Study on Critical,Modern Technology for Mining in Gassy Deep Mines

To achieve safe and highly efficient mining in the gassy, deep mines of the Huainan collieries simultaneous coal and gas extraction, and the corresponding ventilation methods were developed. This includes a set of mining procedures and principles which help insure safe and efficient production. Furthermore, green mining, meaning the comprehensive use of emitted gas, proper treatment of the environment and appropriate mine temperature control, is now standard. The concepts of modem mining and the principles of pressure relief are described. Coal-gas simultaneous ex- traction and multi-pressure relief techniques were developed which require a combination of surface and underground gas extraction. The application of Y-ventilation systems, of roadways retained along goafs, of stress control techniques for highly fragile mine roofs and of powerful, automatic and reliable mining equipment contributes to safe operation of modem deep mines. Operating parameters for these techniques are described and the results of their use discussed.

Longwall mining,shale gas production,and underground miner safety and health

This paper presents the results of a unique study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)from 2016 to 2019 to evaluate the effects of longwall-induced subsurface deformations on shale gas well casing integrity and underground miner safety and health.At both deep-cover and shallow-cover instrumentation sites,surface subsidence measurements,subsurface inplace inclinometer measurements,and underground pillar pressure measurements were conducted as longwall panels were mined.Comparisons of the deep-cover and shallow-cover test site results with those from a similar study under medium cover reveal an interesting longwall-induced response scenario.Under shallow and medium covers,measured horizontal displacements within the abutment pillar are one order of magnitude higher than those measured under deep cover.On the other hand,measured vertical compressions under deep cover are one order of magnitude higher than those under shallow and medium covers.However,FLAC3 Dsimulations of the casings indicate that,in all three cases,the P-110 production casings remain intact under longwall-induced deformations and compressions,which has serious implications for future mine design in areas where shale gas wells have been drilled ahead of mining.

Disaster prediction of coal mine gas based on data mining

The technique of data mining was provided to predict gas disaster in view of the characteristics of coal mine gas disaster and feature knowledge based on gas disaster. The rough set theory was used to establish data mining model of gas disaster prediction, and rough set attributes relations was discussed in prediction model of gas disaster to supplement the shortages of rough intensive reduction method by using information en- tropy criteria.The effectiveness and practicality of data mining technology in the prediction of gas disaster is confirmed through practical application.

Accumulation of coal-bed gas in the Wangying-Liujia area of the Fuxin basin

The gas enrichment conditions in the Fuxin basin are compared to those of the Powder River basin.The coal bed depth,the gas content,the individual coal bed layer thickness,and the overall structure thickness of the Powder River basin in the U.S.were examined.The main factors affecting gas enrichment were examined.These factors include the coal-forming environment,the gas sources,the geological structure,the presence of magmatic activity,and the local hydrology.The coal-bed gas enrichment area in the Wangying-Liujia block of the Fuxin basin is then discussed by analogy.A hydrodynamic-force/dike-plugging model based on a magma fractured bed is proposed to explain the gas enrichment in this part of the Fuxin basin.High gas production is predicted in areas having similar conditions.This work will aid future coal-bed gas exploration and development.

Characteristics and applications of gas desorption with excavation disturbances in coal mining

According to the deficiency of experiment system for gas adsorption and desorption in coal mass, a large scale experiment system is developed independently by researchers. This experiment system is composed of primary and auxiliary boxes, power transmission system, mining system, loading system, gas charging system, data monitoring and intelligent acquisition system. The maximum experiment coal consumption is 1200 kg, the mining system is developed to conduct experiment for gas desorption under excavating disturbance, and the plane-charging cribriform ventilation device is developed to realize uniform ventilation for experiment coal sample, which is accord with the actual gas source situation of coal bed. The desorption characteristics of gas in coal are experimentally studied under the conditions of nature and mining using the experiment system. The results show that, compare with nature condition, the permeability of coal and the velocity of gas desorption could significantly increase under the influence of coal pressure relief and destruction caused by mining, and the degree of gas desorption could somewhat increase too. Finally, pressure relief gas extraction of current seam and adjacent seams after mining in a certain coal mine of Yangquan mining area are introduced, and the gas desorption experiment results is verified by analyzing the effect of gas extraction.

