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.

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.

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.

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.

Analysis of the Risk of Water Breakout in the Bottom Plate of High-Intensity Mining of Extra-Thick Coal Seams

In order to clarify the danger of water breakout in the bottom plate of extra-thick coal seam mining, 2202 working face of a mine in the west is taken as the research object, and it is proposed to use the on-site monitoring means combining borehole peeping and microseismic monitoring, combined with the theoretical analysis to analyze the danger of water breakout in the bottom plate. The results show that: 1) the theoretically calculated maximum damage depth of the bottom plate is 27.5 m, and its layer is located above the Austrian ash aquifer, which has the danger of water breakout;2) the drill hole peeping at the bottom plate of the working face shows that the depth of the bottom plate fissure development reaches 26 m, and the integrity of the water barrier layer has been damaged, so there is the risk of water breakout;3) for the microseismic monitoring of the anomalous area, the bottom plate of the return air downstream channel occurs in the field with a one-week lag, which shows that microseismic monitoring events may reflect the water breakout of the underground. This shows that the microseismic monitoring events can reflect the changes of the underground flow field, which can provide a reference basis for the early warning of water breakout. The research results can provide reference for the prediction of sudden water hazard.

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.

Geopolymer-based modification of blasting sealing materials and optimization of blasting block size in coal seams of open pit mines

This research proposes the utilization of a geopolymer-based blasting sealing material to improve the profitability of coal sales and reduce the rate of coal fragmentation during blasting in open pit mines.The study first focused on optimizing the strength of the sealant material and reducing curing time.This was achieved by regulating the slag doping and sodium silicate solution modulus.The findings demonstrated that increasing slag content and improving the material resulted in an early rise in strength while increasing the modulus of the sodium silicate solution extended the curing time.The slag doping level was fixed at 80 g,and the sodium silicate solution modulus was set at 1.5.To achieve a strength of 3.12 MPa,the water/gel ratio was set at 0.5.The initial setting time was determined to be 33 min,meeting the required field test duration.Secondly,the strength requirements for field implementation were assessed by simulating the action time and force destruction process of the sealing material during blasting using ANSYS/LS-DYNA software.The results indicated that the modified material meets these requirements.Finally,the Shengli Open Pit Coal Mine served as the site for the field test.It was observed that the hole-sealing material’s hydration reaction created a laminated and flocculated gel inside it.This enhanced the density of the modified material.Additionally,the pregelatinized starch,functioning as an organic binder,filled the gaps between the gels,enhancing the cohesion and bonding coefficient of the material.Upon analyzing the post-blasting shooting effect diagram using the Split-Desktop software,it was determined that the utilization of the modified blast hole plugging material resulted in a decrease in the rate of coal fragmentation from 33.2%to 21.1%.This reduction exhibited a minimal error of 1.63%when compared to the field measurement,thereby providing further confirmation of the exceptional plugging capabilities of the modified material.This study significantly contributes to establishing a solid theoretical basis for enhancing the blasting efficiency of open pit mines and,in turn,enhancing their economic advantages.

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.

In-situ gas contents of a multi-section coal seam in Sydney basin for coal and gas outburst management

The gas content is crucial for evaluating coal and gas outburst potential in underground coal mining. This study focuses on investigating the in-situ coal seam gas content and gas sorption capacity in a representative coal seam with multiple sections (A1, A2, and A3) in the Sydney basin, where the CO_(2) composition exceeds 90%. The fast direct desorption method and associated devices were described in detail and employed to measure the in-situ gas components (Q_(1), Q_(2), and Q_(3)) of the coal seam. The results show that in-situ total gas content (Q_(T)) ranges from 9.48 m^(3)/t for the A2 section to 14.80 m^(3)/t for the A3 section, surpassing the Level 2 outburst threshold limit value, thereby necessitating gas drainage measures. Among the gas components, Q_(2) demonstrates the highest contribution to Q_(T), ranging between 55% and 70%. Furthermore, high-pressure isothermal gas sorption experiments were conducted on coal samples from each seam section to explore their gas sorption capacity. The Langmuir model accurately characterizes CO_(2) sorption behavior, with ft coefcients (R^(2)) greater than 0.99. Strong positive correlations are observed between in-situ gas content and Langmuir volume, as well as between residual gas content (Q_(3)) and sorption hysteresis. Notably, the A3 seam section is proved to have a higher outburst propensity due to its higher Q_(1) and Q_(2) gas contents, lower sorption hysteresis, and reduced coal toughness f value. The insights derived from the study can contribute to the development of efective gas management strategies and enhance the safety and efciency of coal mining operations.

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.

Ground fissure development regularity and formation mechanism of shallow buried coal seam mining with Karst landform in Jiaozi coal mine: a case study

A comprehensive study was undertaken at Jiaozi coal mine to investigate the development regularity of ground fissures in shallow buried coal seam mining with Karst landform,shedding light on the development type,geographical distribution,dynamic development process,and failure mechanism of these ground fissures by employing field monitoring,numerical simulation,and theoretical analysis.The findings demonstrate that ground fissure development has an obvious feature of subregion,and its geographical distribution is significantly affected by topography.Tensile type,open type,and stepped type are three different categories of ground fissure.Ground fissures emerge dynamically as the panel advances,and they typically develop with a distance of less than periodic weighting step distance in advance of panel advancing position.Ground fissures present the dynamic development feature,temporary fissure has the ability of self-healing.The dynamic development process of ground fissure with closed-distance coal seam repeated mining is expounded,and the development scale is a dynamic development stage of“closure→expansion→stabilized”on the basis of the original development scale.From the perspective of topsoil deformation,the computation model considering two points movement vectors towards two directions of the gob and the ground surface is established,the development criterion considering the critical deformation value of topsoil is obtained.The mechanical model of hinged structure of inclined body is proposed to clarify the ground fissure development,and the interaction between slope activity and ground fissure development is expounded.These research results fulfill the gap of ground fissures about development regularity and formation mechanism,and can contribute to ground fissure prevention and treatment with Karst landform.

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.

Evaluation of roof cutting by directionally single cracking technique in automatic roadway formation for thick coal seam mining

Automatic roadway formation by roof cutting is a sustainable nonpillar mining method that has the potential to increase coal recovery,reduce roadway excavation and improve mining safety.In this method,roof cutting is the key process for stress relief,which significantly affects the stability of the formed roadway.This paper presents a directionally single cracking(DSC)technique for roof cutting with considerations of rock properties.The mechanism of the DSC technique was investi-gated by explicit finite element analyses.The DSC technique and roof cutting parameters were evaluated by discrete element simulation and field experiment.On this basis,the optimized DSC technique was tested in the field.The results indicate that the DSC technique could effectively control the blast-induced stress distribution and crack propagation in the roof rock,thus,achieve directionally single cracking on the roadway roof.The DsC technique for roof cutting with optimized parameters could effectively reduce the deformation and improve the stability of the formed roadway.Field engineering application verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the evaluated DSC technique for roof cutting.

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 antirefiection.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 drilling 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 efflcient 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.

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.

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.