Molecular simulation of the CH sub(4)/CO sub(2)/H sub(2 )O adsorption onto the molecular structure of coal

Clarification of the molecular mechanism underlying the interaction of coal with CH sub(4), CO sub(2), and H sub(2)O molecules is the basis for an in-depth understanding of the states of fluid in coal and fluid-induced coal swelling/contraction. In terms of instrumental analysis, molecular simulation technology based on molecular mechanics/dynamics and quantum chemistry is a powerful tool for revealing the relationship between the structure and properties of a substance and understanding the interaction mechanisms of physical-chemical systems. In this study, the giant canonical ensemble Monte Carlo (GCMC) and molecular dynamics (MD) methods were applied to investigate the adsorption behavior of a Yanzhou coal model (C sub(222)H sub(185)N sub( 3)O sub(17)S sub(5)). We explored the adsorption amounts of CH sub(4), CO sub(2), and H sub(2)O onto Yanzhou coal, the adsorption conformation, and the impact of oxygen-containing functional groups. Furthermore, we revealed the different adsorption mechanisms of the three substances using isosteric heat of adsorption and energy change data. (1) The adsorption isotherms of the mono-component CH sub(4), CO sub(2), and H sub(2)O were consistent with the Langmuir model, and their adsorption amounts showed an order of CH sub(4)CH sub(4). In addition, at higher temperatures, the isosteric heat of adsorption decreased; pressure had no significant effect on the heat of adsorption. (3) CH sub(4) molecules displayed an aggregated distribution in the pores, whereas CO sub(2) molecules were cross arranged in pairs. Regarding H sub(2)O molecules, under the influence of hydrogen bonds, the O atom pointed to surrounding H sub(2)O molecules or the H atoms of coal molecules in a regular pattern. The intermolecular distances of the three substances were 0.421, 0.553, and 0.290 nm, respectively. The radial distribution function (RDF) analysis showed that H sub(2)O molecules were arranged in the most compact fashion, forming a tight molecular layer. (4) H sub(2)O molecules showed a signific