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.

Theoretical analysis and engineering application of controllable shock wave technology for enhancing coalbed methane in soft and low‑permeability coal seams

Coalbed methane(CBM)is a significant factor in triggering coal and gas outburst disaster,while also serving as a clean fuel.With the increasing depth of mining operations,coal seams that exhibit high levels of gas content and low permeability have become increasingly prevalent.While controllable shockwave(CSW)technology has proven effective in enhancing CBM in laboratory settings,there is a lack of reports on its field applications in soft and low-permeability coal seams.This study establishes the governing equations for stress waves induced by CSW.Laplace numerical inversion was employed to analyse the dynamic response of the coal seam during CSW antireflection.Additionally,quantitative calculations were performed for the crushed zone,fracture zone,and effective CSW influence range,which guided the selection of field test parameters.The results of the field test unveiled a substantial improvement in the gas permeability coefficient,the average rate of pure methane flowrate,and the mean gas flowrate within a 10 m radius of the antireflection borehole.These enhancements were notable,showing increases of 3 times,13.72 times,and 11.48 times,respectively.Furthermore,the field test performed on the CSW antireflection gas extraction hole cluster demonstrated a noticeable improvement in CBM extraction.After antireflection,the maximum peak gas concentration and maximum peak pure methane flow reached 71.2%and 2.59 m^(3)/min,respectively.These findings will offer valuable guidance for the application of CSW antireflection technology in soft and low-permeability 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.

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.

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.

Key technologies and equipment for a fully mechanized top-coal caving operation with a large mining height at ultra-thick coal seams

Thick and ultra-thick coal seams are main coal seams for high production rate and high efficiency in Chinese coal mines, which accounts for 44 % of the total minable coal reserve. A fully mechanized top-coal caving mining method is a main underground coal extraction method for ultra-thick coal seams. The coal extraction technologies for coal seams less than 14 m thick were extensively used in China. However, for coal seams with thickness greater than 14 m, there have been no reported cases in the world for underground mechanical extraction with safe performance, high efficiency and high coal recovery ratio. To deal with this case, China Coal Technology ＆ Engineering Group, Datong Coal Mine Group, and other 15 organizations in China launched a fundamental and big project to develop coal mining technologies and equipment for coal seams with thicknesses greater than 14 m. After the completion of the project, a coal extraction method was developed for top-coal caving with a large mining height, as well as a ground control theory for ultra-thick coal seams. In addition, the mining technology for top-coal caving with a large mining height, the ground support technology for roadway in coal seams with a large cross-section, and the prevention and control technology for gas and fire hazards were developed and applied. Furthermore, a hydraulic support with a mining height of 5.2 m, a shearer with high reliability, and auxiliary equipment were developed and manufactured. Practical implication on the technologies and equipment developed was successfully completed at the No. 8105 coal face in the Tashan coal mine, Datong, China. The major achievements of the project are summarized as follows： 1. A top-coal caving method for ultra-thick coal seams is proposed with a cutting height of 5 m and a top-coal caving height of 15 m. A structural mechanical model of overlying strata called cantilever beam-articulated rock beam is established. Based on the model, the load resistance of the hydraulic support with a large mining height for top-coal caving method is determined. With the analysis, the movement characteristics of the top coal and above strata are evaluated during top-coal caving operation at the coal face with a large mining height. Furthermore, there is successful development of comprehensive technologies for preventing and controlling spalling of the coal wall, and the top-coal caving technology with high efficiency and high recovery at the top-coal caving face with a large mining height. This means that the technologies developed have overcome the difficulties in strata control, top-coal caving with high efficiency and high coal recovery, and enabled to achieve a production rate of more than 10 Mtpa at a single top-coal caving face with a large mining height in ultra-thick coal seams; 2. A hydraulic support with 5.2 m supporting height and anti-rockburst capacity, a shearer with high reliability, a scraper conveyor with a large power at the back of face, and a large load and long distance headgate belt conveyor have been successfully developed for a top-coal caving face with large mining height. The study has developed the key technologies for improving the reliability of equipment at the coal face and has overcome the challenges in equipping the top-coal caving face with a large mining height in ultra-thick coal seams; 3. The deformation characteristics of a large cross-section roadway in ultra-thick coal seams are discovered. Based on the findings above, a series of bolt materials with a high yielding strength of 500-830 MPa and a high extension ratio, and cable bolt material with a 1 × 19 structure, large tonnage and high extension ratio are developed. In addition, in order to achieve a safe roadway and a fast face advance, installation equipment for high pre-tension bolt is developed to solve the problems with the support of roadway in coal seams for top-coal caving operation with a large mining height; 4. The characteristics of gas distribution and uneven emission at top-coal caving face with large mining height in ultra-thick coal seams are evaluated. With the application of the technologies of gas drainage in the roof, the difficulties in gas control for high intensive top-coal caving mining operations, known as ＂low gas content, high gas emission＂, are solved. In addition, large flow-rate underground mobile equipment for making nitrogen are developed to solve the problems with fire prevention and safe mining at a top-coal caving face with large mining height and production rate of more than 10 Mtpa. A case study to apply the developed technologies has been conducted at the No. 8105 face, the Tashan coal mine in Datong, China. The case study demonstrates that the three units of equipment, i.e., the support, shearer and scraper conveyor, are rationally equipped. Average equipment usage at the coal face is 92.1%. The coal recovery ratio at the coal face is up to 88.9 %. In 2011, the coal production at the No. 8105 face reached 10.849 Mtpa, exceeding the target of 10 Mtpa for a topcoal caving operation with large mining height performed by Chinese-made mining equipment. The technologies and equipment developed provide a way for extracting ultra-thick coal seams. Currently, the technologies and equipment are used in 13 mining areas in China including Datong, Pingshuo, Shendong and Xinjiang. With the exploitation of coal resources in Western China, there is great potential for the application of the technologies and equipment developed.

