Disasters of gas-coal spontaneous combustion in goaf of steeply inclined extra-thick coal seams

In light of the escalating global energy imperatives,mining of challenging-to-access resources,such as steeply inclined extra-thick coal seams(SIEC),has emerged as one of the future trends within the domain of energy advancement.However,there is a risk of gas and coal spontaneous combustion coupling disasters(GCC)within the goaf of SIEC due to the complex goaf structure engendered by the unique mining methodologies of SIEC.To ensure that SIEC is mined safely and efficiently,this study conducts research on the GCC within the goaf of SIEC using field observation,theoretical analysis,and numerical modeling.The results demonstrate that the dip angle,the structural dimensions in terms of width-to-length ratio,and compressive strength of the overlying rock are the key factors contributing to the goaf instability of SIEC.The gangue was asymmetrically filled,primarily accumulating within the central and lower portions of the goaf,and the filling height increased proportionally with the advancing caving height,the expansion coefficient,and the thickness of the surrounding rock formation.The GCC occurs in the goaf of SIEC,with an air-return side range of 41 m and an air-intake side range of 14 m,at the intersection area of the“<”-shaped oxygen concentration distribution(coal spontaneous combustion)and the“>”-shaped gas concentration distribution(gas explosion).The optimal nitrogen flow rate is 1000 m3/h with an injection port situated 25 m away from the working face for the highest nitrogen diffusion efficacy and lowest risk of gas explosion,coal spontaneous combustion,and GCC.It has significant engineering applications for ensuring the safe mining of SIEC threatened by the GCC.

Effect and Mechanism of Rare Earth Hydrotalcite Inhibiting Coal Spontaneous Combustion

A hydrotalcite(layered double hydroxide, LDH) inhibitor which is suitable for the whole process of coal spontaneous combustion and a LDH inhibitor containing rare earth lanthanum elements were prepared. The inhibition effect and mechanism were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD), thermal performance analysis, in-situ diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy and temperature-programmed experiment. The results have shown that the inhibitor containing lanthanum can play a good inhibitory role in every stage of coal oxidation. During the slow oxidation of coal samples, the inhibitor containing lanthanum ions can slow down the oxidation process of coal and increase the initial temperature of coal spontaneous combustion. At the same time, because the hydroxyl groups in LDHs are connected with-COO-groups on the coal surface through hydrogen bonds, the stability of coal is improved. With the increase of temperature, LDHs can remove interlayer water molecules and reduce the surface temperature of coal. CO release rate of coal samples decreases significantly after adding inhibitor containing lanthanum element, and the maximum inhibition rate of the inhibitor is 58.1%.

Presenting an engineering classification system for coal spontaneous combustion potential

The phenomenon of coal spontaneous combustion is one of the common hazards in coal mines and also one of the important reasons for the loss of coal in piles and mines. Based on previous researches, different types of coals have different spontaneous combustion characteristics. For coal loss prevention, a measure is necessary for prediction of coal spontaneous combustion. In this study, a new engineering classification system called ＂Coal Spontaneous Combustion Potential Index （CSCPI）＂ is presented based on the Fuzzy Delphi Analytic Hierarchy Process （FDAHP） approach. CSCPI classifies coals based on their spontaneous combustion capability. After recognition of the roles of the effective parameters influencing the initiation of a spontaneous combustion, a series of intrinsic, geological, and mining characteristics of coal seams are investigated. Then, the main stages of the implementation of the FDAHP method are studied and the weight of each parameter involved is calculated. A classification list of each parameter is formed, the CSCPI system is described, and the engineering classifying system is subsequently presented. In the CSCPI system, each coal seam can be rated by a number from 0 to 100; a higher number implies a greater ease for the coal spontaneous combustion capability. Based on the CSCPI system, the propensity of spontaneous combustion of coal can be classified into three potential levels： low, medium, and high. Finally, using the events of coal spontaneous combustion occurring in one of the Iranian coal mines, Eastern Alborz Coal Mines, an initial validation of the mentioned systematic approach is conducted. Comparison of the results obtained in this study illustrate a relatively good agreement.

