Pore-pressure and stress-coupled creep behavior in deep coal:Insights from real-time NMR analysis

Understanding the variations in microscopic pore-fracture structures(MPFS) during coal creep under pore pressure and stress coupling is crucial for coal mining and effective gas treatment. In this manuscript, a triaxial creep test on deep coal at various pore pressures using a test system that combines in-situ mechanical loading with real-time nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) detection was conducted.Full-scale quantitative characterization, online real-time detection, and visualization of MPFS during coal creep influenced by pore pressure and stress coupling were performed using NMR and NMR imaging(NMRI) techniques. The results revealed that seepage pores and microfractures(SPM) undergo the most significant changes during coal creep, with creep failure gradually expanding from dense primary pore fractures. Pore pressure presence promotes MPFS development primarily by inhibiting SPM compression and encouraging adsorption pores(AP) to evolve into SPM. Coal enters the accelerated creep stage earlier at lower stress levels, resulting in more pronounced creep deformation. The connection between the micro and macro values was established, demonstrating that increased porosity at different pore pressures leads to a negative exponential decay of the viscosity coefficient. The Newton dashpot in the ideal viscoplastic body and the Burgers model was improved using NMR experimental results, and a creep model that considers pore pressure and stress coupling using variable-order fractional operators was developed. The model’s reasonableness was confirmed using creep experimental data. The damagestate adjustment factors ω and β were identified through a parameter sensitivity analysis to characterize the effect of pore pressure and stress coupling on the creep damage characteristics(size and degree of difficulty) of coal.

Factors Influencing Proppant Transportation and Hydraulic Fracture Conductivity in Deep Coal Methane Reservoirs

The gas production of deep coalbed methane wells in Linxing-Shenfu block decreases rapidly,the water output is high,the supporting effect is poor,the effective supporting fracture size is limited,and the migration mechanism of proppant in deep coal reservoir is not clear at present.To investigate the migration behavior of proppants in complex fractures during the volume reconstruction of deep coal and rock reservoirs,an optimization test on the conductivity of low-density proppants and simulations of proppant migration in complex fractures of deep coal reservoirs were conducted.The study systematically analyzed the impact of various fracture geometries,proppant types and fracturingfluid viscosities on proppant distribution.Furthermore,the study compared the outcomes of dynamic proppant transport experiments with simulation results.The results show that the numerical simulation is consistent with the results of the proppant dynamic sand-carrying experiment.Under the conditions of low viscosity and large pumping-rate,a high ratio of 40/70 mesh proppant can facilitate the movement of the proppant to the depths of fractures at all levels.The technical goal is to create comprehensive fracture support within intricate trapezoidal fractures in deep coal and rock reservoirs without inducing sand plugging.The sand ratio is controlled at 15%–20%,with a proppant combination ratio of 40/70:30/50:20/40=6:3:1.Proppant pumping operations can effectively address the issue of poor support in complex fractures in deep coal formations.The research results have been successfully applied to the development of deep coalbed methane in the Linxing-Shenfu block,Ordos Basin.

Theory,technology and application of grouted bolting in soft rock roadways of deep coal mines

The grouted bolt,combining rock bolting with grouting techniques,provides an effective solution for controlling the surrounding rock in deep soft rock and fractured roadways.It has been extensively applied in numerous deep mining areas characterized by soft rock roadways,where it has demonstrated remarkable control results.This article systematically explores the evolution of grouted bolting,covering its theoretical foundations,design methods,materials,construction processes,monitoring measures,and methods for assessing its effectiveness.The overview encompassed several key elements,delving into anchoring theory and grouting reinforcement theory.The new principle of high pretensioned high-pressure splitting grouted bolting collaborative active control is introduced.A fresh method for dynamic information design is also highlighted.The discussion touches on both conventional grouting rock bolts and cable bolts,as well as innovative grouted rock bolts and cables characterized by their high pretension,strength,and sealing hole pressure.An examination of the merits and demerits of standard inorganic and organic grouting materials versus the new inorganic–organic composite materials,including their specific application conditions,was conducted.Additionally,the article presents various methods and instruments to assess the support effect of grouting rock bolts,cable bolts,and grouting reinforcement.Furthermore,it provides a foundation for understanding the factors influencing decisions on grouted bolting timing,the sequence of grouting,the pressure applied,the volume of grout used,and the strategic arrangement of grouted rock bolts and cable bolts.The application of the high pretensioned high-pressure splitting grouted bolting collaborative control technology in a typical kilometer-deep soft rock mine in China—the soft coal seam and soft rock roadway in the Kouzidong coal mine,Huainan coal mining area,was introduced.Finally,the existing problems in grouted bolting control technology for deep soft rock roadways are analyzed,and the future development trend of grouted bolting control technology is anticipated.

