adaptation. There is ...

Composition and Distribution Analysis of Bioaerosols Under Different Environmental Conditions

Variable microorganisms in particulate matter (PM) under different environmental conditions may have significant impacts on human health. In this study, ...