Fracture evolution and pressure relief gas drainage from distant protected coal seams under an extremely thick key stratum

When an extremely thick rock bed exists above a protected coal seam in the bending zone given the condition of a mining protective seam, this extremely thick rock bed controls the movement of the entire overlying stratum. This extremely thick rock bed, called a ＂main key stratum＂, will not subside nor break for a long time, causing lower fractures and bed separations not to close and gas can migrate to the bed separation areas along the fractures. These bed separations become gas enrichment areas. By analyzing the rule of fracture evolution and gas migration under the main key stratum after the deep protective coal seam has been mined, we propose a new gas drainage method which uses bore holes, drilled through rock and coal seams at great depths for draining pressure relief gas. In this method, the bores are located at a high level suction roadway （we can also drill them in the drilling field located high in an air gateway）. Given the practice in the Haizi mine, the gas drainage rate can reach 73% in the middie coal group, with a gas drainage radius over 100 m.

Gas drainage from different mine of drainage systems for deep coal areas： optimal placement seams with high gas emissions

The techniques of stress relief mining in low-permeability coal seams and pillarless gob side retained roadway entry using Y-type ventilation and gas drainage systems were developed to control gas outbursts and applied successfully. However, as the mining depth increasing, parts of the gas drainage system are not suitable for mines with high gas emissions. Because larger mining depths cause higher ground stresses, it becomes extremely difficult to maintain long gob side roadways. The greater deformation suffered by the roadway is not favorable lor borehole drilling for continuous gas drainage. To solve these problems, Y-type ventilation and gas drainage systems installed from a roof roadway were designed for drainage optimization. This system was designed based on a gas-enrichment zone analysis developed from mining the 11-2 coal seam in the Zhuji Mine at Huainan, Anhui Province, China. The method of Y-type gas extraction from different mine areas was applied to the panel 1112（1） in the Zhuji Mine. The absolute gas emission rate was up to 116.3 m^3/min with an average flow of 69.1 m^3/min at an average drainage concentration of nearly 85 %. After the Y-type method was adopted, the concentration of gas in the return air was 0.15 %-0.64 %, averaging 0.39 % with a ventilation rate of 2100-2750 m^3/min. The gas management system proved to be efficient, and the effective gas control allowed safe production to continue .

Experimental and measured research on three-dimensional deformation law of gas drainage borehole in coal seam

Using self-researched gas drainage borehole stability dynamic monitoring device, three-dimensional deformation characteristics of borehole under steady vertical load were researched experimentally and systematically. This research indicated that under the action of steady loading, the mechanical deformation path of the simulated gas drainage borehole is gradually complicated, and the decay of the borehole circumferential strain is an important characterization of the prediction and early warning of borehole instability and collapse. The horizontal position of borehole occurs compressive strain, and the vertical of which occurs tensile strain under the action of vertical stress. At the initial stage of loading, the vertical strain is more sensitive than that in the horizontal direction. After a certain period of time, the horizontal strain is gradually higher than the vertical one, and the intersection of the borehole horizontal diameter and the hole wall is the stress concentration point. With the increase of the depth of hole, the strain shows a gradual decay trend as a whole, and the vertical strain decays more observably, but there is no absolute position correlation between the amount of strain decay and the increase in borehole depth,and the area within 1.5 times the orifice size is the borehole stress concentration zone.

Fissure evolution and evaluation of pressure-relief gas drainage in the exploitation of super-remote protected seams

Based on nonlinearity contact theory and the geological structure of the Xieqiao Coal Mine in the newly developed Huainan coal field,rock movements,mining fissures and deformation of overlying strata were simulated by using the interface unit of FLAC3D to evaluate the pressure-relief gas drainage in the exploitation of super-remote protected seams.The simulation indicates that the height of the water flowing fractured zone is 54 m in the overlying strata above the protective layer.The maximum relative swelling deformation of the C13 coal seam is 0.232%,while the mining height is 3.0 m and the distance from the B8 roof to the C13 floor is 129 m,which provides good agreement with a similar experiment and in situ results.The feasibility of exploitation of a super-remote protective coal seam and the performance of the pressure-relief gas drainage in a super-remote protected layer are evaluated by comparisons with practice projects.It demonstrates that the relieved gas in the super-remote protected layers could be better drained and it is feasible to exploit the B8 coal seam before the C13 super-remote protected coal seam.The method is applicable for the study of rock movements,mining fissures and deformation of the overburden,using the interface unit to analyze the contact problems in coal mines.

