Pressure relief, gas drainage and deformation effects on an overlying coal seam induced by drilling an extra-thin protective coal seam

Numerical simulations and field tests were used to investigate the changes in ground stress and deformation of, and gas flow from, a protected coal seam under which an extra-thin coal seam was drilled. The geological conditions were: 0.5 meter min-ing height, 18.5 meter coal seam spacing and a hard limestone/fine sandstone inter-stratum. For these conditions we conclude: 1) the overlying coal-rock mass bends and sinks without the appearance of a caving zone, and 2) the protected coal seam is in the bending zone and undergoes expansion deformation in the stress-relaxed area. The deformation was 12 mm and the relative defor-mation was 0.15%. As mining proceeds, deformation in the protected layer begins as compression, then becomes a rapid expansion and, finally, reaches a stable value. A large number of bed separation crannies are created in the stress-relaxed area and the perme-ability coefficient of the coal seam was increased 403 fold. Grid penetration boreholes were evenly drilled toward the protected coal seam to affect pressure relief and gas drainage. This made the gas pressure decrease from 0.75 to 0.15 Mpa, the gas content de-crease from 13 to 4.66 m3/t and the gas drainage reach 64%.     

Undesorbable residual gas in coal seams and its influence on gas drainage

The definition of ‘‘residual gas" can be found in different scenarios, such as the ‘‘fast" and ‘‘slow" desorption methods of measuring gas content and the sorption hysteresis test and gas management of coal mines, however, its meaning varies a lot in different contexts. The main aim of this paper is to discuss the existence of truly undesorbable residual gas in coal seam conditions and its impacts on sorption model and gas drainage efficiency. We believe the undesorbable residual gas does exist due to the observation of the extended slow desorption test and the sorption hysteresis test. The origin of undesorbable residual gas may be because of the inaccessible(closed or semi-closed) pores. Some gas molecules produced during coalification are stored in these inaccessible pores, since the coal is relatively intact in the coal seam condition, these gas molecules cannot escape during natural desorption and then create the undesorbable residual gas. Based on the existing adsorption models, we propose the improved desorption versions by taking into consideration the role of residual gas. By numerically simulating a gas drainage case, the gas contents after different drainage times are studied to understand the influence of residual gas content on gas drainage. The results indicate that the influence starts to be obvious even when the total gas content is at a high level, and the impact becomes more and more apparent with increasing drainage time. Our study shows that the existence of residual gas will impede the gas drainage and the total amount of recoverable coal seam methane may be less than expected.     

Greenhouse gas emissions from shallow uncovered coal seams

This study discusses a method of quantifying emissions from surface coal mining that has been trialled in Australia. The method is based on direct measurement of surface emissions from uncovered coal seams in mine pits, concurrent measurement of residual gas content of blasted coal in mine pits, and measurement of pre-mining gas content of the same seam from cores retrieved from exploration boreholes drilled away from active mining. The results from one of the mines studied are presented in this paper. In this mine, the pre-mining gas content of the target seam was measured using cores from an exploration borehole away from active mining. Gas content varied from 0.7 to 0.8 m³/t and gas composition varied from 16% to 21% CH₄ (84–79% CO₂). In-pit measurements included seam surface emissions and residual gas content of blasted and ripped coal. Residual gas content varied from 0.09 to 0.15 m³/t, less than twofold across the mine pit. Composition of the residual gas was in general 90% CO₂ and 10% CH₄, with slight variation between samples. Coal seam surface emissions varied from 1.03 to 7.50 mL of CO₂-e per minute and per square meter of the coal seam surface, a sevenfold variation across the mine pit.     

Evolution and application of in-seam drilling for gas drainage

The presence of seam gas in the form of methane or carbon dioxide presents a hazard to underground coal mining operations. In-seam drilling has been undertaken for the past three decades for gas drainage to reduce the risk of gas outburst and lower the concentrations of seam gas in the underground ventilation. The drilling practices have reflected the standards of the times and have evolved with the development of technology and equipment and the needs to provide a safe mining environment underground. Early practice was to adapt equipment from other fields, with rotary drilling being the only form of drilling available. This form of drainage allowed various levels of gas drainage coverage but with changing emphasis, research and development within the coal industry has created specific equipment, technology and practices to accurately place in-seam boreholes to provide efficient and effective gas drainage. Research into gas content determination established a standard for the process and safe levels for mining operations to continue. Surveying technology improved from the wire-line, single-shot Eastman survey instruments which was time-dependent on borehole depth to electronic instruments located in the drill string which transmitted accurate survey data to the drilling crew without time delays. This allowed improved directional control and increased drilling rates. Directional drilling technology has now been established as the industry standard to provide effective gas drainage drilling. Exploration was identified as an additional benefit with directional drilling as it has the ability to provide exploration data from long boreholes. The ability of the technology to provide safe and reliable means to investigate the need for inrush protection and water drainage ahead of mining has been established. Directional drilling technology has now been introduced to the Chinese coal industry for gas drainage through a practice of auditing, design, supply, training and ongoing support. Experienced drilling crews can offer site specific gas drainage drilling services utilising the latest equipment and technology.     