Numerical comparison of coal spontaneous combustion danger influenced by different methane drainage patterns in gob area

The influence of gas drainage on float coal spontaneous combustion in the work face with ＂U＂ style ventilation was studied. Numerical simulation was used to compare the mutative law of steady flow and density field in the gob area under different drainage conditions by solving the equation set, including mass, momentum, and component transition. Consequently, the sequence of drainage effect and safety was obtained. The result manifests that the more effective the drainage pattern is, the easier float coal spontaneous combustion is caused due to air being guided into the depth of the gob area when the drainage position is arranged in the gas accumulation area. If the widened scope of oxidation zone exceeds the upper limit of the work face advancing speed, nitrogen injection should be applied to decrease the probability of spontaneous combustion. Then, the pipe laying drainage in the upper angle is most economical and safe compared with other drainage patterns when only the situation of gas accumulation is controlled in the upper angle. Finally, drainage pressure must not be too great. Otherwise the drainage density will decrease even if hazard is caused by back flow possibly happening in the return outlet when the drainage position is arranged near the work face.

Basic theory research of coal spontaneous combustion

Discussed latest research results of basic theory research of coal spontaneous combustion in detail,with quantum chemical theory and method and experiment syste- matically studied chemical structure of coal molecule,adsorption mechanism of coal sur- face to oxygen molecule and chemical reaction mechanism and process of spontaneous combustion of organic macromolecule and low molecular weight compound in coal from microcosmic view,and established complete theoretical system of the mechanism of coal spontaneous combustion.

Critical Value of CO of Forecasting Coal Spontaneous Combustion

CO has been used widely in the production process of colliery as an index gas to predict spontaneous combustion of coal. But in some collieries there are CO gas in the upper corner of the face all the times, sometime CO gas even exceeds the regulated critical index. This phenomenon is much more obvious in the fully-mechanized longwall face and fully-mechanized longwall and top-coal caving face. Although many measures of fire-proof and fire-extinguishing have been adopted, the flowing amount of CO gas can be only decreasd, but can not be eliminated completely. Using the different kinds of coal, the experiment of coal oxidation was made at the low temperature. The experiment indicates that some kinds of coal can produce CO under the condition of normal temperature oxidation, sometime the CO consistency is very high, and the intension of CO can be decreased with oxidation time prolonging. Selecting rational critical value of CO is the kev to predicting spontaneous combustion of coal correctly and reliably. The problem of selecting retional critical value of CO was studied. Finally, the amount of CO gas released by different kinds of coal was obtained under normal temperature condition.

The shortest period of coal spontaneous combustion on the basis of oxidative heat release intensity

It’s necessary to forecast the shortest spontaneous combustion period for preventing and controlling the coal spontaneous combustion.During the experimental process,a calculating model of the SSCP is established on the basis of the oxidative heat release intensity and thermal capacity at different temperatures.According to the basic parameters of spontaneous combustion,heat of water evaporation and gas desorption,the SSCPs of different coals are further predicted.Finally,this study analyzed the relationships of the SSCP and the judging indexes of the self-ignite tendency.The result shows that the SSCP non-linearly increases with the decrease of dynamic oxygen adsorption and increase of activation energy.Compared with the practical fire situation of mine,this reliable method can meet the actual requirement of mine production.

Forecast of coal spontaneous combustion with artificial neural network model based on testing and monitoring gas indices

Forecast is very important for preventing and controlling the disaster of spontaneous combustion （sponcom）. Gaseous products of coal, such as carbon monoxide, ethylene, propane and hydrogen, are commonly used as indicators to reflect its status quo of sponcom in coal mines. Nevertheless, since the corresponding relationship between the temperature and the indicators is non-linear and can＇t be depicted with simple mathematical formula, it is very difficult to diagnose and forecast coal sponcom by monitoring indicator gases＇ distribution. A forward feeding 3-layer artificial neural network （ANN） model is employed to express the corresponding relation between temperature and index gases of coal sponcom more accurately. A large amount of data from programmed temperature oxidation experiments were employed to train the network to gain the connection strength between nerve cells and to accomplish the model. It proved in real coal productions that the ANN model can forecast coal sponcom accurately.