Support technologies for deep and complex roadways in underground coal mines:a review

Based on geological and mining characteristics,coal mine roadways under complex conditions were divided into five types,for each type the deformation and damage characteristics of rocks surrounding roadways were analyzed.The recent developments of roadway support technologies were introduced abroad,based on the experiences of supports for deep and complex roadways from Germany,the United States and Australia.The history and achievements of roadway support technologies in China were detailed,including rock bolting,steel supports,grouting reinforcement and combined supports.Four typical support and reinforcement case studies were analyzed,including a high stressed roadway 1,000 m below the surface,a roadway surrounded by severely weak and broken rocks,a chamber surrounded by weak and broken rocks,and a roadway with very soft and swelling rocks.Based on studies and practices in many years,rock bolting has become the mainstream roadway support form in China coal mines,and steel supports,grouting reinforcement and combined supports have also been applied at proper occasions,which have provided reliable technical measures for the safe and high effective construction and mining of underground coal mines.

Double-directional control bolt support technology and engineering application at large span Y-type intersections in deep coal mines

Under deep and complex geological conditions,severe deformation occurs at intersection points of Y-type roadways with large cross sections during engineering projects in coal mines,especially at junction arches.Based on in-situ investigations and theoretical studies,we have summarized typical forms of destruction and identified high stress and unrestricted support at both sides of junction arch as its main causes.In this study,we also presented double-directional control bolt support technology for a large Y-type span intersection,applied to deep intersection engineering in the Jiahe Coal Mine,which has proved effective.

Gas-solid coupling laws for deep high-gas coal seams

A better understanding of gas-solid coupling laws for deep, gassy coal seams is vital for preventing the compound dynamic disasters such as rock burst and gas outburst. In this paper, a gas-solid coupling theoretical model under the influence of ground stress, gas pressure, and mining depth is established and simulated by using COMSOL Multiphysics software. Research results indicate that under the influence of factors such as high ground stress and gas pressure, the mutual coupling interaction between coal and gas is much more significant, which leads to the emergence of new characteristics of gas compound dynamic disasters. Reducing the ground stress concentration in front of the working face can not only minimize the possibility of rock burst accidents, which are mainly caused by ground stress, but also can weaken the role of ground stress as a barrier to gas, thereby decreasing the number of outburst accidents whose dominant factor is gas. The results have a great theoretical and practical significance in terms of accident prevention, enhanced mine safety, disaster prevention system design, and improved accident emergency plans.

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.

Mechanical behaviors of coal measures and ground control technologies for China's deep coal mines-A review

This paper reviews the major achievements in terms of mechanical behaviors of coal measures,mining stress distribution characteristics and ground control in China’s deep underground coal mining.The three main aspects of this review are coal measure mechanics,mining disturbance mechanics,and rock support mechanics.Previous studies related to these three topics are reviewed,including the geo-mechanical properties of coal measures,distribution and evolution characteristics of mining-induced stresses,evolution characteristics of mining-induced structures,and principles and technologies of ground control in both deep roadways and longwall faces.A discussion is made to explain the structural and mechanical properties of coal measures in China’s deep coal mining practices,the types and dis-tribution characteristics of in situ stresses in underground coal mines,and the distribution of mining-induced stress that forms under different geological and engineering conditions.The theory of pre-tensioned rock bolting has been proved to be suitable for ground control of deep underground coal roadways.The use of combined ground control technology(e.g.ground support,rock mass modification,and destressing)has been demonstrated to be an effective measure for rock control of deep roadways.The developed hydraulic shields for 1000 m deep ultra-long working face can effectively improve the stability of surrounding rocks and mining efficiency in the longwall face.The ground control challenges in deep underground coal mines in China are discussed,and further research is recommended in terms of theory and technology for ground control in deep roadways and longwall faces.

Analysis and key control technologies to prevent spontaneous coal combustion occurring at a fully mechanized caving face with large obliquity in deep mines

In order to prevent spontaneous coal combustion occurring at a fully mechanized caving face with large obliquity in deep mines in China, we have analyzed the characteristics of spontaneous coal combustion and explain theoretically the factors affecting spontaneous coal combustion, such as rock bursts, high temperatures, high ventilation resistance, slow advancing speed and large obliquity mining. Key technologies to prevent spontaneous combustion occurring in sharply inclined seams in deep mines are pro- posed; these include pouring water, stopping leakage in upper and lower comers of the working face, choking off the goaf and cov- eting the coal. CO concentrations were controlled within two years to less than 15×10^-6 at the upper comer by applying these tech- nologies at the 1410 working face of the Huafeng coal mine. Our method has significant theoretical value and is of practical impor- tance in controlling spontaneous coal combustion occurring at a fully mechanized caving face with large obliquity in deep mines.

