Stability analysis of longwall top-coal caving face in extra-thick coal seams based on an innovative numerical hydraulic support model

The relationship between support and surrounding rock is of great significance to the control of surrounding rock in mining process.In view of the fact that most of the existing numerical simulation methods construct virtual elements and stress servo control to approximately replace the hydraulic support problem,this paper establishes a new numerical model of hydraulic support with the same working characteristics as the actual hydraulic support by integrating numerical simulation software Rhino,Griddle and FLAC3D,which can realize the simulation of different working conditions.Based on this model,the influence mechanism of the supporting strength of hydraulic support on surrounding rock stress regulation and coal stability in front of the top coal caving face in extra thick coal seam were researched.Firstly,under different support intensity,the abutment pressure of the bearing coal and the coal in front of it presents the “three-stage”evolution characteristics.The influence range of support intensity is 15%–30%.Secondly,1.5 MPa is the upper limit of impact that the support strength can have on the front coal failure area.Thirdly,within a displacement range of 2.76 m from the coal wall,a support strength of1.5 MPa provides optimal control of the horizontal displacement of the coal.

Insights into carbon dioxide sequestration into coal seams through coupled gas flow-adsorption-deformation modelling

Injecting carbon dioxide(CO_(2))into coal seams may unlock substantial carbon sequestration potential.Since the coal acts like a carbon filter,it can preferentially absorb significant amounts of CO_(2).To explore this further,desorption of the adsorbed gas due to pressure drop is investigated in this paper,to achieve an improved understanding of the long-term fate of injected CO_(2) during post-injection period.This paper presents a dual porosity model coupling gas flow,adsorption and geomechanics for studying coupled processes and effectiveness of CO_(2) sequestration in coals.A new adsorption?desorption model derived based on thermodynamics is incorporated,particularly,the desorption hysteresis is considered.The reliability of the proposed adsorption-desorption isotherm is examined via validation tests.It is indicated that occurrence of desorption hysteresis is attributed to the adsorption-induced pore deformation.After injection ceases,the injected gas continues to propagate further from the injection well,while the pressure in the vicinity of the injection well experiences a significant drop.Although the adsorbed gas near the well also decreases,this decrease is less compared to that in pressure because of desorption hysteresis.The unceasing spread of CO_(2) and drops of pressure and adsorbed gas depend on the degree of desorption hysteresis and heterogeneity of coals,which should be considered when designing CO_(2) sequestration into coal seams.

Research on the mechanism of rockburst induced by mined coal-rock linkage of sharply inclined coal seams

In recent years,the mining depth of steeply inclined coal seams in the Urumqi mining area has gradually increased.Local deformation of mining coal-rock results in frequent rockbursts.This has become a critical issue that affects the safe mining of deep,steeply inclined coal seams.In this work,we adopt a perspective centered on localized deformation in coal-rock mining and systematically combine theoretical analyses and extensive data mining of voluminous microseismic data.We describe a mechanical model for the urgently inclined mining of both the sandwiched rock pillar and the roof,explaining the mechanical response behavior of key disaster-prone zones within the deep working face,affected by the dynamics of deep mining.By exploring the spatial correlation inherent in extensive microseismic data,we delineate the“time-space”response relationship that governs the dynamic failure of coal-rock during the progression of the sharply inclined working face.The results disclose that(1)the distinctive coal-rock occurrence structure characterized by a“sandwiched rock pillar-B6 roof”constitutes the origin of rockburst in the southern mining area of the Wudong Coal Mine,with both elements presenting different degrees of deformation localization with increasing mining depth.(2)As mining depth increases,the bending deformation and energy accumulation within the rock pillar and roof show nonlinear acceleration.The localized deformation of deep,steeply inclined coal-rock engenders the spatial superposition of squeezing and prying effects in both the strike and dip directions,increasing the energy distribution disparity and stress asymmetry of the“sandwiched rock pillar-B3+6 coal seam-B6 roof”configuration.This makes worse the propensity for frequent dynamic disasters in the working face.(3)The developed high-energy distortion zone“inner-outer”control technology effectively reduces high stress concentration and energy distortion in the surrounding rock.After implementation,the average apparent resistivity in the rock pillar and B6 roof substantially increased by 430%and 300%,respectively,thus guaranteeing the safe and efficient development of steeply inclined coal seams.

