Study on the change of permeability of gas‐containing coal under many factors

The permeability characteristics of gas‐containing coal under different radial stress, different axial stress, and gas pressure were studied by orthogonal experiments, using a self‐developed three‐axis servo fluid infiltration system with a gas‐solid coupling of gas‐containing coal, on the basis of a single‐factor influence on the permeability of gas‐containing coal. By considering the effective stress, three kinds of relationships between permeability and radial stress, permeability and axial stress, as well as permeability and gas pressure were established. The results show that radial stress, axial stress, and gas pressure have a great influence on the permeability characteristics of gas‐containing coal: (a) The influence of radial stress on gas permeability is significant, whereas the influence of axial stress is negligible. The degree of influence of radial stress, gas pressure, and axial stress on the permeability decreases in turn; (b) The permeability decreases following a power function with the increase of the radial stress; (c) The permeability gradually increases with the increase of axial stress. With the increase of axial stress, the permeability increases following a power function; (d) The increase in gas pressure will reduce the effective stress on the coal, and the number of pores and cracks inside the coal body will decrease. This will increase the effective seepage flow and gas flow rate of the gas and eventually lead to the increase of coal permeability. There is a quadratic function relationship between the permeability and gas pressure. The influence of radial stress on gas permeability of gas‐containing coal is significant, whereas the influence of axial stress is negligible. The permeability of coal sample increases with the radial stress and it decreases following a power function. With the increase of axial stress, the permeability of coal samples increases following a power function. There is a quadratic function relationship between the permeability of gas‐containing coal and gas pressure.