Water invasion and residual gas distribution in partially filled fractures via phase-field method

Water invasion is a significant factor affecting the conductivity of fractures in coal seams. The partially contact characteristics of deep coal seam fractures are pronounced, and surface wettability varies significantly. However, there is a limited understanding of how water invasion behavior in partially filled fractures affects the gas produced by these fractures. In this study, a high-temperature and high-pressure contact angle testing device was employed to assess the wettability of coal seams under in situ conditions. The geometry of partially filled fractures was reconstructed using random functions, while the phase field method was employed to calculate the interactions at the two-phase interface during water invasion. The results indicate that the deep coal seams in the Ordos Basin demonstrate weak air-wetting properties under in situ conditions. The partially contact characteristics of the filled fractures in the deep coal seams categorize the fractures into distinct pore and throat regions. The variations in connectivity levels lead to the gas exhibiting uninvaded, clustered, and fully invaded characteristics following water invasion. The change in gas saturation during water invasion is more sensitive to larger values of lgCa and higher cos(θ). A larger displacement pressure difference and a smaller contact angle enable the invasion fluid to penetrate smaller throats, resulting in a higher number of clusters of residual gas and a smaller cluster radius. The results enhance our understanding of water invasion behavior, and the variability of fracture surface properties and gas-water two-phase flow in deep coal seams deserves further investigation.