Experimental simulation and numerical analysis of coal spontaneous combustion process at low temperature

The characteristic of coal spontaneous combustion includes oxidative property and exothermic capacity. It can really simulate the process of coal spontaneous combustion to use the large scale experimental unit loading coal 1 000 kg. According to the field change of gas concentration and coal temperature determined through experiment of coal self ignite at low temperature stage, and on the basis of hydromechanics and heat transfer theory, some parameters can be calculated at different low temperature stage, such as, oxygen consumption rate, heat liberation intensity. It offers a theoretic criterion for quantitatively analyzing characteristic of coal self ignite and forecasting coal spontaneous combustion. According to coal exothermic capability and its thermal storage surroundings, thermal equilibrium is applied to deduce the computational method of limit parameter of coal self ignite. It offers a quantitative theoretic criterion for coal self ignite forecasting and preventing. According to the measurement and test of spontaneous combustion of Haibei coal, some token parameter of Haibei coal spontaneous combustion is quantitatively analyzed, such as, spontaneous combustion period of coal, critical temperature, oxygen consumption rate, heat liberation intensity, and limit parameter of coal self ignite.

Study and application of plasticity plaster-slurry for preventing coal spontaneous combustion

Introduced the modulation scheme, function and mechanism of plasticity plaster slurry preventing coal spontaneous combustion. The applications show that the plasticity plaster slurry has good hygroscopicity and adsorptivity. To spray it on the coal wall of tunnel can shut off leakage wind fast and effectively. To press it into the coal body can absorb the heat and descend the temperature, surround the coal pieces, eliminate the possibility of the fiery district resuming combustion.

Time-shift effect of spontaneous combustion characteristics and microstructure difference of dry-soaked coal

The physical and chemical properties of the air-dried residual coal after soaking in the goaf will change,resulting in an increase in its spontaneous combustion tendency.This study aimed to look into the features and mechanism of soaked-dried coal's spontaneous combustion.Five samples of coal were dried to various degrees,and the weight loss features during thermal processing were examined.Based on this,the pore structure and chemical structure characteristics of the coal samples with the highest tendency to spontaneous combustion were quantitatively examined,and the mechanism by which soaking-drying afected the spontaneous combustion heating process of the remaining coal in goaf was investigated in turn.The results show that T1 decreases with the increase of drying time,T2–T6 shows a fuctuating change,and the ignition activation energy of 36-S-Coal is smaller than that of other coal samples.The pore type of 36-S-Coal changes from a oneend closed impermeable pore to an open pore,and the pore group area is large.During the 36 h drying process,the internal channels of the coal were dredged,and a large number of gravels and minerals were precipitated from the pores with the air fow.A large number of gravels were around the pores to form a surface structure that was easy to adsorb various gases.Furthermore,infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the two coal samples.It was found that soaking and drying did not change the functional group types of coal samples,but the fatty chain degree of 36-S-Coal was reduced to 1.56.It shows that the aliphatic chain structure of coal is changed after 36 h of drying after 30 days of soaking,which leads to the continuous shedding of aliphatic chain branches of residual coal,and the skeleton of coal is looser,which makes the low-temperature oxidation reaction of 36-S-Coal easier.Based on the above results,the coal-oxygen composite mechanism of water-immerseddried coal is obtained,and it is considered that the key to the spontaneous combustion oxidation process of coal is to provide oxygen atoms and accelerate the formation of peroxides.

Effects of pyrite on the spontaneous combustion of coal

Abstract Pyrite has a significant effect on the spontaneous combustion of coal. The presence of pyrite can change the propensity of coal towards spontaneous combustion. The influences of various pyrite contents on the parameters of spontaneous combustion, such as index gases, temperature and released heat etc., were investigated in this study, Coal samples with different pyrite contents （0 %, 3 %, 5 %, 7 % and 9 %） were made by mixing coal and pyrite. The oxidation experiments under temperature-programmed condition were carried out to test the release rate of gaseous oxidation products at different temperatures. Differential scanning calorimeter （DSC） was employed to measure the intensity of heat release during coal oxidation for various pyrite contents. The results indicate that pyrite can nonlinearly accelerate the process of spontaneous combustion. The coal sample with a pyrite content of 5 % has the largest CO release rate and oxygen adsorption as well. However, the coal sample with a pyrite content of ？ % has the largest rate of heat flow according to the results from the DSC tests. Pyrite contents of 5 %-7 % in coal has the most significant effects on spontaneous combustion within the range of this study. The conclusions are conducive to the evaluation and control for the spontaneous combustion of coal.

