Review of coal and gas outburst in Australian underground coal mines

Outburst of coal and gas represents a significant risk to the health and safety of mine personnel working in development and longwall production face areas. There have been over 878 outburst events recorded in twenty-two Australian underground coal mines. Most outburst incidents have been associated with abnormal geological conditions.Details of Australian outburst incidents and mining experience in conditions where gas content was above current threshold levels are presented and discussed. Mining experience suggests that for gas content below 9.0 m³/t, mining in carbon dioxide (CO₂) rich seam gas conditions does not pose a greater risk of outburst than mining in CH₄ rich seam gas conditions. Mining experience also suggests that where no abnormal geological structures are present that mining in areas with gas content greater than the current accepted threshold levels can be undertaken with no discernible increase in outburst risk. The current approach to determining gas content threshold limits in Australian mines has been effective in preventing injury from outburst, however operational experience suggests the current method is overly conservative and in some cases the threshold limits are low to the point that they provide no significant reduction in outburst risk. Other factors that affect outburst risk, such as gas pressure, coal toughness and stress and geological structures are presently not incorporated into outburst threshold limits adopted in Australian mines. These factors and the development of an outburst risk index applicable to Australian underground coal mining conditions are the subject of ongoing research.     

Application study on complex wetting agent for dust-proof after gas drainage by outburst seams in coal mines

After gas drainage,the outburst seam is dry and,consequently,during subsequent mechanized mining,unwanted dust production is extensive.Because the hard dustfall typically has a small particle size it contains a high percentage of respirable dust.Considering these factors,this paper improved the efficiency of dustfall by reducing the surface tension of the liquid used as a wetting agent,then configuring five kinds of wetting agents by adopting various doses and types of surfactants,neutral inorganic salts and chemical additives,etc.After purchasing DA-85 and SRJ-1 wetting agent,the surface tension and critical micelle concentration of seven kinds of wetting agents were measured using the capillary rise method.Wetting agent A was confirmed to have the best comprehensive effect.The experiments were optimized by measuring and comparatively analyzing contact angles of pure water,SRJ-1 wetting agent and wetting agent A on the surface of different coal samples using a contact angle measurement instrument(HARKESPCA).By comparative analysis,dust-proof effects of seam,dynamic pressure water infusion and highpressure spray in the tunneling face at the Daning coal mine using pure water,wetting agent SRJ-1and A,it was determined that after using wetting agent A,the average dust concentration in the place of the mining machine driver,10 m and 110 m away from the tunneling front is approximately 300 mg/m~3,240 mg/m~3 and 100 mg/m~3,respectively.This practice increased the dust-proof efficiency dramatically and achieved a good comprehensive dust-proof effect.     

Application of coal mine roof rating in Chinese coal mines

The coal mine roof rating(CMRR) is a measure of roof quality or structure competency for bedded roof types typically of underground coal mines. The CMRR has been used widely in the US, South Africa,Canada and Australia. In order to investigate the application of the CMRR system in Chinese coal mines,two coal mines in China located in Panjiang Coal Field in Guizhou Province were investigated. Field data were collected which is required to calculate the CMRR value based on underground exposure. The CMRR values of 11 locations in two coal mines were calculated. The investigations demonstrated that the chance of mine roof failure is very low if the CMRR value is more than 50, given adequate support is installed in mine. It was found that the CMRR guideline are useful to preliminarily investigate stability in Panjiang Coal Field mines.     

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.     

我国煤矿瓦斯抽放存在的问题及对策探讨

通过对我国煤矿瓦斯抽放现状的分析,指出预抽时间短、钻孔工程量不足、封孔质量差、抽放系统不匹配、管理不到位是造成目前我国煤矿瓦斯抽放率偏低的主要原因,并结合国内外的最新研究进展,探讨了解决上述问题的技术对策.     

Spatial context in the calculation of gas emissions for underground coal mines

The prediction of gas emissions arising from underground coal mining has been the subject of extensive research for several decades, however calculation techniques remain empirically based and are hence limited to the origin of calculation in both application and resolution. Quantification and management of risk associated with sudden gas release during mining(outbursts) and accumulation of noxious or combustible gases within the mining environment is reliant on such predictions, and unexplained variation correctly requires conservative management practices in response to risk. Over 2500 gas core samples from two southern Sydney basin mines producing metallurgical coal from the Bulli seam have been analysed in various geospatial context including relationships to hydrological features and geological structures. The results suggest variability and limitations associated with the present traditional approaches to gas emission prediction and design of gas management practices may be addressed using predictions derived from improved spatial datasets, and analysis techniques incorporating fundamental physical and energy related principles.     

Effect of variation in gas distribution on explosion propagation characteristics in coal mines

In order to investigate the effect of variation in the distribution of gas on explosion propagation characteristics in coal mines, experiments were carried out in two different channels with variation in gas concentration and geometry. Flame and pressure transducers were used to track the explosion front velocity. The flame speed (Sf) showed a slight downward trend while the methane concentration varied from 10% to 3% in the experimental channel. The peak overpressure (Pmax) dropped dramatically when com-pared with normal conditions. As well, the values of Pmax and Sf decreased when the methane concentration dropped from 8% to 6%. The flame speed in the channel, connected to a cylinder with a length varying from 0.5 to 2 m, was greater than that in the normal channel. The peak overpressure was also higher than that under normal conditions because of a higher flame speed and stronger pressure piling up. The values of Pmax and Sf increased with an increase in cylinder length. The research results indicate that damage caused by explosions can be reduced by decreasing the gas concentration, which should be immediately detected in roadways with large cross-sections because of the possibility of greater destruction caused by more serious explosions.     

