Enhancement effect of NaCl solution on pore structure of coal with high-voltage electrical pulse treatment

In order to enhance the gas extraction rate of low-permeability coal seams, a study was made on variation characteristics of pore structure of the coal saturated by NaCl solution under the effect of high-voltage electrical pulses (HVEP) by adopting a self-designed experimental system of fracturing and permeability enhancing of the coal with HVEP. In addition, current waveforms in the process of electrical breakdown were also investigated. The results revealed the two types of electrical breakdown of the coal in air environment, namely, surface breakdown and internal breakdown with three forms of breakage, namely, complete comminution, breakage from one side and cracks on the surface. Furthermore, the coal was broken due to internal tension under the influence of HVEP. Based on energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis, the coal underwent both physical and chemical changes where the current flowed. Results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) demonstrated that the higher the breakdown voltage, the more the fissures in coal, and the better the breakage effect. Fissures in the coal were observed via the 3D-XRM to extend radially from the center to boundary areas with the breakage effect weakening gradually from anode to cathode when needle electrode discharged. Besides, these fissures were interconnected with each other. The result of liquid nitrogen adsorption suggested that electrical breakdown could effectively boost gas desorption by improving fissures as well as pores and micropores in the coal. Characteristics of the current waveform showed that great thermal expansion stress was caused by huge energy injected into the coal in an instant. During the electrical breakdown of coal with the same voltage, the peak current was different which increased with the growing of breakdown voltage.