Gas content determination of evaporite formations using acoustic emissions during dissolution

摘要

The present invention provides a method which avoids the expense and danger of previous methods used to discover gas contained in geological formations to be mined. Specifically, it has been found that increasing gas contents of evaporite samples emit increasing levels of sound when dissolved in water. By recording the sounds given off by small grab samples taken from within the mine and from the specific formation to be mined, the volume of gas in the sample can be ascertained and gas liberation during mining operations may be predicted. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining a sample; placing it into water and placing the water and sample into a sound-proof chamber; recording the acoustic emissions given off as the sample dissolves; using the recorded acoustic emissions to determine the presence and volume of gas in the sample; and predicting the volume of gas in the evaporite formation to be mined.