Fracture evolution and pressure relief gas drainage from distant protected coal seams under an extremely thick key stratum

When an extremely thick rock bed exists above a protected coal seam in the bending zone given the condition of a mining protective seam, this extremely thick rock bed controls the movement of the entire overlying stratum. This extremely thick rock bed, called a "main key stratum", will not subside nor break for a long time, causing lower fractures and bed separations not to close and gas can migrate to the bed separation areas along the fractures. These bed separations become gas enrichment areas. By analyzing the rule of fracture evolution and gas migration under the main key stratum after the deep protective coal seam has been mined, we propose a new gas drainage method which uses bore holes, drilled through rock and coal seams at great depths for draining pressure relief gas. In this method, the bores are located at a high level suction roadway (we can also drill them in the drilling field located high in an air gateway). Given the practice in the Halzi mine, the gas drainage rate can reach 73% in the middie coal group, with a gas drainage radius over 100 m.     

近距离煤层群被保护层开采瓦斯综合治理技术研究

近距离煤层群被保护层回采过程中,由于被保护层与保护层之间距离较小,保护层采空区内积聚的瓦斯通过采动影响所产生的裂隙大量涌入被保护层工作面,容易造成工作面瓦斯超限.本文以新庄孜矿62113被保护层工作面回采为例,通过调节通风负压和抽采系统相结合的瓦斯治理措施,改变工作面及邻近层瓦斯流向,抑制瓦斯涌向回采工作面,从而增加瓦斯抽采量,降低回风瓦斯浓度,有效的保证了工作面的安全回采.     

高瓦斯煤层千米定向钻孔煤与瓦斯共采机理

结合最新引进的德国DDR-1200型千米定向钻机,提出在工作面顶板裂隙带内打千米定向钻孔抽采瓦斯的新方法,构建千米定向钻孔煤与瓦斯共采体系.结果表明,工作面上覆岩层存在大量横向间隙和竖向裂隙,裂隙带高度为34m左右,最大离层裂隙发生在主关键层下方,距离工作面顶板22m左右,最大离层量240mm,形成瓦斯富集区域;工作面倾向方向,回采巷道向采空区方向0～60m范围内裂隙最发育,并能长期稳定存在.据此在14301工作面进行工业性试验,试验结果表明,钻孔布置在14301工作面上方顶板22m左右,倾向方向距运输巷15m处,抽采浓度达70%以上,抽采时间在120d以上,取得最佳瓦斯抽采效果,实现煤与瓦斯共采.     

A review of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation in oil and gas well drilling

The prospect of employing Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation(LASER)for well drilling in oil and gas industry was examined.In this work,the experimental works carded out on various oil well drilling operations was dis-cussed.The results show that,LASER or LASER-aided oil and gas well drilling has many potential advantages over conventional rotary drilling,including high penetration rate,reduction or elimination of tripping,casing,bit costs,enhanced well control,as well as perforating and side-tracking capabilities.The investigation also reveals that modern infrared LASERs have a higher rate of rock cuttings removal than that of conventional rotary drilling and flame-jet spallation.It also reveals that LASER can destroy rock without damaging formation permeability but rather,it enhances or improves permeability and that permeability and porosity increases in all rock types.The paper has therefore provided more knowledge on the potential value to drilling operations and techniques using LASER.     

A case study of gas drainage to low permeability coal seam

Gas drainage at low gas permeability coal seam is a main barrier affecting safety and efficient production in coal mines. Therefore, the research and application of drainage technology at low permeability coal seam is a key factor for gas control of coal mine. In order to improve the drainage effect, this paper establishes a three-dimensional solid-gas-liquid coupling numerical model, and the gas drainage amounts of different schemes are examined inside the overburden material around the goaf. The Yangquan mine area is selected for the case study, and the gas movement regularity and emission characteristics are analyzed in detail, as well as the stress and fissure variation regularity. Also examinations are the released gas movement, enrichment range and movement regularity during coal extraction. Moreover, the gas drainage technology and drainage parameters for the current coal seam are studied. After measuring the gas drainage flow in-situ, it is concluded that the technology can achieve notable drainage results, with gas drainage rate increase by 30%–40% in a low permeability coal seam.     

