Ceramsite-Based Graphite Composite Thermally Conductive Proppant: Preparation, Characterization, and Performance
Shuguang Li1,2, Ersi Gao1,2, Danlu Liu1,2
1China United Coalbed Methane National Engineering Research Center Co., Ltd., Beijing 100007, China.
Polymers
|February 27, 2026
Summary
A new graphite composite proppant enhances coalbed methane recovery by improving thermal conductivity and performance in low-permeability reservoirs. This novel material offers better stimulation and durability for unconventional oil and gas extraction.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Petroleum Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs face challenges due to low permeability and poor methane desorption, limiting recovery efficiency.
- Effective proppants are crucial for hydraulic fracturing in unconventional reservoirs to maintain fracture conductivity and enhance production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel graphite composite thermally conductive proppant for improved CBM recovery.
- To investigate the influence of graphite content and resin dosage on proppant properties.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a composite proppant using ceramsite, epoxy resin, and graphite.
- Systematic evaluation of structural, thermal, suspension, wettability, and adhesion properties.
- Microscopic analysis to confirm interfacial structure and thermal conductive network.
Main Results:
- Optimized proppant (20 wt% graphite, 1.0 g epoxy resin) exhibited 6.3x higher thermal conductivity (3.8 W/(m·K)).
- Achieved good suspension stability (0.53 suspension ratio), hydrophobic surface (74.9° contact angle), and strong interfacial adhesion (125 nN).
- Microscopy confirmed a continuous "resin-graphite-ceramsite" interface and a percolative thermal conductive network.
Conclusions:
- The developed graphite composite proppant demonstrates superior thermal conductivity and mechanical performance.
- This proppant shows significant potential for enhancing hydraulic fracturing in unconventional oil and gas reservoirs, particularly CBM.
- Provides a viable design strategy for advanced thermally conductive proppants.
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