低透气性煤层的瓦斯抽采工艺研究

瓦斯抽放是解决矿井瓦斯涌出、防治瓦斯超限的有效方法,其效果的好坏主要由预抽钻孔参数及煤层透气性系数决定.以阳煤集团开元公司五矿为实验基地,确定了矿井采面瓦斯抽采合理的工艺参数和封孔技术.通过改变预抽钻孔参数克服了煤层透气性低产生的问题,同时对矿井的瓦斯抽放规律进行了研究.通过优化实验方案,使瓦斯抽采效果明显改善,确保了工作面的安全生产.     

我国煤矿瓦斯抽放存在的问题及对策探讨

通过对我国煤矿瓦斯抽放现状的分析,指出预抽时间短、钻孔工程量不足、封孔质量差、抽放系统不匹配、管理不到位是造成目前我国煤矿瓦斯抽放率偏低的主要原因,并结合国内外的最新研究进展,探讨了解决上述问题的技术对策。     

Variation in gas drainage rate from a coal seam during mining

Gas flow patterns during draining of gas from a coal seam during mining are discussed. The coal seam is treated as a dual medium with both pores and cracks. The seepage, diffusion, and desorption processes are treated using a gas flow equation that describes flow around drill holes. MATLAB is used to solve the differential equations. The permeability tracer test results from a mined coal seam are used to study the variation in gas drainage from a coal seam during mining. The results show that mining can increase the permeability of a coal seam, which then increases the gas drainage. There are inflection points in this variation over time. A close relationship between this variation and the rate of change in coal seam permeability is observed.     

采煤工作面瓦斯涌出量的灰色建模及预测研究

矿井瓦斯涌出量预测是新建矿井和改扩建矿井通风设计、安全管理、制定合理的瓦斯防治措施必不可少的重要环节,瓦斯涌出量预测精度的高低直接决定着矿井生产时的安全程度、经济效益的好坏,因此,瓦斯涌出量预测一直是国内外学者十分关注的研究课题.长期以来,我国一直沿用传统的矿山统计法和瓦斯含量法来预测矿井瓦斯涌出量,这两种预测方法都有各自的适用条件和局限性.本文介绍一种新的瓦斯涌出量预测方法--灰色非定空预测法的原理及应用.实践表明利用该法能迅速、准确地对"贫息"的预测区(包括新矿区)进行瓦斯涌出量预测.     

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.     

采煤工作面瓦斯涌出量的灰色建模及预测研究

矿井瓦斯涌出量预测是新建矿井和改扩建矿井通风设计、安全管理、制定合理的瓦斯防治措施必不可少的重要环节,瓦斯涌出量预测精度的高低直接决定着矿井生产时的安全程度、经济效益的好坏,因此,瓦斯涌出量预测一直是国内外学者十分关注的研究课题.长期以来,我国一直沿用传统的矿山统计法和瓦斯含量法来预测矿井瓦斯涌出量,这两种预测方法都有各自的适用条件和局限性.本文介绍一种新的瓦斯涌出量预测方法———灰色非定空预测法的原理及应用.实践表明:利用该法能迅速、准确地对"贫息"的预测区(包括新矿区)进行瓦斯涌出量预测.     

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.     

Rockburst mechanism in soft coal seam within deep coal mines

A number of rockburst accidents occurring in soft coal seams have shown that the rockburst mechanism involved in soft coal seams is significantly different from that involved in hard coal seams. Therefore, the method used to evaluate rockburst in hard coal seams is not applicable to soft coal seams. This paper established an energy integral model for the rockburst-inducing area and a friction work calculation model for the plastic area. If the remaining energy after the coal seam is broken in the rockburstinducing area is greater than the friction work required for the coal to burst out, then a rockburst accident will occur. Mechanisms of ‘‘quaking without bursting" and ‘‘quaking and bursting" are clarified for soft coal seams and corresponding control measures are proposed as the optimization of roadway layouts and use of ‘‘three strong systems"(strong de-stressing, strong supporting, and strong monitoring).     

煤矿井下水力压裂增透抽采瓦斯存在问题分析及对策

在分析总结我国煤矿井下水力压裂增透抽采已有研究成果的基础上,从理论基础、装备水平、技术工艺等方面探讨了井下钻孔水力压裂取得的成绩与不足,认为目前煤矿井下水力压裂增透抽采理论与技术多借鉴于石油气、煤层气开采的相关研究成果,尚没有完全形成以煤层瓦斯赋存特征、采掘应力场、裂隙场、流场的动态变化特征和井下瓦斯抽采特点等为基础的、特色鲜明的煤矿井下水力压裂理论及技术体系。据此,提出了相应对策:大力发展瓦斯抽采地质学,研究水力压裂前、中、后地应力和水力裂缝演化规律及瓦斯抽采的动态响应特征;进一步提高煤矿井下水力压裂的钻孔、封孔、压裂、测试等相关的设备水平;以缝网改造为煤矿井下水力压裂技术的发展思路,结合井下三场动态变化特征,有的放矢进行水力压裂设计,丰富内涵,扩展外延;大力发展井下与地面联合水力压裂抽采瓦斯及煤气共采等理论与技术。为煤矿井下水力压裂的推广应用提供一定的借鉴。