水力压裂煤储层卸压增透技术的适用性分析

水力压裂煤储层技术在不同矿区应用过程中受不同煤体破坏类型和围压条件的影响,其卸压增透效果差异性较大.为了明确该项技术的井下适用条件,优化其实施工艺,切实提高煤层瓦斯抽采率,通过分析和总结河南省不同矿区实际煤储层的水力压裂试验数据资料发现,水力压裂增透技术对Ⅰ,Ⅱ破坏类型煤体的增透效果比较明显,而在Ⅲ,Ⅳ,Ⅴ破坏类型的松软煤层中适用性则具有一定的局限性,具有压裂范围小、裂缝闭合快、增透效果不明显等特点.所得结论对于选择合理的水力压裂储层并进一步优化完善高效预抽本煤层瓦斯技术具有一定的指导意义.     

钻孔施工诱发煤与瓦斯突出的机理研究

利用自行研制的煤与瓦斯突出模拟实验装置,模拟煤矿井下钻孔施工,通过高速摄像系统对其过程进行实时监测,对喷孔过程中煤体的裂隙演化特征进行分析;从力学角度对钻孔施工时钻孔前方煤体的受力情况进行了分析,包括切向应力和径向应力;从煤体受到的振动作用角度,对钻孔施工时钻杆对煤体的振动效应进行了分析;同时对钻孔施工时孔内变形进行了监测.基于实验现象和理论分析,提出了基于钻孔施工诱发的煤与瓦斯突出耦合跃迁失稳机理.     

Numerical simulation of influence of Langmuir adsorption constant on gas drainage radius of drilling in coal seam

To determine reasonable distance of gas pre-drainage drillings in coal seams, a solid–gas coupling model that takes gas adsorption effect into account was constructed. In view of different adsorption constants,the paper conducted the numerical simulation of pre-drainage gas in drillings along coal seam, studied the relationship of adsorption constants and permeability, gas pressure, and effective drainage radius of coal seams, and applied the approach to the layout of pre-drainage gas drillings in coal seams. The results show that the permeability of coal seams is on the gradual increase with time, which is divided into three sections according to the increase rate: the drainage time 0–30 d is the sharp increase section;30–220 d is the gradual increase section; and the time above 200 d is the stable section. The permeability of coal seams is in negative linear and positive exponent relation with volume adsorption constant VLand pressure adsorption constant PL, respectively. The effective drainage radius is in negative linear relation with VLand in positive exponent relation with PL. Compared with the former design scheme, the engineering quantity of drilling could be reduced by 25%.     

Principle and engineering application of pressure relief gas drainage in low permeability outburst coal seam

With the increase in mining depth, the danger of coal and gas outbursts increases. In order to drain coal gas effectively and to eliminate the risk of coal and gas outbursts, we used a specific number of penetration boreholes for draining of pressure relief gas. Based on the principle of overlying strata movement, deformation and pressure relief, a good effect of gas drainage was obtained. The practice in the Panyi coal mine has shown that, after mining the Cllcoal seam as the protective layer, the relative expansion deformation value of the protected layer C13 reached 2.63%, The permeability coefficient increased 2880 times, the gas drainage rate of the C13 coal seam increased to more than 60%, the amount of gas was reduced from 13.0 to 5.2 m3/t and the gas pressure declined from 4.4 to 0.4 MPa, which caused the danger the outbursts in the coal seams to be eliminated. The result was that we achieved a safe and highly efficient mining operation of the C 13 coal seam.     

石门短导硐快速揭煤防突技术研究及应用

突出煤层石门揭煤是煤矿采掘生产中的复杂作业过程,其突出威胁大、破坏强度高,研究安全有效的揭煤技术对矿井的安全生产和采掘接替意义重大．针对石门揭煤发生突出的特点,以“流变假说”为理论基础,分析了石门揭煤防突的机理;通过对石门揭煤方式、导硐布置形式、瓦斯抽放方法和预留岩柱抵抗突出作用等的深入研究,确定了石门短导硐快速揭煤方案,并在演马庄矿2个揭煤地点实施了该方案．实践表明,该揭煤方案防突效果显著,施工安全、快速,并具有明显的经济效益．     

Theoretical analysis of influencing factors on resistance in the process of gas migration in coal seams

Inspired by previous resistance models for porous media, a resistance expression of gas migration within coal seams based on the ideal matchstick geometry, combined with the Darcy equation and the modified Poiseuille equation is proposed. The resistance to gas migration is generally dynamic because of the variations in adsorption swelling and matrix shrinkage. Due to the limitations of experimental conditions,only a theoretical expression of resistance to gas migration in coal is deduced, and the impacts of tortuosity, effective stress and pore pressure on the resistance are then considered. To validate the proposed expression, previous data from other researchers are adopted for the history matching exercise, and the agreement between the two is good.     