New development of longwall mining equipment based on automation and intelligent technology for thin seam coal

The paper introduced complete sets of automatic equipment and technology used in thin seam coal face, and proposed the comprehensive mechanization and automation of safe and high efficiency mining models based on the thin seam drum shearer. The key technology of short length and high power thin seam drum shearer, and new type roof support with big extension ratio and plate canopy were introduced. The new research achievement on automatic control system of complete sets of equipment for the thin seam coal, which composed of electronic-hydraulic system, compact thin seam roof supports, high effective shearer with intelligent control system, and characterized by automatical follow-up and remote control technology, was described in this paper..

Mechanism and control technology of strong ground pressure behaviour induced by high-position hard roofs in extra-thick coal seam mining

This work aimed at revealing the mechanism of strong ground pressure behaviour(SGPB)induced by high-position hard roof(HHR).Based on the supporting structures model of HHR,a modified voussoir beam mechanical model for HHR was established by considering the gangue support coefficient,through which the modified expressions of limit breaking span and breaking energy of HHR were deduced.Combined with the relationship between the dynamic-static loading stress of supporting body(hydraulic support and coal wall)and its comprehensive supporting strength,the criteria of ground pressure behaviour(GPB)induced by HHR were discussed.The types of Ⅰ_(1),Ⅰ_(2),Ⅱ_(1),andⅡ_(2) of GPB were interpreted.Results showed that types Ⅰ_(1) and Ⅰ_(2) were the main forms of SGPB in extra-thick coal seam mining.The main manifestation of SGPB was static stress,which was mainly derived from the instability of HHR rather than fracture.Accordingly,an innovative control technology was proposed,which can weaken static load by vertical-well separated fracturing HHR.The research results have been successfully applied to the 8101 working face in Tashan coal mine,Shanxi Province,China.The results of a digital borehole camera observation and stress monitoring proved the rationality of the GPB criteria.The control technology was successful,paving the way for new possibilities to HHR control for safety mining.

Phenomenon of methane driven caused by hydraulic fracturing in methane-bearing coal seams

The methane concentration of the return current will always be enhanced to a certain degree when hydraulic fracturing with bedding drilling is implemented to a gassy coal seam in an underground coal mine. The methane in coal seam is driven out by hydraulic fracturing. Thus, the phenomenon is named as methane driven effect of hydraulic fracturing. After deep-hole hydraulic fracturing at the tunneling face of the gassy coal seam, the coal methane content exhibits a ‘‘low-high-low" distribution along excavation direction in the following advancing process, verifying the existence of methane driven caused by hydraulic fracturing in methane-bearing coal seam. Hydraulic fracturing causes the change of pore-water and methane pressure in surrounding coal. The uneven distribution of the pore pressure forms a pore pressure gradient. The free methane migrates from the position of high pore(methane) pressure to the position of low pore(methane) pressure. The methane pressure gradient is the fundamental driving force for methane-driven coal seam hydraulic fracturing. The uneven hydraulic crack propagation and the effect of time(as some processes need time to complete and are not completed instantaneously) will result in uneven methane driven. Therefore, an even hydraulic fracturing technique should be used to avoid the negative effects of methane driven; on the other hand, by taking fully advantage of methane driven, two technologies are presented.

