Similarity criteria and coal-like material in coal and gas outburst physical simulation

Coal and gas outburst is one of the main gas hazards in coal mines. However, due to the risks of the coal and gas outburst, the field test is difficult to complete. Therefore, an effective approach to studying the mechanism and development of outburst is to conduct the similar physical simulation. However, the similarity criteria and similar materials in outburst are the key factors which restrict the development of physical simulation. To solve those problems, this paper has established similarity criteria base on mechanics model, solid-fluid coupling model and energy model, and presented high similar materials. Combining with three groups of similar number, and considering similar mechanical parameters and deformation and failure regularity, the similarity criteria of outburst is determined on the basis of the energy model. According to those criteria, we put forward a similar material consists of pulverized coal, cement, sand, activated carbon, and water. The similar material has high compressive strength and the accordant characteristics with the raw coal, include density, porosity, adsorption, desorption. The new research is promising for preventing and controlling gas hazards in the future.

A Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulation of Coal and Gas Outbursts Based on the Interaction between the Gas Pressure and Deformation of a Coal-Rock Mass

Based on the theories of the gas seepage in coal seams and the deformation of the coal-rock medium,the gas seepage field in coal-rock mass is coupled with the deformation field of the coal-rock mass to establish a fluidstructure interaction model for the interaction between coal gas and coal-rock masses.The outburst process in coal-rock masses under the joint action of gas pressure and crustal stress is simulated using the material point method.The simulation results show the changes in gas pressure,velocity distribution,maximum principal stress distribution,and damage distribution during the process of the coal and gas outburst,as well as themovement and accumulation of coal-rock masses after the occurrence of the outburst.It was found that the gas pressure gradient was greatest at theworking face after the occurrence of the outburst,the gas pressures and pressure gradients at each location within the coal seamgradually decreased with time,and the damage distribution was essentially the same as the minimum principal stress distribution.The simulation further revealed that the outburst first occurred in themiddle of the tunnel excavation face and that the speed at which particles of coal mass were ejected was highest at the center and decreased toward the upper and lower sides.The study provides a scientific basis for enhancing our understanding of the mechanism behind coal and gas outbursts,as well as their prevention and control.

Mechanism investigation on coal and gas outburst: An overview

Coal and gas outburst is a frequent dynamic disaster during underground coal mining activities.After about 150 years of exploration,the mechanisms of outbursts remain unclear to date.Studies on outburst mechanisms worldwide focused on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of outburst-prone coal,laboratory-scale outburst experiments and numerical modeling,mine-site investigations,and doctrines of outburst mechanisms.Outburst mechanisms are divided into two categories:single-factor and multi-factor mechanisms.The multi-factor mechanism is widely accepted,but all statistical phenomena during a single outburst cannot be explained using present knowledge.Additional topics about outburst mechanisms are proposed by summarizing the phenomena that need precise explanation.The most appealing research is the microscopic process of the interaction between coal and gas.Modern physical-chemical methods can help characterize the natural properties of outburst-prone coal.Outburst experiments can compensate for the deficiency of first-hand observation at the scene.Restoring the original outburst scene by constructing a geomechanical model or numerical model and reproducing the entire outburst process based on mining environment conditions,including stratigraphic distribution,gas occurrence,and geological structure,are important.Future studies can explore outburst mechanisms at the microscale.

A continuous and high-efficiency process to separate coal bed methane with porous ZIF-8 slurry:Experimental study and mathematical modelling

Coal bed methane has been considered as an important energy resource.One major difficulty of purifying coal bed methane comes from the similar physical properties of CH_4 and N_2.The ZIF-8/water-glycol slurry was used as a medium to separate coal bed methane by fluidifying the solid adsorbent material.The sorption equilibrium experiment of binary mixture(CH_4/N_2)and slurry was conducted.The selectivity of CH_4 to N_2 is within the range of 2-6,which proved the feasibility of the slurry separation method.The modified Langmuir equation was used to describe the gas-slurry phase equilibrium behavior,and the calculated results were in good agreement with the experimental data.A continuous absorption-adsorption and desorption process on the separation of CH_4/N_2 in slurry is proposed and its mathematical model is also developed.Sensitivity analysis is conducted to determine the operation conditions and the energy performance of the proposed process was also evaluated.Feed gas contains 30 mol%of methane and the methane concentration in product gas is 95.46 mol%with the methane recovery ratio of 90.74%.The total energy consumption for per unit volume of product gas is determined as 1.846 kWh Nm^(-3).Experimental results and process simulation provide basic data for the design and operation of pilot and industrial plant.

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.

