A novel method for the determination of adsorption partition coefficients of minor gases in a shale sample by headspace gas chromatography

• A novel headspace gas chromatographic method has been developed.
• An equation was established for calculating the Kd in a wide temperature range.
• The present method can efficiently determine the Kd of the minor gases in shale.

A novel method has been developed for the determination of adsorption partition coefficient (Kd) of minor gases in shale. The method uses samples of two different sizes (masses) of the same material, from which the partition coefficient of the gas can be determined from two independent headspace gas chromatographic (HS-GC) measurements. The equilibrium for the model gas (ethane) was achieved in 5 h at 120 °C. The method also involves establishing an equation based on the Kd at higher equilibrium temperature, from which the Kd at lower temperature can be calculated. Although the HS-GC method requires some time and effort, it is simpler and quicker than the isothermal adsorption method that is in widespread use today. As a result, the method is simple and practical and can be a valuable tool for shale gas-related research and applications.