CO2 - CH4 sorption induced swelling of gas shales: An experimental study on the Silurian shales from the Baltic Basin, Poland

The main aim of the research presented in the paper was to study the phenomena of shale swelling induced by CH4 and CO2 sorption. In the study, a Silurian gas shale sample from the Baltic Basin in Poland was used. Samples represented typical characteristic features of polish shale gas formations with relatively low total organic carbon (0.8%) and high clay mineral content. The first part of the study was devoted to competitive adsorption of CO2 and CH4. The second part was devoted to observation of the sorption induced swelling phenomena, where sample linear strains were monitored with the use of strain gauges. Swelling tests were conducted up to the pressure of approximately 8 MPa with CO2, CH4 and helium as the baseline. Experimental results were compared with the Seidle and Huitt model where Langmuir constants where determined with volumetric sorption tests. Results of the study showed that matrix swelling in case of CO2 adsorption was greater than in the case of CH4 adsorption. The swelling value was directly proportional to adsorption and was about 5 to 10 times smaller than in the case of coal. Sorption of methane and carbon dioxide in the gas-bearing shale was about 10-times lower than in hard coals. The Seidle and Huitt model developed for coals was equally suitable to describe the processes of shale swelling.