COAL / GAS LAB SERVICES

Coal Metrix Laboratories

The Coal Metrix Laboratory is a division of CSG Services. The Lab conducts analyses and reports results for all coal and gas testing needs in the Coal and Coal Seam Gas industries. The lab provides high quality and cost effective solutions pertaining to coal and gas evaluation, its quality, beneficiation requirements and coal and gas utilization characteristics. Our expert services are performed by highly skilled personnel with state-of the art equipment for characterisation of coals through chemical and petrographic analyses. Analytical works are performed in accordance with Australian Standards.

In the field, gas desorption testing is conducted to the highest standards, with all equipment necessary for Q1, and Q2/Q3 conducted in our Coal Metrix Laboratory.

Sampling & Sample Preparation

Sampling of coal for various analyses
Preparation and processing of samples

Chemical Analysis of coals

Proximate analysis
Moisture %
Calorific value
Ultimate analysis
Phosphorus
Ash analysis
Coke Type & Swelling Index
Specific gravity

Coal Petrography

Maceral analysis
Vitrinite reflectance %
Cleat structure analysis

Gas Lab & Field Services

The entire process from preparation prior to coring the coals, sample collection at the wellsite using very specific quality controlled protocols and procedures, to mobilizing the coals back to the lab with continued desorption until the samples are finished desorbing, then performing analyses for coal characterization, and finally the interpretive report, has been extensively documented and perfected by the expert staff of Coal Metrix . As a result, high quality, reliable data is generated and is used to evaluate the resource potential of CSG in a prospect area.

Desorption Process – At the Field:

During the entire desorption process, data is entered into spreadsheets in the field and preliminary calculations of total gas contents are available in real time. The desorption data set is electronically sent to senior CSG scientists for more accurate calculations, assessment and quality control checks of the predicted total gas content and lost gas extrapolations.

Desorption Process – Mobilisation from the Field:

Coal Metrix crew de-mobilise from the drill site after the coring and geophysical logging is complete. Desorbing coals will be transported in canisters to the Coal Metrix Gas Lab facility where the samples can continue to desorb until they reach their plateau values.

Desorption Process – At the Lab Facility:

Once the canisters with the coal samples are mobilised to the Coal Metrix lab facility and stabilised in the reservoir temperature bath, the desorption readings continue until there is no gas left to desorb. At this point the samples are crushed to determine the residual gas content (Q3). The total gas content for coal is the combination of lost gas (Q1), measured gas (Q2), and the residual gas (Q3).

Methane Adsorption Isotherm Tests :

Isotherm determination uses a gravimetric technique. Nine pressure steps are used up to a maximum pressure of around 8 Mpa. Isotherm results are tabulated and documented in the analytical report. Isotherm results are calculated to standardised conditions of 20 °C and 1 atmosphere pressure.

Gas Composition:

CSG is generally a "sweet gas" and of pipeline quality and it consists of more than 95 percent methane, with small amounts of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. To determine coal seam gas composition with high accuracy is a vital factor for evaluating the quality of gas and prospectivity. Gas composition analysis is carried out in CSG’s coal-gas laboratory, Coal Metrix, by Gas Chromatograph. All analyses are conducted by a Chemical Engineer. The Gas Chromatograph is connected to the gas desorption unit to analyse the gas from desorbed coal directly. In this way, the risk of contamination from air is minimised and high quality, reliable data can be obtained.