Research on structure of tectonically deformed coals(TDC) is a key issue in coal and gas outburst prevention and coalbed methane(CBM) exploitation.This paper presents a summary on the research progress in TDC's structural-genetic classification,tectonic strain influence on coal microstructure,coal porosity system,coal chemical structure and constituents,and their relationship with the excess coalbed methane.Previous studies suggested that tectonic deformation had significant influence on coal microstructure,coal super microstructure,and even chemical macromolecular structure.The main mechanisms of coal deformation are the tectonic stress degradation and polycondensation metamorphism(dynamical metamorphism).Besides,under different deformation mechanisms,the ultra-and micro-structure and chemical constituents of TDC presented distinct characteristics.Based on these achievements,we propose one possible evolutionary trend of TDC with different deformation mechanisms,and suggest that the coal and gas outburst in the TDC,especially in the mylonitic coals,may be not only controlled by geological structure,but also influenced by the tectonic stress degradation of ductile deformation.Therefore,further study on TDC should be focused on the controlling mechanism of deformation on structure and composition of coal,generation conditions and occurrence state of excess coalbed methane from deformation mechanism of coal.
The geothermal history and the tectonic subsidence history of the Huaibei-Huainan coalfields were reconstructed by using the vitrinite reflectance data, and their correlative restriction on coalbed gas generation of Huaibei-Huainan coalfields and Qinshui coal basin was discussed. The burial, thermal, and maturity histories of are similar between Huaibei coalfield and Huainan coalfield, obviously different from those of Qinshui coal basin. Based on the tectono-thermal evolution characters of Huaibei-Huainan coalfields and Qinshui basin, the process of coalbed gas generation can be divided into three stages: (1) During Early Mesozoic, both in Huaibei-Huainan and Qinshui, the buried depth of Permian coal seams increased rapidly, which resulted in strong metamorphism and high burial temperature of coal seams. At this stage, the coal rank was mainly fat coal, and locally reached coking coal. These created an environment favoring the generation of thermogenic gas. (2) From Late Jurassic to Cretaceous, in the areas of Huaibei-Huainan, the strata suffered from erosion and the crust became thinning, and the Permian coal-bearing strata were uplifted to surface. At this stage, the thermogenic gas mostly escaped. Conversely, in Qinshui basin, the cover strata of coal seams kept intact during this stage, and the thermogenic gas were mostly preserved. Furthermore, with the interaction of magmatism, the burial temperature of coal seams reached higher peak value, and it was suitable for the secondary generation of thermogenic gas. (3) From Paleogene onward, in area of Huainan-Huaibei, the maturity of coal and burial temperature were propitious to the generation of secondary biogenic gases. However, in Qinshui basin, the maturity of coal went against genesis of second biogenic gas or thermogenic gas. By comparison, Huaibei-Huainan coalfields are dominated by thermogenic gas with a significant biogenic gas and hydrodynamic overprint, whereas Qinshui basin is dominated mainly by thermogenic gas.
