Control of pore-size distribution on CO2 adsorption volume and kinetics in Gondwana coals: Implications for shallow-depth CO2 sequestration potential

Abstract

We report experimental CO2 adsorption isotherms and diffusion-related parameters of fresh coal samples from Jharia (350–360 m) and South Karanpura (50–60 m) coalfields, India at three different temperatures (28, 35 and 45 °C) and up to 4 MPa CO2 pressures. The results confirm that temperature possesses an inverse relationship with the excess adsorption volume. Data modelling with the Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) equations show the D-R equation better predicts the experimental excess adsorption data. A conversion of the excess adsorbed volume to absolute adsorption further reveals that the modified D-R equation is even a better model to estimate absolute adsorption than the conventional D-R equation. Adsorption kinetics data indicate that temperature has a positive influence on the adsorption rate. We determined the diffusion coefficients of CO2 in these coals using the unipore model, which suggest that it increases with pressure and temperature. Effective diffusivity and diffusion-time maintain a direct and inverse relationship, respectively, with the elevation of temperature. The experimental adsorbed volume and kinetics data are correlated with the corresponding pore-size distribution of the samples. Shallow depth South Karanpura samples have lower average pore diameter, higher volumetric proportion of micropores and surface area compared to those of higher depth Jharia coal samples. Lower adsorption volume and sluggish adsorption kinetics in Jharia coals result from a small surface area and relatively sparse distribution of semi open-ended micropores with poor interconnection. Based on our experimental observations, we discuss and suggest the potential and possible conditions for CO2 sequestration in the Permian Gondwana coalfields, India.