Methane formation and retention in coal. Quarterly technical progress report, July 1, 1991--September 30, 1991

The methane content of coal seams in Utah and Colorado are measured in situ as well as in the laboratory and correlated with the geological and geochemical history of the seams and surrounding strata. Chemical and physical properties are measured in the laboratory for coals that contain methane and coals of similar rank which do not contain methane. Methane yields on pyrolysis are used to measure the propensity of coals to form additional methane. Methane formation and retention will be interpreted in terms of the physical and chemical properties of the coal and the chemical and geological history of the coal seam.