Thermogravimetric study of the effect of a PVA oxygen-insulating barrier on the spontaneous combustion of coal

Coal samples in the air for three months were characterized by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The effect of a PVA oxygen-insulating barrier on the spontaneous combustion of coal was examined. The moisture loss activation energy, oxidation activation energy and combustion activation energy were calculated by an integral method using the Coats-Redfen formula. The results show that the tendency for spontaneous combustion of three coal samples (judged by the activation energy) falls in the order: CYW>YJL>SW. The oxidation activation energy and combustion activation energy of coal protected by the PVA oxygen-insulating barrier increased. A significant increase in the combustion activation energy was noted, especially for the CYW coal where the in-crease was 28.53 kJ/mol. Hence, oxidation of the protected coal samples was more difficult. The PVA oxygen-insulating barrier helps to prevent spontaneous combustion of the coal.

Experimental study on performance that carbon dioxide inhibits coal oxidation and spontaneous combustion

Adopting oil-bath temperature programming experiment and gas chromatography, CO2＇s inhibitory performance on spontaneous combustion of Tingnan Coal Mine sample was analyzed. Through temperature rise rate test experiment, the accuracy, stability and reliability of the improved oil-bath temperature programming system applied in this experiment was proved to be superior to the traditional system. Spontaneous combustion characters parameters test of coal sample in pure air was carried out with this system and offered comparison standard for research in next stage. Temperature programming to coal sample was further conducted in oil-bath with different concentration of CO2. Testing results are compared with parameters of concentration of CO, O2, temperature, CO generation rate and O2 consumption rate tested and calculated in previous experiment in pure air. Methods of proportioning between concentration of CO and O2, CO concentration and temperature, CO generation rate and O2 consumption rate were applied to eliminate obstructions from certain external factors such as inlet of CO2; meanwhile influences of CO2 of different concentrations to coal oxidation and spontaneous combustion were investigated. Also CO2 inhibition technique was used in spontaneous combustion prevention in workface No. 106 of Tingnan Coal Mine, data collected from which indicate that CO2 performs well in inhibiting coal oxidation and spontaneous combustion.

Performance of water-based foams affected by chemical inhibitors to retard spontaneous combustion of coal

The micelle generating process of the sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS) solution with the addition of chemical inhibitors was elucidated using phase separation model, and the descending order of the capacity for the selected chemical inhibitors to reduce the critical micelle concentrations of the solution are Mg Cl_2, Ca Cl_2,NH_4HCO_3 and NH_4Cl. The data to quantitatively describe the foam decay process, including foaming ratio,foam life and decay behaviors, was obtained by pressure measuring system. The results indicate that chemical inhibitors can improve the solution foamability. The capacity of the inhibitors to enhance the solution foamability is sorted as NH_4 Cl, NH_4HCO_3, Mg Cl2 and Ca Cl_2 which can distinctly improve the foam stability as well. The capacity of the inhibitors to enhance the SDS foam stability can be arranged as Mg Cl_2, NH_4 Cl, NH_4HCO_3 and Ca Cl_2. It is observed that the gravity drainage plays a leading role in the increase of proportion of diffusion drainage. The oxidation dynamic parameters of the coal samples treated by inhibition foams were investigated using thermal analysis technique, and their synergistic effects on inhibiting coal oxidation were explored.

