INFLUENCE OF NATURAL MOISTURE ON THE CHARACTERISTIC TIME OF METHANE DESORPTION FROM COALS OF VARIOUS DEGREES OF METAMORPHISM

Goal. To study the effect of natural internal moisture content on the kinetics of methane desorption from coals of varying degrees of metamorphization. Methodology. For the research, coal was used after a long (more than 100 days) preliminary exposure in a dry, closed indoors. The measurements were carried out on several samples of Donbass coals with different volatile content. Two groups of coal samples were used - dry, with natural internal humidity and one sample with artificial humidity of 1.5%. The volumetric method was used for measurements. The method includes three stages: 1st  saturation of coal with compressed methane, 2nd  preliminary discharge of compressed gas from a container with coal after its saturation, and 3rd  collection of methane released by coal into a storage vessel. Before registration of desorption, pressurized gas was discharged from the free volume of containers into the atmosphere. The desorption unit contains a low-temperature trap (78°C) for water vapor and a warming radiator for methane entering the storage vessel. To determine the numerical values of the characteristic time of desorption of methane from coal, we used information on the change in gas pressure in the storage vessel during desorption. To analyze the results, a method based on the concept of a change in the characteristic relaxation time of desorption during methane emission was used. Results. Experimental results show that in wet coals the ratio between the amount of methane in coal and the intensity of its outflow at any desorption site is less than in dry coals. It was found that in coals of the metamorphic series the presence of natural moisture leads to a decrease in the intensity of methane emission, a decrease in the characteristic desorption time and a decrease in the activation energy of methane desorption by 0.4 - 2.5 kJ / mol. The features of the kinetics of desorption indicates competition energetics of interactions between methane and water with the surface of the pores of coal. Scientific novelty. It was found that even without artificial humidification, but in the presence of natural internal moisture in coal, the degassing time during desorption is reduced (in comparison with dry coal). Practical significance. The research results can be used to optimize the duration of hydraulic saturation of the coal seam and the water consumption during coal degassing.

Bonding energy and methane amount at the open surface of metamorphic coal

Objective of the studies is to measure and determine regularities of changes in adsorption and methane energy bond with the open surface of mineral carbons within metamorphism series. Donbas mineral carbons have been used as the samples. Volumetric method has been applied in the range of room temperatures and pressures of free methane phase (i.e. 0.015 to 3.5 MPa) to measure methane amount at the open surface of the mineral carbons. Depending upon changes in carbon content, adsorption behaviour is close to parabolic one: adsorption is maximal on the peripheries of metamorphic series, and minimal within its central part. For the first time, methane energy bond with the open surface of mineral carbons has been determined. In the context of the metamorphic series, bonding energy varies from 2 to 10 kJ/mol. Direct linear dependence of adsorption from pressure takes place for coal where carbon content is less than 76 %. It is the result of effect of large area of open surface of low-metamorphized coal. Inversely, nonlinear dependence is observed as for anthracite. The authors connect the fact with filling of all spaces at the open surface when gas phase pressure is 0.1 MPa.

Deciphering orogeny: a metamorphic perspective Examples from European Alpine and Variscan belts

In this paper we review and discuss, in a synthetic historical way, the main results obtained on Variscan metamorphism in the French Massif Central. First, we describe the pre-orogenic architecture of the French Massif Central on the base of available lithostratigraphic and geochemical constraints. Second, we portray the progressive metamorphic evolution through time and space with the presentation of 6 metamorphic maps corresponding to critical orogenic periods, namely 430–400 Ma, 400–370 Ma, 370–360 Ma, 360–345 Ma, 340–325 Ma and 320–290 Ma. We discuss the role of multiple subductions in orogeny, the metamorphic effects of continental collision (i.e. regional development of intermediate-pressure metamorphic series) as well as the links between post-thickening tectonics and the regional development of low-pressure metamorphic series coeval with crustal partial melting. As it was the case for the western Alps, we emphasize the lack of temporal data on high-pressure/low-temperature metamorphic rocks as well as the uncertainties on the sizes of rock units that have recorded the same metamorphic history (i.e. coherent P-T-t/deformation trajectories). Finally, we underline the main differences and similarities between the metamorphic evolutions of the western Alps and the French Massif Central.

