Back-and-forth mining for hard and thick coal seams—research about the mining technology for fully mechanized caving working face of Datong Mine

The article introduced the key technology, mining process, and back-and-forth mining method for the caving working face of hard-thick coal seams in Datong mine, and researched this innovations process, optimized the systemic design and working face out-play, tried to perfect the caving mining technology of hard-thick coal seams further.

Development and prospect on fully mechanized mining in Chinese coal mines

Fully mechanized mining(FMM)technology has been applied in Chinese coal mines for more than 40 years.At present,the output of a FMM face has reached 10-million tons with Chinese-made equipment.In this study,the new developments in FMM technology and equipment in Chinese coal mines during past decades are introduced.The automatic FMM technology for thin seams,complete sets of FMM technology with ultra large shear height of 7 m for thick seams,complete sets of fully mechanized top coal caving technology with large shear height for ultra-thick seams of 20 m,complete sets of FMM technology for complex and difficult seams,including steeply inclined seams,soft coal seams with large inclination angle,and the mechanized filling mining technology and equipment are presented.Some typical case studies are also introduced.Finally,the existing problems with the FMM technology are discussed,and prospect of FMM technology and equipment applied in Chinese coal mines is put forward.

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.

Theoretical description of drawing body shape in an inclined seam with longwall top coal caving mining

Understanding the characteristics of drawing body shape is essential for optimization of drawing parameters in longwall top coal caving mining.In this study,both physical experiments and theoretical analysis are employed to investigate these characteristics and derive a theoretical equation for the drawing body shape along the working face in an inclined seam.By analyzing the initial positions of drawn marked particles,the characteristics of the drawing body shape for different seam dip angles are obtained.It is shown that the drawing body of the top coal exhibits a shape-difference and volume-symmetry characteristic,on taking a vertical line through the center of support opening as the axis of symmetry,the shapes of the drawing body on the two sides of this axis are clearly different,but their volumes are equal.By establishing theoretical models of the drawing body in the initial drawing stage and the normal drawing stage,a theoretical equation for the drawing body in an inclined seam is proposed,which can accurately describe the characteristics of the drawing body shape.The shape characteristics and volume symmetry of the drawing body are further analyzed by comparing the results of theoretical calculations and numerical simulations.It is shown that one side of the drawing body is divided into two parts by an inflection point,with the lower part being a variation development area.This variation development area increases gradually with increasing seam dip angle,resulting in an asymmetry of the drawing body shape.However,the volume symmetry coefficient fluctuates around 1 for all values of the seam dip angle variation,and the volumes of the drawing body on the two sides are more or less equal as the variation development volume is more or less equal to the cut volume.Both theoretical calculations and numerical simulations confirm that the drawing body of the top coal exhibits the shape-difference and volume-symmetry characteristic.

Top coal caving mining technique in thick coal seam beneath the earth dam

It is important to study the mining technology under structures for raising the coal resources recovery ratio. Based on the geological and mining conditions, the top coal caving harmonic mining technique in thick coal seam beneath the earth dam was put forward and studied. The 5 factors such as the panel mining direction, panel size, panel location, panel mining sequence and panel advance velocity were taken into account in this technique. The dam movement and deformation were predicted after the thick coal seam mining and the effects of mining on the dam were studied. By setting up the surveying stations on the dam, the movement and deformation of the dam were observed during mining. By taking some protective measures on the dam, the top coal caving mining technique in thick coal seam beneath the earth dam was carried out successfully. The study demonstrates that harmonic mining in thick coal seam is feasible under the dam. The safety of the earth dam after mining was ensured and the coal resources recovery ratio was improved.