Effects of coal damage on permeability and gas drainage performance

Coal permeability is a measure of the ability for fluids to flow through coal structures. It is one of the most important parameters affecting the gas drainage performance in underground coal mines. Despite the extensive research conducted on coal permeability, few studies have considered the effect of coal damage on permeability. This has resulted in unreliable permeability evaluation and prediction. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of coal damage on permeability and gas drainage performance. The Cui-Bustin permeability model was improved by taking into account the impact of coal damage on permeability. The key damage coefficient of the improved permeability model is determined based on the published permeability data. A finite-element numerical simulation was then developed based on the improved permeability model to investigate the damage areas and the permeability distribution around roadway. Results showed that the tensile failure occurs mainly on the upper and lower sides of the roadway while the shear failure symmetrically occurs on the left and right sides. With the increase in the friction angle value, the damage area becomes small. A good agreement was obtained between the results of the improved permeability model(c = 3) and the published permeability data. This indicated a more accurate permeability prediction by the improved permeability model. It is expected that the findings of this study could provide guidance for in-seam gas drainage borehole design and sealing, in order to enhance the gas drainage performance and reduce gas emissions into underground roadways.     

利用采空区瓦斯流动规律进行瓦斯抽放的探讨

通过对采空区抽放瓦斯试验进行分析 ,找出了试验失败的原因 .在对采空区瓦斯流动规律分析研究的基础上 ,提出了采空区瓦斯抽放的设想 ,为采空区瓦斯抽放提出了新的理论依据 .研究认为 ,进行采空区瓦斯抽放不仅有利于大气环境保护和安全生产 ,而且还可以创造出可观的经济效益 .     

基于卸压开采的下向穿层钻孔抽采瓦斯技术

为了实现下伏被保护层的卸压瓦斯抽采最大化,本文提出了保护层开采采用“Y”型通风沿空留巷技术,同时配合下向穿层钻孔的立体式抽采瓦斯技术,优化确定了下向钻孔的技术参数、施工时间、粉尘防治等工艺难题。工程实践表明,下向穿层钻孔单孔抽采瓦斯纯量可达0．2m^3/min,最大约0．45m^3/min,浓度高达60～90％,高效稳定时间约20～30d,可实现卸压瓦斯的抽采最大化。     

Experimental and measured research on three-dimensional deformation law of gas drainage borehole in coal seam

Using self-researched gas drainage borehole stability dynamic monitoring device, three-dimensional deformation characteristics of borehole under steady vertical load were researched experimentally and systematically. This research indicated that under the action of steady loading, the mechanical deformation path of the simulated gas drainage borehole is gradually complicated, and the decay of the borehole circumferential strain is an important characterization of the prediction and early warning of borehole instability and collapse. The horizontal position of borehole occurs compressive strain, and the vertical of which occurs tensile strain under the action of vertical stress. At the initial stage of loading, the vertical strain is more sensitive than that in the horizontal direction. After a certain period of time, the horizontal strain is gradually higher than the vertical one, and the intersection of the borehole horizontal diameter and the hole wall is the stress concentration point. With the increase of the depth of hole, the strain shows a gradual decay trend as a whole, and the vertical strain decays more observably, but there is no absolute position correlation between the amount of strain decay and the increase in borehole depth,and the area within 1.5 times the orifice size is the borehole stress concentration zone.     

高瓦斯煤层群保护层开采卸压效果数值模拟

为合理选择保护层,针对高瓦斯突出煤层群安全开采问题,分析了保护层开采的保护作用机理,即保护层开采可对被保护层起到卸压增透作用,改善被保护层的瓦斯抽放效果是解决煤与瓦斯突出问题及瓦斯灾害的重要技术手段;卸压对煤与瓦斯突出及瓦斯问题的解决具有决定作用.针对某矿高瓦斯突出煤层群生产地质条件,采用FLAC3D数值软件模拟2个非突出煤层作为保护层开采时的卸压效果,并对其进行了分析比较,研究结果可为保护层的合理选择提供参考依据.