Thermal maturation and exhumation of a middle orogenic crust in the Livradois area (French Massif Central)

Upper Carboniferous heating and melting of the middle orogenic crust associated with the emplacement of syntectonic granitoids are documented in the Upper Gneissic Unit of the Livradois area (central part of the French Massif Central). Crustal melting post-dates peak metamorphism conditions (800-625°C, 10-8 kb) dated at 360 ± 4 Ma (U-Th-Pb on monazite). The P-T evolution of the metamorphic series indicates that Barrovian metamorphism was followed by a decompression (from 10 ± 1 kbar to 6 ± 1 kbar) associated with either a decrease in temperature in the southern part of the series or with an increase in temperature (of about 150°C) in the northern part of the series. This evolution records the first step of the exhumation of the series coeval with granitoids intrusion, of which the emplacements were dated at 315 ± 4 and 311 ± 18 Ma (U-Pb on zircon). The final stage of the exhumation is associated with an isobaric cooling of the whole series. Similarity of 40Ar/39Ar ages for biotite in the paragneisses (307-300 Ma) and K-feldspar in the granitoids (306-300 Ma) document rapid cooling for this stage. Moreover dextral reverse mylonites, at the border and the northern part of the metamorphic series indicate north-south compression coeval with the unroofing of the series. Youngest 40Ar-39Ar ages on K-feldspar (274.6 ± 5 Ma) combined with normal shearing in mylonites limiting the Carboniferous Brassac-les-Mines basin document the late Carboniferous-early Permian stage of extension coeval with the upwelling of the Velay granitic dome.

Paragenese a faible variance dans les metapelites de la serie de Filali (Rif interne marocain); description, interpretation et consequence geodynamique

The metamorphic series of Filali and the Beni Bousera massif represent the most metamorphic unit in the inner part of the Moroccan Rif. The Filali series is composed of micaschists, gneisses, migmatites and granulites wrapped around the ultramafic body of the Beni Bousera. The foliation is broadly coherent all over the massif although differences in lineation and fold axis have been found between the granulites and the micaschists-gneisses. Metamorphic grade increases continuously towards the ultramafic body; however, seven metamorphic zones which account for this increase can be defined: - chlorite zone: muscovite and chlorite underline the S1 schistosity refolded by S2. Small garnet is wrapped by or cut across S2; - chloritoid zone: chloritoid displays the same textures as chlorite and muscovite, underlining S1 and S2 schistosity. Chlorite reacts out to biotite; - staurolite+andalusite zone: staurolite, andalusite, cordierite and garnet have pre-, syn- and post- kinematic features with respect to S2. Garnet reacts out to muscovite, biotite and plagioclase; - staurolite+andalusite+kyanite zone: same textural relationships as in the previous zone. Kyanite is an additional phase, often displaying epitaxial textures with staurolite and andalusite; - andalusite+kyanite+sillimanite zone: fibrolitic sillimanite generally associated with biotite crystallizes from staurolite. However, sillimanite is also directly formed from andalusite and kyanite. As in the previous zone garnet reacts out to biotite, muscovite and plagioclase; - sillimanite+k-feldspar zone: muscovite reacts out to k-feldspar. Modes of biotite and sillimanite increase; - migmatites zone are composed by biotite, sillimanite, garnet, cordierite quartz and feldspars. Garnets do not display the reaction textures seen in the previous zones; - granulites are composed of a primary paragenesis with kyanite+k-feldspar+garnet+ or -biotite+plagioclase+rutile, partially obliterated by a secondary paragenesis with cordierite, sillimanite and spinel.