Mechanisms of carbon isotopic fractionation in the process of natural gas generation: Geochemical evidence from thermal simulation experiment

Low maturity coal samples were taken from the Ordos Basin to conduct gold tube thermal simulation experiment in a closed system,and the characteristics of the products were analyzed to find out the fractionation mechanism of carbon isotopes and the causes of abnormal carbon isotopic compositions of natural gas.At the heating rates of 2℃/h(slow)and 20℃/h(rapid),the low maturity coal samples of the Ordos Basin had the maximum yields of alkane gas of 302.74 mL/g and 230.16 mL/g,theδ13C1 ranges of-34.8‰to-23.6‰and-35.5‰to-24.0‰;δ13C2 ranges of-28.0‰to-9.0‰and-28.9‰to-8.3‰;andδ13C3 ranges of-25.8‰to-14.7‰and-26.4‰to-13.2‰,respectively.Alkane gas in the thermal simulation products of rapid temperature rise process showed obvious partial reversal of carbon isotope series at 550℃,and at other temperatures showed positive carbon isotope series.In the two heating processes,theδ13C1 turned lighter first and then heavier,and the non-monotonic variation of theδ13C1 values is because the early CH4 is from different parent materials resulted from heterogeneity of organic matter or the carbon isotope fractionation formed by activation energy difference of early enriched 12CH4 and late enriched 13CH4.The reversal of carbon isotope values of heavy hydrocarbon gas can occur not only in high to over mature shale gas(oil-type gas),but also in coal-derived gas.Through thermal simulation experiment of toluene,it is confirmed that the carbon isotope value of heavy hydrocarbon gas can be reversed and inversed at high to over mature stage.The isotope fractionation effect caused by demethylation and methyl linkage of aromatic hydrocarbons may be an important reason for carbon isotope inversion and reversal of alkane gas at the high to over mature stage.

Influence of depressurization rate on gas production capacity of high-rank coal in the south of Qinshui Basin, China

A desorption simulation experiment with the condition of simulated strata was designed. The experiment, under different depressurizing rates and the same fluid saturation, was conducted on the sample from 3# coal of Daning coal mine in Jincheng, Shanxi Province. The gas production rate and pressure change at both ends of the sample were studied systematically, and the mechanisms of some phenomena in the experiment were discussed. The experimental results show that, whether at fast or slow depressurizing rate, the methane adsorbed to high-rank coal can effectively desorb and the desorption efficiency can reach above 90%. There is an obvious inflection point on the gas yield curve during the desorption process and it appears after the pressure on the lump of coal reduces below the desorption pressure. The desorption of methane from high-rank coal is mainly driven by differential pressure, and high pressure difference is conducive to fast desorption. In the scenario of fast depressurization, the desorption inflection appears earlier and the gas production rate in the stage of rapid desorption is higher. It is experimentally concluded that the originally recognized strategy of long-term slow CBM production is doubtful and the economic benefit of CBM exploitation from high-rank coal can be effectively improved by rapid drainage and pressure reduction. The field experiment results in pilot blocks of Fanzhuang and Zhengzhuang show that by increasing the drainage depressurization rate, the peak production of gas well would increase greatly, the time of gas well to reach the economic production shortened, the average time for a gas well to reach expected production reduced by half, and the peak gas production is higher.

Pyrolysis of coal measure source rocks at highly to over mature stage and its geological implications

The influence of water on gas generation from humic type organic matter at highly to over mature stage was investigated with thermal simulation experiments at high temperature and pressure.The result of the experiments indicates that the effect of water on gas generation was controlled by the thermal maturity of organic matter.Water could enhance gas generation and increase hydrocarbon gas yields significantly at over mature stage of humic type organic matter.Hydrogen isotopic compositions of coal-derived gases generated at highly to over mature stage were mainly controlled by thermal maturity of source rocks,but also affected by formation water.Highly and over mature coal measure source rocks are widely distributed in China.The hydrocarbon gas generation capacity of coal measure source rocks and resource potential of coal-derived gases in deep formations would be significantly enhanced assuming that formation water could be involved in the thermal cracking of highly to over mature organic matter in real geological settings.

Natural gas releasing simulation experiment of coal in process of temperature decreasing and decompression and preliminary application in Ordos Basin

Natural gas releasing simulation experiments were carried out in laboratory for researching the gas storage capacity in state of high temperature and high pressure and its gas releasing potential in process of temperature decreasing and decompression. The exiting phase state was studied through measuring gas adsorption of coal and PVT phase calculating of natural gas. Gas volume, gas molecular and isotope compositions in process of temperature decreasing and decompression were measured, natural-gas yields released from the Upper Paleozoic coal strata after later Cretaceous (K3) were calculated and the formation of the reservoir was studied combining with the geological background. The results indicate that natural gas stored in coal has still bigger releasing potential after the uplift of Upper Paleozoic strata. There exists a weak gas supply-effluent equilibrium in the reservoir of Ordos Basin, which is another possible evidence that the Upper Paleozoic gas reservoir may be a deep basin gas reservoir.

