Influence of Dissolved Methane on the Error in Direct Determination of a Coal Bed’s Gas Content

The measurement error in direct determination of the gas content within a coal bed is considered. The best known methods of direct determination are based on sorption theory and fail to take into account that most methane within the bed is in solid solution. Accordingly, a different method is required. The model of the bed’s gas content outlined in the present work incorporates current notions regarding the aggregate state of methane and its bonds with the coal. The influence of dissolved methane on the error in direct determination of the gas content within a coal bed is studied experimentally.