Gas seepage equation of deep mined coal seams and its application

In order to obtain a gas seepage law of deep mined coal seams, according to the properties of coalbed methane seepage in in-situ stress and geothermal temperature fields, the gas seepage equation of deep mined coal seams with the Klinkenberg effect was obtained by confirming the coatbed methane permeability in in-situ stress and geothermal temperature fields. Aimed at the condition in which the coal seams have or do not have an outcrop and outlet on the ground, the application of the gas seepage equation of deep mined coal seams in in-situ stress and geothermal temperature fields on the gas pressure calculation of deep mined coal seams was investigated. The comparison between calculated and measured results indicates that the calculation method of gas pressure, based on the gas seepage equation of deep mined coal seams in in-situ stress and geothermal temperature fields can accu- rately be identical with the measured values and theoretically perfect the calculation method of gas pressure of deep mined coal seams.

Mitigation of greenhouse gases released from mining activities:A review

Climate changes that occur as a result of global warming caused by increasing amounts of greenhouse gases(GHGs)released into the atmosphere are an alarming issue.Controlling greenhouse gas emissions is critically important for the current and future status of mining activities.The mining industry is one of the significant contributors of greenhouse gases.In essence,anthropogenic greenhouse gases are emitted directly during the actual mining and indirectly released by the energy-intensive activities associated with mining equipment,ore transport,and the processing industry.Therefore,we reviewed both direct and indirect GHG emissions to analyze how mining contributes to climate change.In addition,we showed how climate change impacts mineral production.This assessment was performed using a GHG inventory model for the gases released from mines undergoing different product life cycles.We also elucidate the key issues and various research outcomes to demonstrate how the mining industry and policymakers can mitigate GHG emission from the mining sector.The review concludes with an overview of GHG release reduction and mitigation strategies.

Transport model for shale gas well leakage through the surrounding fractured zones of a longwall mine

The environmental risks associated with casing deformation in unconventional(shale)gas wells positioned in abutment pillars of longwall mines is a concern to many in the mining and gas well industry.With the recent interest in shale exploration and the proximity to longwall mining in Southwestern Pennsylvania,the risk to mine workers could be catastrophic as fractures in surrounding strata create pathways for transport of leaked gases.Hence,this research by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)presents an analytical model of the gas transport through fractures in a low permeable stratum.The derived equations are used to conduct parametric studies of specific transport conditions to understand the influence of stratum geology,fracture lengths,and the leaked gas properties on subsurface transport.The results indicated that the prediction that the subsurface gas flux decreases with an increase in fracture length is specifically for a non-gassy stratum.The sub-transport trend could be significantly impacted by the stratum gas generation rate within specific fracture lengths,which emphasized the importance of the stratum geology.These findings provide new insights for improved understanding of subsurface gas transport to ensure mine safety.

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.

△P index with different gas compositions for instantaneous outburst prediction in coal mines

In this study we measured the △P(initial speed of gas emission) index with different gas concentrations of carbon dioxide(pure CO2,90% CO2+10% CH4,67% CO2+33% CH4,50% CO2+50% CH4,30% CO2+10% CH4 and pure CH4) of coal samples from the No.2 coal seam in the Yaojie Coal Mine,Gansu province,China.The effect of carbon dioxide concentration,gas composition,coal strength and particle size of coal samples on the △P index was investigated.The experimental results show that with gas of various compositions,the △P value of three samples were clearly different.The △P index of coal samples A,B and C(0.2～0.25 mm) were 4,6 and 7 with pure CH4 and 22,30 and 21 when pure CH4 was used.Carbon dioxide concentration affects the △P index markedly.The △P index increases with an increase in carbon dioxide concentration,especially for coal B.Hence,the △P index and K(another outburst index) values tested only with pure CH4 for prediction of the danger of outburst is not accurate.It is important to determine the initial speed of gas emission given the gas composition of the coal seam to be tested for exact outburst prediction.