Experimental research on methane control of mining upper protective layers

In order to solve coal and gas outbursts during mining coal seam,studying on related problems were carried out. According to the theories of mining upper protective layer,proper mining plan were designed and performed through field experiment. By means of examining several parameters obtained from the field experiment,the protective effects were evaluated and the protective scope and related parameters were determined. The results of field experiment show that the danger of outbursts was evidently eliminated and the method of mining protective layers is effective and the safety and economic benefits are remarkable. The research has really applied worth and will give beneficial references to mining area with analogous conditions.

弹性装置缓冲下矿井突出冲击波能量衰减规律研究

为控制煤与瓦斯突出冲击波巨大的能量对井下工作人员和通风设施带来损害,设计出1种安装于矿井巷道两壁的弹性装置以加速突出冲击波能量的衰减,人为使突出冲击波能量加速衰减至安全等级;运用数值模拟软件Fluent进行不同有效断面变化(不变、变大和变小)和不同突出压力(0.6,0.8,1.0 MPa)下冲击波能量的衰减规律研究。研究结果表明:不同有效断面变化的弹性装置均能加速突出冲击波的能量衰减,弹性装置设置越多同一时刻传递到巷道末尾的冲击波能量越少;相较于有效断面不变和变大,弹性装置有效断面变小对突出冲击波能量衰减的效果最好;突出压力与冲击波能量呈正相关,突出压力的改变对弹性装置有效断面变小时影响很小,对加速冲击波能量衰减的效果很稳定。研究结果可为防治煤与瓦斯突出灾害提供理论参考。

煤与瓦斯突出过程煤体破裂演化规律

研制了一套煤与瓦斯突出模拟实验装置，通过高速摄像对突出全过程进行实时观测，从而实现对突出过程中煤体破裂演化规律进行了分析。通过对12次试验结果的分析发现，煤与瓦斯突出是个力学发展过程，它经历了孕育、启动、发展和停止4个阶段，受瓦斯压力和孔洞壁的径向应力大小影响，煤与瓦斯突出多次间歇式发展；实验条件下，煤与瓦斯突出启动后，从发展到结束过程耗时不足0．1s；位于试验装置不同部位的煤体，突出瞬间煤体运动轨迹各不相同；通过对突出后煤体的裂纹分布规律进行分析，发现裂纹几乎平行出现，且裂纹的倾斜角度处在65°～70°，裂纹近似圆弧，圆心位置在突出口；试验还发现在0．481～0．764MPa存在一个临界瓦斯压力值，可以使突出连续发生．从而具备了发生大型突出的瓦斯压力条件。

煤样粒径对煤与瓦斯突出影响的试验研究

煤与瓦斯突出是发生在煤矿井下生产中的一种极其复杂的地质动力现象,严重威胁着煤矿安全生产。以由不同煤粉粒径压制而成的型煤为研究对象,采用偏光分析软件、应变控制式三轴仪,对型煤物理力学性质进行研究。并在此基础之上,应用煤与瓦斯突出模拟试验台进行不同粒径条件下的煤与瓦斯突出模拟试验,以探索研究煤粉粒径对煤与瓦斯突出特性的影响规律。研究结果表明,煤样粒径影响型煤的物理力学性质进而对煤与瓦斯突出产生明显的影响效果。具体表现在:煤样粒径越小,型煤表面孔隙结构的分形维数越大,其对瓦斯的吸附特性越好,同时其力学强度也越高;突出模拟试验表明,煤样粒径越小,煤与瓦斯突出发生的强度越大,吸附过程中吸附的瓦斯量也越大,但是煤与瓦斯突出过程中的破碎效果则越不明显。

基于相似模拟和地质力学模型试验的突出装置研制及应用

国内外学者对煤与瓦斯突出过程及机制进行了大量的研究,但使用的均是型煤试验,很少涉及地质构造对突出的影响,而且数据监测均未深入到煤体内部。基于相似模拟试验思想和地质力学模型试验新思路,在实验室搭建了综合考虑地应力、瓦斯压力及煤体结构的大型石门揭煤的煤与瓦斯突出试验平台。该试验平台包括试验箱体和反力架、液压加载系统、密封系统、试验监测系统;设计了线充气和面充气系统,用来模拟煤层的瓦斯赋存差异。同时,利用该试验平台进行了石门揭构造软煤的相似模拟试验,研究了石门揭构造软煤过程中煤岩应力和位移的变化规律,以及突出过程中煤层内瓦斯压力和声发射的变化规律。结果表明,在巷道开挖过程中,掘进工作面前方存在明显的应力集中,且越靠近构造软煤应力集中现象越明显;突出发生的瞬间,在突出点附近的位移产生了突变;在突出发生前,声发射信号有一次降低;掘进工作面前方煤岩体应力释放,煤体裂隙增大,为瓦斯的快速放散提供了条件。