Astronomical influence of the development of Paleogene thin coal seam groups in offshore Lacustrine basins:A case study of the ZhuⅠDepression's Enping Formation located in the northern South China Sea

The development of the Paleogene coal seams in China's offshore basin areas generally had the characteristics of coal measures with large thicknesses,large numbers of coal seams,thin single coal seams,poor stability,scattered vertical distribution,and a wide distribution range.This study selected the Enping Formation of the ZhuⅠDepression in the northern section of the South China Sea as an example to determine the macro-control factors of the development of the Paleogene coal seam groups.An analysis was carried out on the influencing effects and patterns of the astronomical cycles related to the development of the thin coal seam groups in the region.A floating astronomical time scale of the Enping Formation was established,and the sedimentary time limit of the Enping Formation was determined to be approximately 6.15 Ma±.In addition,the cyclostratigraphy analysis results of the natural gamma-ray data of Well XJ in the Enping Formation of the Xijiang Sag revealed that the development of the thin coal seams had probably been affected by short eccentricity and precession factors.The formation process of coal seams was determined to have been affected by high seasonal contrast,precipitation,and insolation.During the periods with high values of short eccentricity,the seasonal contrasts tended to be high.During those periods,fluctuations in the precession controls resulted in periodic volume changes in precipitation and insolation of the region,resulting in the development of thin coal seams.It was also found that the periods with low precession were the most conducive to coal seam development.On that basis,combined with such factors as sedimentary environmental conditions conducive to the development of thin coal seam groups,this study established a theoretical model of the comprehensive influences of short eccentricity and precession on the development and distribution of Paleogene thin coal seam groups in offshore lacustrine basins.The patterns of the Paleogene astronomical periods and paleoclimate evolution,along with the control factors which impacted the development of thin coal seam groups in offshore lacustrine basins,were revealed.

Analysis of the Risk of Water Breakout in the Bottom Plate of High-Intensity Mining of Extra-Thick Coal Seams

In order to clarify the danger of water breakout in the bottom plate of extra-thick coal seam mining, 2202 working face of a mine in the west is taken as the research object, and it is proposed to use the on-site monitoring means combining borehole peeping and microseismic monitoring, combined with the theoretical analysis to analyze the danger of water breakout in the bottom plate. The results show that: 1) the theoretically calculated maximum damage depth of the bottom plate is 27.5 m, and its layer is located above the Austrian ash aquifer, which has the danger of water breakout;2) the drill hole peeping at the bottom plate of the working face shows that the depth of the bottom plate fissure development reaches 26 m, and the integrity of the water barrier layer has been damaged, so there is the risk of water breakout;3) for the microseismic monitoring of the anomalous area, the bottom plate of the return air downstream channel occurs in the field with a one-week lag, which shows that microseismic monitoring events may reflect the water breakout of the underground. This shows that the microseismic monitoring events can reflect the changes of the underground flow field, which can provide a reference basis for the early warning of water breakout. The research results can provide reference for the prediction of sudden water hazard.

Ground fissure development regularity and formation mechanism of shallow buried coal seam mining with Karst landform in Jiaozi coal mine: a case study

