Research progress on permeability improvement mechanisms and technologies of coalbed deep-hole cumulative blasting

Coalbed gas extraction is an important means of exploiting and utilizing gas resources,as well as a means of preventing coal mine disasters.In view of the low gas extraction rate from coalbeds with high gas content and low permeability,a method of improving permeability through deep-hole cumulative blasting is applied to develop initial directional fractures using a jet flow.Under the action of the blasting stress wave and detonation gas wedge,the fractures extend over a large range within the coal,thereby improving coalbed permeability.This study focuses on the criteria of cumulative blasting-induced coalbed fracturing based on a literature review of the penetration effect of cumulative blasting.On this basis,we summarize the coal fracturing zone,crack extension process,and the key technologies of charging and hole sealing for cumulative blasting.In addition,the latest research progress in the optimization of field test drilling and blasting parameters for cumulative blasting is introduced.Research findings indicate that the permeability improvement mechanism of cumulative blasting could be further enhanced,and the technology and technical equipment are in urgent need of improvement.Finally,development trends in the cumulative blasting permeability improvement technique are identified.

Pulsating hydraulic fracturing technology in low permeability coal seams

Based on the difficult situation of gas drainage in a single coal bed of high gas content and low perme- ability, we investigate the technology of pulsating hydraulic pressure relief, the process of crank plunger movement and the mechanism of pulsating pressure formation using theoretical research, mathematical modeling and field testing. We analyze the effect of pulsating pressure on the formation and growth of fractures in coal by using the pulsating hydraulic theory in hydraulics. The research results show that the amplitude of fluctuating pressure tends to increase in the case where the exit is blocked, caused by pulsating pressure reflection and frictional resistance superposition, and it contributes to the growth of fractures in coal. The crack initiation pressure of pulsating hydraulic fracturing is 8 MPa, which is half than that of normal hydraulic fracturing; the pulsating hydraulic fracturing influence radius reaches 8 m. The total amount of gas extraction is increased by 3.6 times, and reaches 50 LJmin at the highest point. The extraction flow increases greatly, and is 4 times larger than that of drilling without fracturing and 1.2 times larger than that of normal hydraulic fracturing. The technology provides a technical measure for gas drainage of high gas content and low permeability in the single coal bed.

Coal Seam Permeability Improvement and CBM Production Enhancement by Enlarged Borehole: Mechanism and Application

The permeability is a key factor to determine the efficiency of coalbed methane(CBM)production.The borehole enlargement technology using hydraulic and mechanical measures to cut coal is an effective method to increase the coal seam permeability and improve the efficiency of gas drainage.Reasonable design of the layout of boreholes is the prerequisite for efficient and economical gas drainage.In this paper,based on the strain-softening model,the stress and permeability model of the coal seam around the enlarged borehole was built,and based on the dual-medium model,the gas migration model in the coal seam was established.Then the borehole enlargement gas drainage engineering of E9/10 coal seam in Pingdingshan No.8 coal mine was simulated by using COMSOL Multiphysics software.The distribution of stress and permeability in the coal seam around a borehole was analyzed,and the reasonable borehole radius of 0.25 m and reasonable borehole spacing of 6 m were determined.Finally,in Pingdingshan No.8 coal mine,field application was carried out in E9/10 coal seam-21070 working face from the high-level gas drainage roadway.The results show that the actual average coal slag discharge rate is 77.82%,which achieved borehole enlargement.The natural gas flow rate from an enlarged borehole is 2.3–7.3 times that of a normal borehole,and the influence range of enlarged boreholes is more than 6 m.The average gas drainage concentration of a group of enlarged boreholes is about 42%,and the average gas drainage amount is about 0.53 m3/min.After two months of gas extraction,the outburst risk in this area was eliminated,which provides a guarantee for safe coal mining.