石门揭煤突出模拟实验台的设计与应用

基于石门揭煤过程中采掘应力场与瓦斯突出关系研究的需要,针对目前石门揭煤突出模型还处在实验室研究的阶段,而大部分都未能综合考虑瓦斯压力、地应力、煤的物理力学性质等对突出的影响,研制出一套能够综合考虑地应力、瓦斯压力及煤体结构的石门揭煤突出模拟试验系统。为取得准确、客观的试验效果,进行了密封、快速开启装置及氮气平衡系统等关键技术的设计,介绍了试验系统的主要组成结构、功能。利用该实验台进行石门揭煤突出试验,试验结果反映出在突出过程中地应力和瓦斯压力的变化情况,可为研究和揭示煤与瓦斯突出机制、突出过程中地应力和瓦斯压力的变化规律提供新的技术手段。

远程下保护层开采被保护煤层变形规律研究

基于相似模拟试验方法,模拟远程下保护层开采时被保护层变形分布特征,将被保护层变形分为压缩变形区、卸压膨胀变形区、卸压膨胀变形稳定区、卸压膨胀变形区、压缩变形区5个区域,变形呈现“M”形态,两边呈现对称分布.工程实践表明,远程下保护层开采后,在采空区上方的一定范围内被保护层产生卸压膨胀变形,煤体弹性潜能得以释放,透气性增大,消除或减小了被保护层煤与瓦斯突出危险性.研究结果经过工程应用取得了显著的经济技术效益.

煤与瓦斯突出模拟实验系统研究与教学实践

搭建了真实地层受力下的煤与瓦斯突出物理模拟实验系统,为矿井瓦斯防治课程的实验教学提供设备支持,按照"煤样制备—数据采集—结果分析"流程对学生进行引导,使学生能够变被动学习为主动钻研思考,有效地加强了学生对煤与瓦斯突出灾害的直观认知。将科研成果用于实验教学,实现了学生以科研方式对理论知识的深层次理解。

构造应力场与煤及瓦斯突出的关系

地质构造对煤与瓦斯突出具有明显的控制作用,以往多是定性的分析和统计研究。通过构造应力场理论及相似模拟实验,分析了构造应力场与煤及瓦斯突出的关系。对相似实验结果进行对比分析,结合煤及瓦斯突出与褶曲构造展布关系实例,研究了褶曲构造不同部位应力分布特征及其对瓦斯突出的控制作用。结果显示:背斜翼部挤压区和转折区是煤及瓦斯突出的最危险地带;背斜轴部区一般不会出现严重的煤及瓦斯突出。

瓦斯在石门揭构造软煤诱发煤与瓦斯突出中的作用

为了更好地认识和防治煤与瓦斯突出,利用扫描电子显微镜和静态液氮吸附仪研究一种构造软煤的微孔结构特征,同时利用自主搭建的大型石门揭煤相似模拟试验系统,研究石门揭露构造软煤过程中瓦斯压力的变化规律。在试验研究的基础上,分析构造软煤的微孔特性对瓦斯赋存的影响,以及瓦斯在石门揭露构造软煤诱发煤与瓦斯突出中的作用。通过试验得出:构造软煤的结构破坏严重,微孔发育并且为特殊瓶颈的不透气孔,为瓦斯的赋存提供了极为有利的条件;瓦斯在突出的启动和发展过程中起重要作用,即在瓦斯压力突然降低、释放膨胀潜能时,瓦斯压力作为动力来源,加速了煤体向采掘空间抛出的过程。

煤与瓦斯突出过程中的瓦斯压力效应

为探讨煤与瓦斯突出过程中的瓦斯压力效应,利用自行研制的煤岩瓦斯动力灾害模拟试验系统和配比而成的中硬度的大型煤样,在煤样的含水率、配比方案、煤样成型压力等参数均恒定的条件下,恒定3种轴向载荷时,开展了5种不同瓦斯压力梯度的煤与瓦斯突出的相似模拟实验。实验表明,煤与瓦斯相对突出强度存在一个瓦斯压力阈值,超过此阈值时,随着瓦斯压力的增大则相对突出强度大大增强,且相对强度与瓦斯压力呈现正指数的关系;瓦斯压力作为突出发生的动力并对突出煤粉有一定的粉碎和搬运作用,可形成腹大口小的倒梨形突出孔洞;轴向应力对中硬度的含瓦斯煤岩体的突出具有正作用。