Technical parameters of drawing and coal-gangue field movements of a fully mechanized large mining height top coal caving working face

Under fully mechanized, large mining height top coal caving conditions, the shield beam slope angle of the support increases due to the enlargement of the top coal breaking and caving space. This results in a change of the caving window location and dimensions and, therefore, the granular coal-gangue movement and flows provide new characteristics during top coal caving. The main inferences we draw are as follows. Firstly, after shifting the supports, the caved top coal layer line and the coal gangue boundary line become steeper and are clearly larger than those under common mining heights. Secondly, during the top coal caving procedure, the speed of the coal-gangue flow increases and at the same drawing interval, the distance between the coal-gangue boundary line and the top beam end is reduced. Thirdly, affected by the drawing ratio, the slope angle of the shield beam and the dimensions of the caving window, it is easy to mix the gangue. A rational drawing interval will cause the coal-gangue boundary line to be slightly behind the down tail boom lower boundary. This rational drawing interval under conditions of large mining heights has been analyzed and determined.

Trial of small gateroad pillar in top coal caving longwall mining of large mining height

Coal seams in Tashan Mine of Datong Coal Group in China average 15 m thick and have been mined by the top coal caving longwall mining method of large mining height. Mining height was 3.8 m and the top coal caving height was 11.2 m. The gateroad pillar between panels was 38 m. During retreat mining,serious bumps occurred in the gateroads on both sides of the pillar affecting safety production. Therefore,pillarless mining was experimented. Using numerical modeling and comparative study of cases of similar mining condition,it was decided to employ a 6 m wide pillar,rather than the previous 38 m wide pillar.Support system for the gateroads was designed and implemented. During gateroad development,pillar failure conditions and entry deformation were monitored. Hydraulic fracturing method was employed to cut off the K3 sandstone along the entry rib so as to reduce the abutment pressure induced during retreat mining. Support reinforcement method combining grouting and advanced reinforcement methods was proposed to insure stable gateroad ahead of mining. Methane drainage and nitrogen injection were implemented to eliminate hazards associated with mine fire and spontaneous combustion. Since the development of gateroad has just completed,and retreat mining has not begun,the effectiveness of the proposed methods is unknown at this point. However,monitoring will continue until after mining.The results will be published in a separate paper.

Neural Network Identification Model for Technology Selection of Fully-Mechanized Top-Coal Caving Mining

This paper mainly discusses the selection of the technical parameters of fully mechanized top coal caving mining using the neural network technique. The comparison between computing results and experiment data shows that the set up neural network model has high accuracy and decision making benefit.

Coupling effects of coal pillars of thick coal seams in large-space stopes and hard stratum on mine pressure

Concerning the issue of mine pressure behaviors occurred in fully mechanized caving mining of thick coal seams beneath hard stratum in Datong Mining Area, combined with thin and thick plate theory, the paper utilizes theoretical analysis, similar experiments, numerical simulations and field tests to study the influence of remaining coal pillars in Jurassic system goaf on hard stratum fractures, as well as mine pressure behaviors under their coupling effects. The paper concludes the solution formula of initial fault displacement in hard stratum caused by remaining coal pillars. Experiments prove that coupling effects can enhance mine pressure behaviors on working faces. When inter-layer inferior key strata fractures, mine pressure phenomenon such as significant roof weighting steps and increasing resistance in support.When inter-layer superior key strata fractures, the scope of overlying strata extends to Jurassic system goaf, dual-system stopes cut through, and remaining coal pillars lose stability. As a result, the bottom inferior key strata also lose stability. It causes huge impacts on working face, and the second mine pressure behaviors. These phenomena provide evidence for research on other similar mine strata pressure behaviors occurred in dual-system mines with remaining coal pillars.

Systematic principles of surrounding rock control in longwall mining within thick coal seams

Effective surrounding rock control is a prerequisite for realizing safe mining in underground coal mines.In the past three decades, longwall top-coal caving mining(LTCC) and single pass large height longwall mining(SPLL) found expanded usage in extracting thick coal seams in China. The two mining methods lead to large void space left behind the working face, which increases the difficulty in ground control.Longwall face failure is a common problem in both LTCC and SPLL mining. Such failure is conventionally attributed to low strength and high fracture intensity of the coal seam. However, the stiffness of main components included in the surrounding rock system also greatly influences longwall face stability.Correspondingly, surrounding rock system is developed for LTCC and SPLL faces in this paper. The conditions for simultaneous balance of roof structure and longwall face are put forward by taking the stiffness of coal seam, roof strata and hydraulic support into account. The safety factor of the longwall face is defined as the ratio between the ultimate bearing capacity and actual load imposed on the coal wall.The influences provided by coal strength, coal stiffness, roof stiffness, and hydraulic support stiffness,as well as the movement of roof structure are analyzed. Finally, the key elements dominating longwall face stability are identified for improving surrounding rock control effectiveness in LTCC and SPLL faces.