Application of deep borehole blasting on fully mechanized hard top-coal pre-splitting and gas extraction in the special thick seam

In order to solve the problems of top-coal inadequate destruction and large amounts of gas emission in mining extra thick and hard coal seam,this study investigated the pre-splitting for deep borehole blasting and gas pre-draining technologies on top coal.The mechanism of the technologies was systematically expounded based on hard top-coal cracks development obtained by numerical simulation and theoretical analysis.The results show that explosive blasting in the hard rock results in a large number of cracks and large displacement in the rock mass due to the effect of explosion stress.Meanwhile,the thick top-coal caves,and desorbing gas flows along the cracks improve gas extraction.Finally,the pre-splitting for deep borehole blasting and gas pre-draining technologies was applied in No.3802 working face of Shui Liandong Coal Mine,which increases monthly output in the face to 67.34 kt and the drained gas concentration to 86.2%.The drained gas average concentration from each borehole reaches 40%,and the effect is remarkable.

Research on space-time coupling action laws of anchor-cable strengthening supporting for rock roadway in deep coal mine

In order to obtain space-time coupling relationship of anchor-cable to improve supporting effect for deep coal mine rock roadway, FLAC3D was used to investigate into mechanical characteristics of the roadway whose crosssection shape was vertical wall and semi-circular arch when the roadway was supported by bolts and metal mesh. The results show that the extent of stress concentrations, the range failure zone, and the deformation at the roof center and two spandrels of roadway are greater than those at other positions, except at the floor. The reasonable positions of anchor-cable supporting are the roof center and two spandrels of roadway. The anchor-cable should be installed at good time with bolts supporting after roadway driving be- cause it can improve the stress states of deep surrounding rock around the roadway and control the roadway deformation effec- tively. The engineering practice has proven that the sustained deformation of deep surrounding rocks is effectively controlled when the anchor-cable supporting is adopted at reasonable positions of the roadway at good time.

Microstructure and its influence on CH_4 adsorption behavior of deep coal

In this paper we investigate the influence of microstructure on the CH4 adsorption behavior of deep coal. The coal microstructure is characterized by N2 adsorption at 77 K, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FT-IR）. The CH4 adsorptions are measured at 298 K at pressures up to 5.0 MPa by the the volumetric method and fitted by the Langmuir model. The results show that the Langmuir model fits well with the experimental data, and there is a positive correlation with surface area, pore volume, ID/IG, and CH4 adsorption capacity. The burial depth also affects the methane adsorption capacity of the samples.

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.

Soft–strong supporting mechanism of gob-side entry retaining in deep coal seams threatened by rockburst

When gob-side entry retaining is implemented in deep coal seams threatened by rockburst, the cementbased supporting body beside roadway will bear greater roof pressure and strong impact load. Then the supporting body may easily deform and fail because of its low strength in the early stage. This paper established the roadside support mechanical model of gob-side entry retaining. Based on this model,we proposed and used the soft–strong supporting body as roadside support in the gob-side entry retaining. In the early stage of roof movement, the soft–strong supporting body has a better compressibility, which can not only relieve roof pressure and strong impact load, but also reduce the supporting resistance and prevent the supporting body from being crushed. In the later stage, with the increase of the strength of the supporting body, it can better support the overlying roof. The numerical simulation results and industrial test show that the soft–strong supporting body as roadside support can be better applied into the gob-side entry retaining in deep coal seams threatened by rockburst.

Surrounding rock control mechanism of deep coal roadways and its application

Aiming at the surrounding rock control problem of mining and preparation entries in Xingdong mine with large mining depth, and the comprehensive control countermeasures including high pre-stress cable truss system, this study put forward powerful anchor support system and anchor cable adaption technology to surrounding rock deformation. Furthermore, the control measures possess the supporting performance with ‘‘primary rigid-following flexible-new rigid, and primary resistance-following yield-new resistance'', which suits deep roadway surrounding rock control. The mechanical model of truss anchor supporting roof beams was established, and the inverted arch deflection produced by the cable pre-stress with stress increment effect and roof beam deflection were obtained. And then the system working mechanism was illustrated. Finally, the surrounding rock support parameters were determined by means of comprehensive methods, and put into practice. The results show that surrounding rock deformation realized secondary stability after three months. The roadway sides convergence value was less than 245mm, and roof subsidence was less than 124mm. In addition, there was no expansion and renovation during service period.

