Rock matrix-fractured media model for heterogeneous and fractured coal bed

ZHANG Chun-hui¹, YU Guang-ming², ZHANG Chun¹

(1. School of Civil Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China;
2. School of Civil Engineering, Qingdao Technological University, Qingdao 266033, China)

Abstract:Coal was considered rock matrix-fractured media composed of rock matrix and fractures, and the rock matrix-fractured media model for heterogeneous and fractured coal bed was presented. In this model the rock matrix is heterogeneous, and the mechanical parameters such as elastic modulus and strength follow Weibull distribution. Fractures in coal bed were generated with the discrete fracture network method, and the properties of fractures were simulated with Desai element. Then the virtual generating system (VGS) of natural heterogeneous and fractured coal bed was developed in Matlab 6.0. The coupled model of gas flow and deformation process based on the rock matrix-fractured media model method and VGS for heterogeneous and fractured coal bed was presented, and the numerical code was developed in Matlab 6.0. The gas flow process in the heterogeneous and fractured coal bed was simulated in a numerical case. The main conclusions are: 1) The natural heterogeneous and fractured coal bed could be simulated by the rock matrix-fractured media model and VGS; 2) The fractures connected with the well have much more effects on gas flow than those non-connected.

Key words:heterogeneity; fractures; rock matrix-fractured media