Fracturing,caving propagation and influence of mining on groundwater above longwall panels–a review of predictive models

Historically there have been a number of different hypotheses and empirical models developed in an attempt to describe the nature of fracturing above longwall panels in underground coal mining.The motivation for suchmodels varies,ranging fromunderstanding the impact ofmining on surface subsidence,to back-analysis of caving behaviour in the immediate roof behind the longwall face.One of the most critical motivating factors that is taking on increased importance in many coalfields,is the need for better understanding,and hence prediction of the impact of mining on overlying strata,particularly strata units acting as aquifers for different groundwater horizons.This paper reviews some of the major prediction models in the context of observed behaviour of strata displacement and fracturing above longwall panels in the southern coalfields of New South Wales,south of Sydney.The paper discusses the parameter often referred to as"height of fracturing"in terms of the critical parameters that influence it,and the relevance and appropriateness of this terminology in the context of overlying sub-surface subsidence and groundwater impact.The paper proposes an alternative terminology for this parameter that better reflects what it is and how it is used.The paper also addresses the potential role of major bedding shear planes mobilised by mining and their potential influence on overlying subsidence and groundwater interference.

Analysis of the dialectical relation between top coal caving and coal-gas outbtu rst

According to the different engineering mechanical states of top coal caving andnormal stoping of gaseous loose thick coal seams,the dialectical relation between thiscaving method and dynamic disasters was analyzed by simulating the change of stressstates in the process of top coal initial caving with different mining and caving ratios basedon the ANSYS10.0.The variation of elastic energy and methane expansion energy duringfirst top coal caving was analyzed by first weighting and periodic weighting and combiningwith coal stress and deformation distribution of top coal normal stoping as well as positiveand negative examples in top coal caving of outburst coal seam.The research shows thatthe outburst risk increases along with the increase of the caving ratio in the initial miningstage.In the period of normal stoping,when the mining and caving ratio is smaller than1:3 and hard and massive overlying strata do not exist (periodic weighting is not obvious),it is beneficial to control ground stress leading type outburst.Thus,it is unreasonable toprohibit top coal caving in dangerous and outburst prone areas.

Numerical investigation on the caving mechanism with different standard deviations of top coal block size in LTCC

The size distribution of the broken top coal blocks is an important factor,affecting the recovery ratio and the efficiency of drawing top coal in longwall top coal caving(LTCC)mining panel.The standard deviation of top coal block size(dt)is one of the main parameters to reflect the size distribution of top coal.To find the effect of dt on the caving mechanism,this study simulates experiments with 9 different dt by using discrete element software PFC.The dt is divided into two stages:uniform distribution stage(UDS)whose dt is less than 0.1(Schemes 1–5),and nonuniform distribution stage(NDS)whose dt is more than 0.1(Schemes 6–9).This research mainly investigates the variation of recovery ratio,drawing body shape,boundary of top coal,and contact force between particles in the two stages,respectively.The results showed that with the increasing dt,the recovery ratio of the panel increases first and then decreases in UDS.It is the largest in Scheme 3,which mainly increases the drawing volume at the side of starting drawing end.However,the recovery ratio decreases first and then increases quickly in NDS,and it is the largest in Scheme 9,where the drawing volume at the side of finishing drawing end are relatively higher.In UDS,the major size of top coal is basically medium,while in NDS,the size varies from medium to small,and then to large,with a distinct difference in shape and volume of the drawing body.When the major size of top coal is medium and small,the cross-section width of the initial boundary of top coal at each height is relatively small.Conversely,when the top coal size is large,the initial boundary of top coal has a larger opening range,the rotating angle of lower boundary is relatively small in the normal drawing stage,which is conducive to the development of drawing body and reduces the residual top coal,and the maximum particle velocity and the particles movement angle are both larger.This study lays a foundation for the prediction of recovery ratio,and suggests that the uniform top coal is more manageable and has a larger recovery ratio.