A comprehensive study was undertaken at Jiaozi coal mine to investigate the development regularity of ground fissures in shallow buried coal seam mining with Karst landform,shedding light on the development type,geographical distribution,dynamic development process,and failure mechanism of these ground fissures by employing field monitoring,numerical simulation,and theoretical analysis.The findings demonstrate that ground fissure development has an obvious feature of subregion,and its geographical distribution is significantly affected by topography.Tensile type,open type,and stepped type are three different categories of ground fissure.Ground fissures emerge dynamically as the panel advances,and they typically develop with a distance of less than periodic weighting step distance in advance of panel advancing position.Ground fissures present the dynamic development feature,temporary fissure has the ability of self-healing.The dynamic development process of ground fissure with closed-distance coal seam repeated mining is expounded,and the development scale is a dynamic development stage of“closure→expansion→stabilized”on the basis of the original development scale.From the perspective of topsoil deformation,the computation model considering two points movement vectors towards two directions of the gob and the ground surface is established,the development criterion considering the critical deformation value of topsoil is obtained.The mechanical model of hinged structure of inclined body is proposed to clarify the ground fissure development,and the interaction between slope activity and ground fissure development is expounded.These research results fulfill the gap of ground fissures about development regularity and formation mechanism,and can contribute to ground fissure prevention and treatment with Karst landform.

Geopolymer-based modification of blasting sealing materials and optimization of blasting block size in coal seams of open pit mines

This research proposes the utilization of a geopolymer-based blasting sealing material to improve the profitability of coal sales and reduce the rate of coal fragmentation during blasting in open pit mines.The study first focused on optimizing the strength of the sealant material and reducing curing time.This was achieved by regulating the slag doping and sodium silicate solution modulus.The findings demonstrated that increasing slag content and improving the material resulted in an early rise in strength while increasing the modulus of the sodium silicate solution extended the curing time.The slag doping level was fixed at 80 g,and the sodium silicate solution modulus was set at 1.5.To achieve a strength of 3.12 MPa,the water/gel ratio was set at 0.5.The initial setting time was determined to be 33 min,meeting the required field test duration.Secondly,the strength requirements for field implementation were assessed by simulating the action time and force destruction process of the sealing material during blasting using ANSYS/LS-DYNA software.The results indicated that the modified material meets these requirements.Finally,the Shengli Open Pit Coal Mine served as the site for the field test.It was observed that the hole-sealing material’s hydration reaction created a laminated and flocculated gel inside it.This enhanced the density of the modified material.Additionally,the pregelatinized starch,functioning as an organic binder,filled the gaps between the gels,enhancing the cohesion and bonding coefficient of the material.Upon analyzing the post-blasting shooting effect diagram using the Split-Desktop software,it was determined that the utilization of the modified blast hole plugging material resulted in a decrease in the rate of coal fragmentation from 33.2%to 21.1%.This reduction exhibited a minimal error of 1.63%when compared to the field measurement,thereby providing further confirmation of the exceptional plugging capabilities of the modified material.This study significantly contributes to establishing a solid theoretical basis for enhancing the blasting efficiency of open pit mines and,in turn,enhancing their economic advantages.

Evaluation of roof cutting by directionally single cracking technique in automatic roadway formation for thick coal seam mining

Automatic roadway formation by roof cutting is a sustainable nonpillar mining method that has the potential to increase coal recovery,reduce roadway excavation and improve mining safety.In this method,roof cutting is the key process for stress relief,which significantly affects the stability of the formed roadway.This paper presents a directionally single cracking(DSC)technique for roof cutting with considerations of rock properties.The mechanism of the DSC technique was investi-gated by explicit finite element analyses.The DSC technique and roof cutting parameters were evaluated by discrete element simulation and field experiment.On this basis,the optimized DSC technique was tested in the field.The results indicate that the DSC technique could effectively control the blast-induced stress distribution and crack propagation in the roof rock,thus,achieve directionally single cracking on the roadway roof.The DsC technique for roof cutting with optimized parameters could effectively reduce the deformation and improve the stability of the formed roadway.Field engineering application verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the evaluated DSC technique for roof cutting.