Evolution characteristics of precursor information of coal and gas outburst in deep rock cross‑cut coal uncovering

As mines become deeper,the potential for coal and gas outbursts in deep rock cross-cut coal uncovering is enhanced.The outburst precursors are unclear,which restricts the effectiveness and reliability of warning systems.To reveal the evolution characteristics of coal and gas outburst precursor information in deep rock cross-cut coal uncovering,briquette specimens are constructed and experiments are conducted using a self-developed true triaxial outburst test system.Using acoustic emission monitoring technology,the dynamic failure of coal is monitored,and variations in the root mean square(RMS)of the acoustic emissions allow the effective cracking time and effective cracking gas pressure to be defined.These characteristics are obviously different in deep and shallow coal.The characteristic parameters of gas outburst exhibit stepwise variations at different depths.The RMS and cumulative RMS have stepped failure characteristics with respect to changes in gas pressure.The characteristic parameters of coal failure are negatively correlated with the average in-situ stress and effective stress,but positively correlated with the lateral pressure coefficient of in-situ stress and the critical gas pressure.The transition characteristics are highly sensitive in all cases.The critical depth between deep and shallow coal and gas outbursts is 1700 m.The expansion multiple of acoustic emission intensity from the microfracture stage to the sharp-fracture stage of coal is defined as the outburst risk index,N1.For depths of 1100–1700 m,N1≥7 denotes a higher risk of outburst,whereas at depths of 1700–2500 m,N1≥3 indicates enhanced risk.

Study of a low-disturbance pressure-preserving corer and its coring performance in deep coal mining conditions

With the increasing depth of coal mining,the requirements for coring devices that maintain pressure are increasing.To adapt to the special environment in deep coal seams and improve the accuracy of testing gas content,a low-disturbance pressure-preserving corer was developed.The measurement of gas content using this corer was analyzed.The coring test platform was used to complete a coring function test.A pressurized core with a diameter of 50 mm was obtained.The pressure was 0.15 MPa,which was equal to the pressure of the liquid column of the cored layer,indicating that the corer can be successfully used in a mud environment.Next,a pressure test of the corer was conducted.The results showed that under conditions of low pressure(8 MPa)and high pressure(25 MPa),the internal pressure of the corer remained stable for more than 1 h,indicating that the corer has good ability to maintain pressure.Therefore,the corer can be applied at deep coal mine sites.The results of this research can be used to promote the safe exploitation of deep coal mines and the exploitation of methane resources in coalbeds.

Study on ascending mining roadway layout of close distance coal seams in deep mine

To solve the problems appeared in mining process of No.2 seam, the ascending stress-releasing mining method was adopted. Studying on the reasonable layout of actual mining roadway in upper coal seams is the precondition of successful ascending mining. By using ＂device of leak measuring by blocking up double ends＂, it detected the height of overburden water flowing fractured zone originated from sub-coal seams mining. Thus it proved that the actual mining roadway of No.2 upper ascending seam was located in the smooth sagging zone. On the basis of analyzing the stress-releasing effect of sub-coal seams mining to upper coal seams by using RFPA software, it analyzed the stability of up-face coal seams and the reasonable location of starting cut in up-face coal seams. It also analyzed the reasonable gateway location in upper coal seams, which ensured the crossheading in upper coal seams out of the effect of sub-coal work face mining by using theory of underground pressure. Meanwhile, the reasonable pillars dimensions in upper coal seams by building the structure mechanics model of stope were researched. It can make the roadway driven along next goaf to be located in low stress zone, and be beneficial to keeping roads stable owing to less stress of surrounding rock. Finally, it tested the rationality of the layout method of roads in upper coal seams by engineering field measurement in 3221 working face.

RESEARCH ON DEEP COAL SEAM MINING FLOOR STARTA WATER BURSTING INFLUENCED FACTORS BASED ON ANALYTIC HIERACHY PROCESS

Deep coal seam mining floor strata water bursting is a complicate nonlinear system, whose factors are coupling and influencing themselves. It built the analytic structure model for deep coal seam mining floor strata water bursting, the judgment matrix was found by the expert scoring method, the contribution weights of the influenced factors were given out by the equation analytic process. The thirteen controlling factors and five main controlling factors were put award by analyzing weights, so the result was basically conform to the field practice. The expert scoring method and analytic process can convert the objective fact to the subjective cognition, so it is a method that can turn the qualitative into the quantitative. This can be relative objectively and precisely to study the question of many factors and grey box.

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.