Japan STA Program: Multi-Component Effects in Coalbed Methane Modeling

惠特尼该奖项将提供补充支持，使犹他大学的厄尔·惠特尼博士能够与Ikuo博士进行合作研究斋藤在筑波的国家资源环境研究所工作了12个月，日本。惠特尼和斋藤将利用惠特尼在煤炭化学和结构方面的专业知识，开发煤层气流动和生产的模型。煤层气是一种主要被浪费的燃料资源，最近已成为美国国内天然气供应的重要贡献者。为了对这种资源进行准确的模拟和评估，需要对多组分的解吸、扩散和流动效应进行基础研究，这些效应在很大程度上决定了煤层气的组成和产量。齐藤博士实验室的实验机会，以及先前存在的关于煤层气和甲烷性质的数据，将补充惠特尼博士在模拟煤的物理过程方面的经验。由于其提高能源效率和提高废旧能源利用率的政策，日本政府正在鼓励斋藤博士的研究，以发展强大的燃料资源评估能力。

Whitney This award will provide supplementary support to enable Dr. Earl Whitney of the University of Utah to conduct collaborative research with Dr. Ikuo Saito for 12 months at the National Institute for Resources and Environment in Tsukuba, Japan. Whitney and Saito will utilize Whitney's expertise in the chemistry and structure of coal to develop models for the flow and production of coalbed methane. Coalbed methane is a largely wasted fuel resource which recently has become a significant contributor to the U.S. domestic natural gas supply. In order to develop accurate simulations and assessments of this resource, basic research is needed on the multicomponent desorption, diffusion, and flow effects which largely determine the composition and production of coalbed methane. The experimental opportunities as well as pre-existing data on coalbed and gas properties of methane at Dr. Saito's laboratory will complement Dr. Whitney's experience in modelling the physical processes of coal. Because of its policy to increase energy efficiency and improve the utilization of wasted energy, the Japanese government is encouraging the research of Dr. Saito so as to develop a strong capability in fuel resources assessment.