In-situ gas contents of a multi-section coal seam in Sydney basin for coal and gas outburst management

The gas content is crucial for evaluating coal and gas outburst potential in underground coal mining. This study focuses on investigating the in-situ coal seam gas content and gas sorption capacity in a representative coal seam with multiple sections (A1, A2, and A3) in the Sydney basin, where the CO_(2) composition exceeds 90%. The fast direct desorption method and associated devices were described in detail and employed to measure the in-situ gas components (Q_(1), Q_(2), and Q_(3)) of the coal seam. The results show that in-situ total gas content (Q_(T)) ranges from 9.48 m^(3)/t for the A2 section to 14.80 m^(3)/t for the A3 section, surpassing the Level 2 outburst threshold limit value, thereby necessitating gas drainage measures. Among the gas components, Q_(2) demonstrates the highest contribution to Q_(T), ranging between 55% and 70%. Furthermore, high-pressure isothermal gas sorption experiments were conducted on coal samples from each seam section to explore their gas sorption capacity. The Langmuir model accurately characterizes CO_(2) sorption behavior, with ft coefcients (R^(2)) greater than 0.99. Strong positive correlations are observed between in-situ gas content and Langmuir volume, as well as between residual gas content (Q_(3)) and sorption hysteresis. Notably, the A3 seam section is proved to have a higher outburst propensity due to its higher Q_(1) and Q_(2) gas contents, lower sorption hysteresis, and reduced coal toughness f value. The insights derived from the study can contribute to the development of efective gas management strategies and enhance the safety and efciency of coal mining operations.

Further Information of the Associated Li Deposits in the No.6 Coal Seam at Jungar Coalfield, Inner Mongolia, Northern China

Total 138 coal samples and 14 parting samples were taken from the No. 6 Seam of the Jungar Coalfield, Inner Mongolia. These samples were analysed by optical microscopy, sequential chemical extraction procedure （SCEP）, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （ICP-MS）, X-ray powder diffraction （XRD）, and scanning electron microscope in conjunction with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer （SEM-EDX） analysis. The results indicate that the Li contents have reached the industrial grade of the coal associated Li deposit, and the total Li reserves have reached 2406600 tons, that is, 5157000 tons Li2O in the No. 6 seam in the Jungar Coalfield. The sequential chemical extraction procedure results suggest that the Li concentration is mainly related to inorganic matter. The minerals in the coals consist of kaolinite, boehmite, chlorite-group mineral, quartz, calcite, pyrite, siderite and amorphous clay material. Some Li could be absorbed by clay minerals in the Li-bearing coal seam. The chlorite phase？could be？most likely the host for a part of Li. The Yinshan Oldland should be the most possible source of Li of the coal.

Hydraulic fracture initiation theory for a horizontal well in a coal seam

A series of experiments were pertbrmed to determine rock mechanical parameters related to hydraulic fracturing of coal. The effect of confining pressure and pore pressure on the strength of coal was stt, died. Experimental results show that the coal seam in the study areas has a relatively low elastic modulus, high Poisson＇s ratio, high fragility and is easily broken and compressed. The coal seam is considered as a transversely isotropic medium, since the physical properties in the direction of bedding plane and orthogonal to the bedding plane vary markedly. Based on the generalized plane strain model, stress distribution for an arbitrarily orientated wellbore in the coal seam was determined. In a horizontal well, hydraulic fracturing was lbund to initiate in the coal seam mass due to tensile failure, or from cleats due to shear or tensile failure. For those coal seams with abundant natural cleats, hydraulic fracture initiation can be induced by any of these mechanisms. In this study, hydraulic fracture initiation criteria tbr a horizontal well in a coal seam were established.

The impact of cleats on hydraulic fracture initiation and propagation in coal seams