Prediction and control of rock burst of coal seam contacting gas in deep mining

By analyzing the characteristics and the production mechanism of rock burstthat goes with abnormal gas emission in deep coal seams,the essential method of eliminatingabnormal gas emission by eliminating the occurrence of rock burst or depressingthe magnitude of rock burst was considered.The No.237 working face was selected asthe typical working face contacting gas in deep mining;aimed at this working face,a systemof rock burst prediction and control for coal seam contacting gas in deep mining wasestablished.This system includes three parts:① regional prediction of rock burst hazardbefore mining,② local prediction of rock burst hazard during mining,and ③ rock burstcontrol.

Influence of longwall mining on the stability of gas wells in chain pillars

Longwall mining has a significant influence on gas wells located within longwall chain pillars.Subsurface subsidence and abutment pressure induced by longwall mining can cause excessive stresses and deformations in gas well casings.If the gas well casings are compromised or ruptured,natural gas could migrate into the mine workings,potentially causing a fire or explosion.By the current safety regulations,the gas wells in the chain pillars have to be either plugged or protected by adequate coal pillars.The current regulations for gas well pillar design are based on the 1957 Pennsylvania gas well pillar study.The study provided guidelines for gas well pillars by considering their support area and overburden depth as well as the location of the gas wells within the pillars.As the guidelines were developed for room-andpillar mining under shallow cover,they are no longer applicable to modern longwall coal mining,particularly,under deep cover.Gas well casing of failures have occurred even though the chain pillars for the gas wells met the requirements by the 1957 study.This study,conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH),presents seven cases of conventional gas wells penetrating through longwall chain pillars in the Pittsburgh Coal Seam.The study results indicate that overburden depth and pillar size are not the only determining factors for gas well stability.The other important factors include subsurface ground movement,overburden geology,weak floor,as well as the type of the construction of gas wells.Numerical modeling was used to model abutment pressure,subsurface deformations,and the response of gas well casings.The study demonstrated that numerical models are able to predict with reasonable accuracy the subsurface deformations in the overburden above,within,and below the chain pillars,and the potential location and modes of gas well failures,thereby providing a more quantifiable approach to assess the stability of the gas wells in longwall chain pillars.

Assessing risks from mining-induced ground movements near gas wells

The proliferation of unconventional gas well development in the Northern Appalachian coalfields has raised a number of mine safety concerns.Unconventional wells,which extract gas from deep shale formations,are characterized by gas volumes and pressures that are significantly higher than those observed at many conventional wells.The gas is composed largely of methane as well as other hydrocarbons.Hundreds of planned and actively producing wells penetrate protective coal pillars or barriers within active mine boundaries,including chain pillars located between longwall panels.Gas released from a well damaged by mining-induced ground movements could pose a risk to miners by flowing into the mine atmosphere.The mining-induced ground movements that may cause well damage include conventional subsidence,non-conventional subsidence(e.g.bedding plane slip),pillar failure,and floor instability.This paper describes the known risk factors for each of the four failure mechanisms.It includes a framework that can guide the risk assessment process when mining takes place near gas or oil wells.

Technology of gas drainage and utilization in Huaibei mining area

With the characteristics of coal seam geology and gas occurrence,a'ground-underground' integrated gas drainage method was formed,which can relieve gaspressure and increase permeability by mining the protection seams in conditional regions.After coal seam gas drainage,high gas outburst seam was converted to low gas safetyseam.In the coal face mining process,safety and high efficient coal mining were realizedby the measure of gas-suction over mining.In addition to the drainage gas for civil gasand gas power generation,the Huaibei Mining Group has actively carried out research onthe utilization technology of methane drainage by ventilation.On the one hand,it can saveprecious energy;on the other hand,it can protect the environment for people's survival.In2007,the amount of coal mine gas drainage was 120 hm3;the rate of coal mine gasdrainage was 44%.Compared with the year 2002,the amount of coal mine gas drainageincreased by two times.Meanwhile,the utilization rate of gas increased rapidly.

Mining seismicity, gas outburst and the sig-nificance of their relationship in the study of physics of earthquake source

This paper presents an overview of mining seismicity, gas outburst and their origin. The internal relation of mining seismicity and gas outburst in the dynamic process is studied on the basis of the fact that these disasters sometimes occur simultaneously. The examples show a close relationship between mining seismicity and gas outburst in high gassy coal mines. It is proposed that strong mine shocks plus the response of low value and delay time are early warning signals. The mechanism of the relationship between mining seismicity and gas outburst is analyzed by using the location of mining shocks, focus mechanism, cause of mining shocks and conditions of gas outburst. The trigger action of gas fluid on mining shocks, especially the effect of the anomalous property of supercritical fluid on the preparation and occurrence of mining shocks is discussed. According to the similarity between mining-induced earthquakes and tectonic earthquakes in terms of mechanism, the significance of the above results in the study of physics of earthquake source is also discussed.