Non-harmonious deformation controlling of gob-side entry in thin coal seam under dynamic pressure

The behavior of gob-side entry under dynamic pressure is totally different from the one driven after the movement of overlying strata above the adjacent coalface goal. The gob-side entry will experience severe roof lateral structural adjustments caused by adjacent coalface mining. Thus the deformation and failure characteristics of narrow coal pillar along the gob should be carefully considered. On the basis of the data of the gob-side entry obtained in a thin coal seam under dynamic pressure, the measures to reinforce the narrow coal pillar are put forward. In addition, the non-harmonious controlling of the rock structures and non-equilibrium gob-side entry deformation is proposed to avoid potential failure. Field practices show that the supporting problems of the gob-side entry under dynamic pressure can be well addressed, which could be used in other similar minin~ cases.

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.

Fracture propagation and evolution law of indirect fracturing in the roof of broken soft coal seams

Indirect fracturing in the roof of broken soft coal seams has been demonstrated to be a feasible technology.In this work,the No.5 coal seam in the Hancheng block was taken as the research object.Based on the findings of true triaxial hydraulic fracturing experiments and field pilot under this technology and the cohesive element method,a 3D numerical model of indirect fracturing in the roof of broken soft coal seams was established,the fracture morphology propagation and evolution law under different conditions was investigated,and analysis of main controlling factors of fracture parameters was conducted with the combination weight method,which was based on grey incidence,analytic hierarchy process and entropy weight method.The results show that“士”-shaped fractures,T-shaped fractures,cross fractures,H-shaped fractures,and“干”-shaped fractures dominated by horizontal fractures were formed.Different parameter combinations can form different fracture morphologies.When the coal seam permeability is lower and the minimum horizontal principal stress difference between layers and fracturing fluid injection rate are both larger,it tends to form“士”-shaped fractures.When the coal seam permeability and minimum horizontal principal stress between layers and perforation position are moderate,cross fractures are easily generated.Different fracture parameters have different main controlling factors.Engineering factors of perforation location,fracturing fluid injection rate and viscosity are the dominant factors of hydraulic fracture shape parameters.This study can provide a reference for the design of indirect fracturing in the roof of broken soft 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.

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.

Study on the non-linear forecast method for water inrush from coal seam floor based on wavelet neural network

Directing at the non-linear dynamic characteristics of water inrush from coal seam floor and by the analysis of the shortages of current forecast methods for water inrush from coal seam floor, a new forecast method was raised based on wavelet neural network （WNN） that was a model combining wavelet function with artificial neural network. Firstly basic principle of WNN was described, then a forecast model for water inrush from coal seam floor based on WNN was established and analyzed, finally an example of forecasting the quantity of water inrush from coal floor was illustrated to verify the feasibility and superiority of this method. Conclusions show that the forecast result based on WNN is more precise and that using WNN model to forecast the quantity of water inrush from coal seam floor is feasible and practical.

Evaluation of gas production from multiple coal seams： A simulation study and economics

Gas production from multiple coal seams has become common practice in many coal basins around the world. Although gas production rates are typically enhanced, the economic viability of such practice is not well studied. In order to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of multiple coal seams production, reservoir simulation integrated with economics modelling was performed to study the effect of important reservoir properties of the secondary coal seam on production and economic performance using both vertical and horizontal wells. The results demonstrated that multiple seam gas production of using both vertical and horizontal wells have competitive advantage over single layer production under most scenarios. Gas content and permeability of the secondary coal seam are the most important reservoir properties that have impact on the economic feasibility of multiple seam gas production. The comparison of vertical well and horizontal well performance showed that horizontal well is more economically attractive for both single well and gas field. Moreover, wellhead price is the most sensitive to the economic performance, followed by operating costs and government subsidy. Although the results of reservoir simulation combined with economic analysis are subject to assumptions, multiple seam gas production is more likely to maintain profitability compared with single layer production.