Cleats are systematic, natural fractures in coal seams. They account for most of the permeability and much of the porosity of coalbed methane reservoirs and can have a significant effect on the success of hydraulic fracturing stimulation. Laboratory hydraulic fracturing experiments were conducted on coal blocks under true tri-axial stress to simulate fracturing stimulation of coal seams. Fractures were initiated by injecting a water gel with luminous yellow fluorescent dye into an open hole section of a wellbore. The impact of cleats on initiation and propagation of hydraulic fractures in coal seams is discussed. Three types of hydraulic fracture initiation and propagation pattern were observed in this study： 1） The hydraulic fracture initiated and then grew along the cleat. 2） The hydraulic fracture initiated along a butt cleat or a fracture （natural or induced by drilling） oriented roughly in the minimum horizontal stress direction, then turned to propagate along the first face cleat that it encountered or gradually turned towards the maximum horizontal stress direction. 3） The hydraulic fracture initiated perpendicular to the minimum stress and, when it encountered a face cleat, tended to propagate along the cleats if the extension direction does not deviate greatly （〈20° as determined in this paper） from the maximum horizontal stress direction. When a coal seam is hydraulically fractured, the resulting fracture network is controlled by the combined effect of several factors： cleats determine the initiation and extension path of the fracture, the in-situ stress state dominates the main direction of the fracture zone and bedding planes impede fracture height growth.

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).

Current status and technical challenges of C_(2)storage in coal seams and enhanced coalbed methane recovery:an overview

In the past two decades,research on C_(2)storage in coal seams and simultaneously enhanced coalbed methane recovery(ECBM)has attracted a lot of attention due to its win–win effect between greenhouse gas(C_(2))emission reduction and coalbed methane recovery enhancement.This paper presents an overview on the current status of research on C_(2)-ECBM in the past two decades,which involves C_(2)storage capacity evaluations,laboratory investigations,modelings and pilot tests.The current status shows that we have made great progress in the ECBM technology study,especially in the understanding of the ECBM mechanisms.However,there still have many technical challenges,such as the definition of unmineable coal seams for C_(2)storage capacity evaluation and storage site characterization,methods for C_(2)injectivity enhancement,etc.The low injectivity of coal seams and injectivity loss with C_(2)injection are the major technique challenges of ECBM.We also search several ways to promote the advancement of ECBM technology in the present stage,such as integrating ECBM with hydraulic fracturing,using a gas mixture instead of pure C_(2)for injection into coal seams and the application of ECBM to underground coal mines.

Experimental research on coal seam similar material proportion and its application

In this paper, the optimization design of the low strength mechanical test and orthogonal test have been analyzed in order to simulate the mechanical properties of thick and extra-thick coal seam accurately in a similar material simulation test. The results show that the specimen can reach a wider range of strength when cement has been used compared to that of gypsum, suggesting that cement is more suitable for making coal seam in similar material simulation tests. The uniaxial compressive strength is more sensitive to cement than coal or sand. The proportion of coal and sand do not play a decisive role in uniaxial compressive strength. The uniaxial compressive strength and specimen density decrease as the mass percent of coal and aggregate–binder ratio rise. There is a positive correlation between uniaxial compressive strength and density. The No. 5 proportion(cement: sand: water: activated carbon: coal = 6:6:7:1.1:79.9)was chosen to be used in the similar material simulation test of steeply dipping and extra-thick coal seam with a density of 0.913 g/cm^3 and an uniaxial compressive strength of 0.076 MPa which are in accordance with the similarity theory. The phenomenon of overburden stratum movement, fracture development and floor pressure relief were obtained during the similar material simulation test by using the proportion.

Overburden fracture evolution laws and water-controlling technologies in mining very thick coal seam under water-rich roof

Considering the danger of water inrush in mining very thick coal seam under water-rich roof in Majialiang Coal Mine,the universal discrete element(UDEC)software was used to simulate the overburden fracture evolution laws when mining 4#coal seam.Besides,this study researched on the influence of face advancing length,speed and mining height on the height of the water flowing fractured zones(HWFFZ),and analyzed the correlation of face advancing length and change rules of aquifer water levels and goaf water inflow.Based on those mentioned above,this research proposed the following water-controlling technologies:draining the roof water before mining,draining goaf water,reasonable advancing speed and mining thickness.These water-controlling technologies were successfully used in the feld,thus ensured safely mining the very thick coal seam under water-rich roof.