Effect of protective coal seam mining and gas extraction on gas transport in a coal seam

A gas–solid coupling model involving coal seam deformation,gas diffusion and seepage,gas adsorption and desorption was built to study the gas transport rule under the effect of protective coal seam mining.The research results indicate:(1) The depressurization effect changes the stress state of an overlying coal seam and causes its permeability to increase,thus gas in the protected coal seam will be desorbed and transported under the effect of a gas pressure gradient,which will cause a decrease in gas pressure.(2) Gas pressure can be further decreased by setting out gas extraction boreholes in the overlying coal seam,which can effectively reduce the coal and gas outburst risk.The research is of important engineering significance for studying the gas transport rule in protected coal seam and providing important reference for controlling coal and gas outbursts in deep mining in China.

Technique of coal mining and gas extraction without coal pillar in multi-seam with low permeability

Aimed at the low mining efficiency in deep multi-seams because of high crustalstress,high gas content,low permeability,the compound 'three soft' roof and the trouble-somesafety situation encountered in deep level coal exploitation,proposed a new idea ofgob-side retaining without a coal-pillar and Y-style ventilation in the first-mined key pressure-relieved coal seam and a new method of coal mining and gas extraction.The followingwere discovered:the dynamic evolution law of the crannies in the roof is influenced bymining,the formative rule of 'the vertical cranny-abundant area' along the gob-side,thedistribution of air pressure field in the gob,and the flowing rule of pressure-relieved gas ina Y-style ventilation system.The study also established a theoretic basis for a new miningmethod of coal mining and gas extraction which is used to extract the pressure-relievedgas by roadway retaining boreholes instead of roadway boreholes.Studied and resolvedmany difficult key problems,such as,fast roadway retaining at the gob-side without a coalpillar,Y-style ventilation and extraction of pressure-relieved gas by roadway retainingboreholes,and so on.The study innovated and integrated a whole set of technical systemsfor coal and pressure relief gas extraction.The method of the pressure-relieved gasextraction by roadway retaining had been successfully applied in 6 typical working faces inthe Huainan and Huaibei mining areas.The research can provide a scientific and reliabletechnical support and a demonstration for coal mining and gas extraction in gaseous deepmulti-seams with low permeability.

Research into comprehensive gas extraction technology of single coal seams with low permeability in the Jiaozuo coal mining area

For a low permeability single coal seam prone to gas outbursts, pre-drainage of gas is difficult and inefficient, seriously restricting the safety and efficiency of production. Radical measures of increasing gas extraction efficiency are pressure relief and infrared antireflection. We have analyzed the effect of mining conditions and the regularity of mine pressure distribution in front of the working face of a major coal mine of the Jiaozuo Industrial （Group） Co. as our test area, studied the width of the depressurization zone in slice mining and analyzed gas efficiency and fast drainage in the advanced stress relaxation zone. On that basis, we further investigated and practiced the exploitation technology of shallow drilling, fan dril- ling and grid shape drilling at the working face. Practice and our results show that the stress relaxation zone is the ideal region for quick and efficient extraction of gas. By means of an integrated extraction technology, the amount of gas emitted into the zone was greatly reduced, while the risk of dangerous outbursts of coal and gas was lowered markedly. This exploration provides a new way to control for gas in working faces of coal mines with low permeability and risk of gas outbursts of single coal seams in the Jiaozuo mining area.

A New Discovery on the Deformation Behavior of Shale Gas Reservoirs Affecting Pore Morphology in the Juhugeng Coal Mining Area of Qinghai Province, Northwest China

Objective The Juhugeng mining area in Qinghai Province of northwest China has attracted wide attention among geologists for it hosts typical coal measure gases.The shale gas reservoirs were reformed by intensive structural movements during geological periods,