Discussion of the indexes of nonoutburst coal seam upgrade and its corresponding critical values

In view of the measurement difficulties of indexes recommended by the 50Items Experience of Coal Mine Gas Prevention in the process of the nonoutburst coalseam upgrade, this paper took the No.8 coal seam of Huainan Mining Group as research object. Discussed the suitability of indexes and corresponding critical values, putforward method in determining the indexes and its critical values by analysis and investigation of the gas geological condition and the-spot tracking near position where anoutburst occurred combined with laboratory experiment, and established the indexesand its critical values of nonoutburst coal seam upgrade in No.8 coal seam of HuainanMining Group. The results show that it is suitable to take gas content and tectonic softcoal thickness easily to gain in routine production as primary upgrade indexes that itscritical values are 7.5 m^3/t and 0.8 m, respectively. In addition, takefvalue and Ap valueas auxiliary indexes.

Gas drainage technology of high gas and thick coal seam

Gas drainage in Jincheng Mining Group Co.,Ltd.was introduced briefly and theimportance of gas drainage in gas control was analyzed.Combined with coal-bed gas occurrenceand gas emission,the double system of gas drainage was optimized and a progressivegas drainage model was experimented on.For guaranteed drainage,excavationand mining and realization of safety production and reasonable exploitation of gas in coalseams,many drainage methods were adopted to solve the gas problem of the workingface.

The adjusting mining technology of combining fully mechanized with individual prop,rotating,hilt,irregular form,and double unit face on thin coal seam of Tianchen Mine

Analyzed the situations and characteristics of thin coal seam mining and its mining technologies,and introduced the mining innovation technology used by Tianchen Coal Mine of Zhaozhuang Coal Company of China.This innovation technology combined the fully mechanized mining with individual props,and the working face of mining is over length,irregular form and double units.The rotational adjusting mining technology on thin coal seam is also practiced in this new mining technology.The detail technologies,such as outlays of working face and ways,mining methods,equipments of cutting,transporting and sporting,have been introduced.So that,using the synthetic and creative mining tech- nologies,Tianchen Coal Mine solves the mining problems of thin coal seam successfully.

Analysis and Design Innovation on Underground Gasifier for Medium-Deep Coal Seam

Over the past 80 years,dozens of underground coal gasification(UCG)mine field tests have been carried out around the world.However,in the early days,only a small number of shallow UCG projects in the former Soviet Union achieved commercialised production.In this century,a few pilot projects in Australia also achieved short-term small-scale commercialised production using modern UCG technology.However,the commercialisation of UCG,especially medium-deep UCG projects with good development prospects but difficult underground engineering conditions,has not progressed smoothly around the world.Considering investment economy,a single gasifier must realise a high daily output and accumulated output,as well as hold a long gasification tunnel to control a large number of coal resources.However,a long gasification tunnel can easily be affected by blockages and failure,for which the remedial solutions are difficult and expensive,which greatly restricts the investment economy.The design of the underground gasifier determines the success or failure of UCG projects,and it also requires the related petroleum engineering technology.Combining the advantages of the linear horizontal well(L-CRIP)and parallel horizontal well(P-CRIP),this paper proposes a new design scheme for an“inclined ladder”underground gasifier.That is to say,the combination of the main shaft of paired P-CRIP and multiple branch horizontal well gasification tunnels is adopted to realise the control of a large number of coal resources in a single gasifier.The completion of the main shaft by well cementation is beneficial for maintaining the integrity of the main shaft and the stability of the main structure.The branch horizontal well is used as the gasification tunnel,but the length and number of retracting injection points are limited,effectively reducing the probability of blockage or failure.The branch horizontal well spacing can be adjusted flexibly to avoid minor faults and large cracks,which is conducive to increasing the resource utilisation rate.In addition,for multi-layer thin coal seams or ultra-thick coal seams,a multi-layer gasifier sharing vertical well sections can be deployed,thereby saving investment on the vertical well sections.Through preliminary analysis,this gasifier design scheme can be realised in engineering,making it suitable for largescale deployment where it can increase the resource utilisation rate and ensure stable and controllable operations.The new gasifier has outstanding advantages in investment economy,and good prospects for application in the commercial UCG projects of medium-deep coal seams.