Behaviors of overlying strata in extra-thick coal seams using top-coalcaving method

Accidents such as support failure and excessive deformation of roadways due to drastic changes in strata behaviors are frequently reported when mining the extra-thick coal seams Nos.3e5 in Datong coal mine with top-coal caving method,which significantly hampers the mine's normal production.To understand the mechanism of strata failure,this paper presented a structure evolution model with respect to strata behaviors.Then the behaviors of strata overlying the extra-thick coal seams were studied with the combined method of theoretical analysis,physical simulation,and field measurement.The results show that the key strata,which are usually thick-hard strata,play an important role in overlying movement and may influence the mining-induced strata behaviors in the working face using top-coal caving method.The structural model of far-field key strata presents a 'masonry beam' type structure when'horizontal O-X' breakage type happens.The rotational motion of the block imposed radial compressive stress on the surrounding rock mass of the roadway.This can induce excessive deformation of roadway near the goaf.Besides,this paper proposed a pre-control technology for the hard roof based on fracture holes and underground roof pre-splitting.It could effectively reduce stress concentration and release the accumulated energy of the strata,when mining underground coal resources with top-coal caving method.

Stability control of gob-side entry retained under the gob with close distance coal seams

In multi-seam mining,the interlayer rock strata between the upper coal seam(UCS)and the lower coal seam(LCS)appear damage and strength weakening after mining the UCS.Ground stability control of the gob-side entry retaining(GER)under the gob with close distance coal seams(CDCS)is faced with difficulties due to little attention to GER under this condition.This paper focuses on surrounding rock stability control and technical parameters design for GER under the gob with CDCS.The floor rock strata damage characteristics after mining the UCS is first evaluated and the damage factor of the interlayer rock strata below the UCS is also determined.Then,a structural mechanics model of GER surrounding rock is set up to obtain the main design parameters of the side-roadway backfill body(SBB)including the maximum and minimum SBB width calculation formula.The optimal SBB width and the water-to-cement ratio of high water quick-setting material(HWQM)to construct the SBB are determined as 1.2 m and 1.5:1.0,respectively.Finally,engineering trial tests of GER are successfully carried out at#5210 track transportation roadway of Xingwu Colliery.Research results can guide GER design under similar mining and geological conditions.

Measurement of overburden failure zones in close-multiple coal seams mining

In the Kaiping Coal field,mining of five coal seams,located within 80 m in the Kailuan Group,#5,#7,#8,#9 and#12 coal seam,is difficult due to small interburden thickness,concentrated stress distributions,high coal seam metamorphism,and complex geological conditions.By using the ZTR12 geological penetration radar(GPR)survey combined with borehole observations,the overburden caving due to mining of the five coals seams was measured.The development characteristics of full-cover rock fractures after mining were obtained from the GPR scan,which provides a measurement basis for the control of rock strata in close multiple coal seam mining.For the first time,it was found that the overburden caving pattern shows a periodic triangular caved characteristic.Furthermore,it is proposed that an upright triangular collapsed pile masonry and an inverted triangular with larger fragments piled up alternately appear in the lower gob.The research results show that the roof structure formed in the gob area can support the key overlying strata,which is beneficial to ensure the integrity and stability of the upper coal seams in multiple-seam mining of close coal seams.

Three-dimensional numerical simulation of methane drainage by high-level drill holes in a lower protective coal seam with a “U” type face

Different drill-hole positions may produce different drainage results in low protective coal seams.To investigate this possibility,a 3D stope model is established,which covers three kinds of drill holes.The FLUENT computational fluid mechanics software is used to solve the mass,momentum and species conservation equations of the model.The spatial distributions of oxygen and methane was obtained by calculations and the drainage results of different drill-hole positions were compared.The results show that,from top to bottom,methane dilution by oxygen weakens gradually from the intake to the return side,and methane tends to float;methane and oxygen distribute horizontally.The high-level crossing holes contribute to better methane drainage and a greater level of control.Around these holes,the methane density decreases dramatically and a "half circle"distribution is formed.The methane density decreases on the whole,but a proportion of the methane moves back to deep into the goaf.The research findings provide theoretical grounds for methane drainage.