Ground pressure and overlying strata structure for a repeated mining face of residual coal after room and pillar mining

To investigate the abnormal ground pressures and roof control problem in fully mechanized repeated mining of residual coal after room and pillar mining, the roof fracture structural model and mechanical model were developed using numerical simulation and theoretical analysis. The roof fracture characteristics of a repeated mining face were revealed and the ground pressure law and roof supporting condi- tions of the repeated mining face were obtained. The results indicate that when the repeated mining face passes the residual pillars, the sudden instability causes fracturing in the main roof above the old goal and forms an extra-large rock block above the mining face. A relatively stable ＂Voussoir beam＂ structure is formed after the advance fracturing of the main roof. When the repeated mining face passes the old goaf, as the large rock block revolves and touches gangue, the rock block will break secondarily under overburden rock loads. An example calculation was performed involving an integrated mine in Shanxi province, results showed that minimum working resistance values of support determined to be reason- able were respectively 11,412 kN and 10,743 kN when repeated mining face passed through residual pillar and goaf. On-site ground pressure monitoring results indicated that the mechanical model and support resistance calculation were reasonable.

Study on safe thickness of overlying thin bedrock in fully-mechanized top-coal caving face with thick coal seam

To prevent support crush, the overlying strata safe thickness and its influential elements were studied by the adoption of theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and in-situ measurement. According to the production and geological condition of first face in Sima coal mine, the results indicate that the clay contains large permissible bearing ability and has better arching force. After mining destruction, stable structure is formed in bedrock to ensure face safety. The clay thickness ＆ bedrock thickness are the key influential elements to stable structure. The minimal bedrock thickness is about 40 m to ensure safe mining under loose surface soil condition. When surface soil contains mainly thick clay, it forms steady structure with the composition of thin bedrock, so that it can reduce minimal thickness of bedrock and to ensure safe mining. When clay thickness is 40 m, minimal bedrock thickness is 20 m. When clay thickness is 30 m, minimal bedrock thickness is 30 m. Bearing pressure peak ranges from 5 to 15 m in the front face under thin bedrock condition. The bearing pressure distribution range is 15 m. Main roof break distance is small, and initial weighting of main roof is not distinctive, while first periodic weighting of main roof is quite distinctive.

Research on Feasibility of Top-Coal Caving Based on Neural Network Technique

Based on the neural network technique, this paper proposes a BP neural network model which integrates geological factors which affect top coal caving in a comprehensive index. The index of top coal caving may be used to forecast the mining cost of working faces, which shows the model’s potential prospect of applications.

灵东煤矿上分层综放开采型煤相似材料模拟试验研究

以灵东煤矿为研究对象,采用室内试验、物理相似模拟、现场监测方法,选取了石膏+石子+水作为型煤相似材料,优化了材料配比,验证了相似材料的合理性。研究结果表明,石膏∶石子=1∶5,石膏∶水=0.6∶1,石子粒径为3~5 mm时,材料强度与原煤强度基本一致;选用该配比制作型煤时,模拟试验与现场监测的基本顶平均周期来压步距分别为11.3、12.2 m,误差仅为7.38%,表明该配比制作型煤进行物理相似模拟试验时可以反映现场覆岩真实变化规律。