Study on partition of spontaneous combustion danger zone and prediction of self-ignition in coalmine based on numeric simulation

By solving steady model of air flow diffusion and chemical reaction in loose coal, distribution of oxygen concentration and flow velocity magnitude were obtained. Compared the simulating results with critic value as well as duration of spontaneous combustion from large-scale spontaneous combustion experiment, 'three zones' of spontaneous combustion were partitioned and mining conditions to avoid spontaneous combustion were obtained. The above method was employed to partition 'three zones' in gob of fully mechanized top-coal caving long wall face and got fairly good result. Calculation of the above method is much smaller than simulating the whole process of coal spontaneous combustion, but the prediction precision can satisfy the demand of predicting and extinguishing spontaneous combustion in mining.

Spontaneous coal combustion producing carbon dioxide and water

Gas products from the process of coal oxidization and spontaneous combustion have been studied at different temperatures with FTI spectroscopic tests. With temperatures rising to about 30~100 ℃, water and carbon dioxide gas were formed and from about 105~150 ℃, carbon monoxide was produced. Using the DFT B3LYP method with a 6-311G basis set, the reaction system, where spontaneous combustion between coal and oxygen occurs and produces water and monoxide, has been studied, with the geometric configuration for all stagnation points on the potential reaction energy surface optimized. With a frequency analysis and an IRC method, transient formations were tested. Our results indicate that in the reaction of coal oxidization and spontaneous com-bustion producing carbon dioxide and water, oxygen molecules attack carbon atoms of the terminal of the propyl alcohol group on the lateral chain of benzene rings, which causes this propyl alcohol group to produce the acid (-CH2-CH2-COOH) group and water. This acid group continues its break up into carbon dioxide and the (-CH2-CH3) ethyl group. We have come to the conclusion that this water-and-carbon dioxide-production reaction is spontaneous, based on the observation of the energy released by the reaction.

Analysis and key control technologies to prevent spontaneous coal combustion occurring at a fully mechanized caving face with large obliquity in deep mines

In order to prevent spontaneous coal combustion occurring at a fully mechanized caving face with large obliquity in deep mines in China, we have analyzed the characteristics of spontaneous coal combustion and explain theoretically the factors affecting spontaneous coal combustion, such as rock bursts, high temperatures, high ventilation resistance, slow advancing speed and large obliquity mining. Key technologies to prevent spontaneous combustion occurring in sharply inclined seams in deep mines are pro- posed; these include pouring water, stopping leakage in upper and lower comers of the working face, choking off the goaf and cov- eting the coal. CO concentrations were controlled within two years to less than 15×10^-6 at the upper comer by applying these tech- nologies at the 1410 working face of the Huafeng coal mine. Our method has significant theoretical value and is of practical impor- tance in controlling spontaneous coal combustion occurring at a fully mechanized caving face with large obliquity in deep mines.

A new theory of chemical method to prevent spontaneous combustion of coal

In order to prevent spontaneous combustion of coal from the source,based onthe study on the mechanism of spontaneous combustion of coal,especially the process ofcoal to self-ignite and different activate structures have different activation for oxidization,the new theory and mechanism with chemical inhibition that can change the tendency ofspontaneous combustion of coal and let the activate structures deactivate were broughtforward.Therefore,coal was not self-ignited under a certain temperature when beingchemically inhibited.

Development of a spontaneous combustion TARPs system based on BP neural network

Spontaneous combustion of coal is a major cause of coal mine fires.It not only poses a severe hazard to the safe extraction of coal resources,but also jeopardizes the safety of mine workers.The development of a scientific management system of coal spontaneous combustion is of vital importance to the safe production of coal mine.This paper provides a comparative analysis of a range of worldwide prediction techniques and methods for coal spontaneous combustion,and systematically introduces the trigger action response plans(TARPs)system used in Australian coal mines for managing the spontaneous heating of coal.An artificial neural network model has been established on the basis of real coal mine operational conditions.Through studying and training the neural network model,prediction errors can be controlled within the allowable range.The trained model is then applied to the conditions of Nos.1 and 3 coal seams located in Weijiadi Coal Mine to demonstrate its feasibility for spontaneous combustion assessment.Based upon the TARPs system which is commonly used in Australian longwall mines,a TARPs system has been developed for Weijiadi Coal Mine to assist the management of spontaneous combustion hazard and ensure the safe operation of its mining activities.