Evaluation of Stress-Controlled Permeability of Coal Fractures - A Laboratory Study

Experiments on coal permeability with saturated water under tri-axial stress were conducted. The relationship between stress and permeability under tri-axial stress was analyzed on the rock mechanical experimental rig (GAW-2000). After the experiments on permeability, the fracture characteristics were researched by X-ray computerized tomography, which shows that the bituminous coal normally has high fractal dimensions (generally over 1.8) and wide aperture. The results for permeability reveal that bituminous coals always have variable permeability characteristics under incremental axial stress due to its inherent fracture features. It can be divided into two types: type I, at the linear and nonlinear elastic deformation and peak stage, the permeability keeps rising, which is represented by FYGY8 #. The main control factor of permeability should be related to coal microfractures and coal compositions. Type II, which is represented by sample YCLZ2#, in the initial linear elastic stage, there is a decrease trend in the permeability performance, and then permeability gradually rise when it comes into the stage of nonlinear elastic deformation. The permeability will keep go down after coal becomes soften under the action of confining pressure, compaction.