厚煤层大采高综放工作面覆岩断裂演化规律研究

大采高综放开采易形成强烈的矿压显现,上覆岩层的断裂演化规律对工作面安全生产至关重要。以羊场湾煤矿160206工作面为工程背景,运用相似模拟试验、数值模拟和理论分析的综合研究方法,对大采高综放工作面覆岩的断裂过程与覆岩运移规律进行系统研究。研究表明:导水裂隙带内岩层随工作面推进表现为“台阶下沉”,同层岩层下沉趋势沿走向表现为“急剧下降—稳定(最大值)—快速上升—稳定(最小值)”。工作面覆岩运动场由两区分布(加速下沉区、缓慢下沉区)演化为三区分布(加速下沉区、缓慢下沉区、稳定区)。对离层演化与地表下沉规律进行了定量描述,运用理论计算表达式深入地剖析了地表的动态下沉机理及其相关因素。结合相似模拟与数值模拟的试验结果,提出了覆岩断裂演化的形态变化特征:覆岩断裂形态由“单等腰梯形”演化为“双等腰梯形”,表土层影响区由“矩形”演化为“倒梯形”。分析了覆岩中垮落区、离层区、压实区、裂隙富集区的动态演化过程:垮落区逐渐增大至一定程度,高度小幅度降低并趋于稳定,离层区由下至上逐渐发育并随工作面向前移动,离层区逐渐闭合形成压实区,且压实区逐渐增大并最终保持稳定,裂隙富集区位于采空区前后端部并随工作面向前移动。

综放工作面围岩控制与智能化放煤技术现状及展望

分析了厚及特厚煤层智能化综放工作面围岩控制技术与智能化放顶煤技术发展现状及存在的问题,从巷道围岩高效支护、工作面超前支护、坚硬特厚顶煤冒放性、液压支架位姿监测及智能化放顶煤5个方面提出了工程实际需求。针对综放工作面实现安全、高效、智能化开采存在的技术难题与工程需求,对综放工作面围岩控制技术、智能化放煤技术进行了研究:构建了坚硬特厚煤层顶煤悬臂梁力学模型,研发了提高顶煤冒放性及放出率关键技术,实现了坚硬特厚煤层超大采高综放开采;研发了单元式超前液压支架顶梁可旋转自复位装置,实现了液压支架顶梁根据巷道顶板倾斜角度自动旋转支护,有效提高了单元式超前液压支架对巷道顶底板的适应性;提出了采用巷道支护液压支架替代传统锚网支护结构的思路,具有支护效率高、成本低、节省工作面超前支护等优点;开发了基于立柱与尾梁千斤顶行程的综放液压支架支护姿态监测装置与算法,提高了液压支架支护姿态解算效率与精度;提出了基于透明地质模型、煤量监测装置与煤矸识别装置融合的智能放煤控制方法,可有效解决多夹矸层特厚顶煤智能化放煤技术难题。提出智能地质保障技术、机器视觉精准测量与智能感知技术、综放工作面设备智能精准自适应控制技术、综放工作面数字孪生技术等是智能化综放开采技术与装备的发展趋势。

多频雷达融合的顶煤结构精准探测技术

顶煤结构的准确探测是实现综放智能化开采的重要依据,然而我国煤层结构复杂且内部常含多层夹矸,易影响综放智能化开采的水平。为此,提出一种多频雷达融合的顶煤结构精准探测方法,可提高雷达天线探测深度内的浅部探测精度,同时对顶煤内部的结构信息进行解释。主要研究步骤如下:首先,对不同频率的雷达数据进行预处理和空间对齐,建立不同频率雷达数据之间的空间对应关系;其次,利用滑动窗口与小波变换加权融合方法对多频率雷达数据进行处理,根据窗口内各分段小波信号的能量占比确定各频率信号的时变权重值,并引入边缘检测算法来提高小波变换对雷达数据的融合效率,实现多频雷达数据有效融合;最后,根据煤-矸-岩的介电常数差异和电磁波传播的衰减特性,建立顶煤内部回波强度模型,并利用分层识别方法计算出顶煤内部煤-矸-岩之间的界面信息,进而反演出顶煤内部结构(包括顶煤厚度、夹矸厚度及层数、夹矸层间距等)。试验结果表明:所提出的方法能有效地将不同频率雷达数据进行融合,并能有效地探测出顶煤内部结构特征,且顶煤厚度、夹矸厚度和夹矸层间距的探测误差均小于10%。该方法有助于实现顶煤结构的精准探测,为综放智能化开采提供理论技术支撑。