Adsorption measurements in Devonian shales

Much of the natural gas in the Devonian shales in the Appalachian basin is stored as a condensed phase, which may be in solution in organic material or adsorbed on surfaces. A laboratory apparatus and measurement procedures for accurate determination of the relatively small amounts of condensed phase typical of Devonian shale samples have been designed. A temperature control system was developed so that selected temperatures can be maintained precisely. Adsorption isotherms on various shale samples have been measured, and various factors which affect gas-shale adsorption are discussed.