Pressure relief, gas drainage and deformation effects on an overlying coal seam induced by drilling an extra-thin protective coal seam

Numerical simulations and field tests were used to investigate the changes in ground stress and deformation of, and gas flow from, a protected coal seam under which an extra-thin coal seam was drilled. The geological conditions were: 0.5 meter mining height, 18.5 meter coal seam spacing and a hard limestone/fine sandstone inter-stratum. For these conditions we conclude: 1) the overlying coal-rock mass bends and sinks without the appearance of a caving zone, and 2) the protected coal seam is in the bending zone and undergoes expansion deformation in the stress-relaxed area. The deformation was 12 mm and the relative defor- mation was 0.15%. As mining proceeds, deformation in the protected layer begins as compression, then becomes a rapid expansion and, finally, reaches a stable value. A large number of bed separation crannies are created in the stress-relaxed area and the permeability coefficient of the coal seam was increased 403 fold. Grid penetration boreholes were evenly drilled toward the protected coal seam to affect pressure relief and gas drainage. This made the gas pressure decrease from 0.75 to 0.15 MPa, the gas content decrease from 13 to 4.66 m3/t and the gas drainage reach 64%.

Safety analysis of stability of surface gas drainage boreholes above goaf areas

As longwall caving mining method prevails rapidly in China coal mines, amount of gas emission from longwall faces and goaf area increased significantly. Using traditional gas drainage methods, such as drilling upward holes to roof strata in tailgate or drilling inseam and cross-measure boreholes, could not meet methane drainage requirements in a gassy mine. The alternative is to drill boreholes from surface down to the Iongwall goaf area to drain the gas out. As soon as a coal seam is extracted out, the upper rock strata above the goaf start to collapse or become fractured depending upon the rock characteristics and the height above the coal seam. During overlying rock strata being fractured, boreholes in the area may be damaged due to ground movement after the passage of the Iongwall face. The sudden damage of a borehole may cause a Iongwall production halt or even a serious mine accident. A theoretical calculation of the stability of surface boreholes in mining affected area is introduced along with an example of determination of borehole and casing diameters is given for demonstration. By using this method for the drilling design, the damage of surface boreholes caused by excessive mining induced displacement can be effectively reduced if not totally avoided. Borehole and casing diameters as well as characteristics of filling materials can be determined using the proposed method by calculating the horizontal movement and vertical stain at different borehole depths.

Principle and engineering application of pressure relief gas drainage in low permeability outburst coal seam

With the increase in mining depth, the danger of coal and gas outbursts increases.In order to drain coal gas effectively and to eliminate the risk of coal and gas outbursts, we used a specific number of penetration boreholes for draining of pressure relief gas.Based on the principle of overlying strata movement, deformation and pressure relief, a good effect of gas drainage was obtained.The practice in the Panyi coal mine has shown that, after mining the C11coal seam as the protective layer, the relative expansion deformation value of the protected layer C13 reached 2.63%, The permeability coefficient increased 2880 times, the gas drainage rate of the C13 coal seam increased to more than 60%, the amount of gas was reduced from 13.0 to 5.2 m3/t and the gas pressure declined from 4.4 to 0.4 MPa, which caused the danger the outbursts in the coal seams to be eliminated.The result was that we achieved a safe and highly efficient mining operation of the C13 coal seam.

Dynamic leakage mechanism of gas drainage borehole and engineering application

Borehole leakage not only affects the gas drainage effect but also presents considerable risk to human security. For the research on the leakage mechanism of gas drainage borehole, the rheological and visco-elastic-plastic characteristics were considered to establish the mechanical model of coal mass around borehole, which is used to analyze the leakage mechanism and deduce the dynamic leakage model. On the basis of the real coal seam conditions, the variation rules of the stress, leakage ring, and air leakage amount were analyzed through numerical simulation, and the influence factors of air leakage amount were also investigated to provide the theoretical basis for the sealing technology. Results show that the air leakage amount of borehole is inversely proportional to the increase in supporting stress and sealing length, and directly correlated with the increase in borehole radius and softening modulus. Using theoretical analysis, we design a novel active supporting sealing technology that can use grouting material to seal the fractures to reduce the leakage channels and also provide supporting stress to prevent borehole deformation. The engineering test results indicate that the average gas concentration with the novel active supporting sealing technology is increased by 162.12% than that of traditional polyurethane sealing method. Therefore, this technology not only effectively resolves borehole leakage but also significantly improves the gas drainage effect.

Gas emission quantity prediction and drainage technology of steeply inclined and extremely thick coal seams

Gas emissions of workfaces in steeply inclined and extremely thick coal seams differ from those under normal geological conditions, which usually feature a high gas concentration and a large emission quantity. This study took the Wudong coal mine in Xinjiang province of China as a typical case. The gas occurrence of the coal seam and the pressure-relief range of the surrounding rock(coal) were studied by experiments and numerical simulations. Then, a new method to calculate the gas emission quantity for this special geological condition was provided. Based on the calculated quantity, a further gas drainage plan, as well as the evaluation of it with field drainage data, was finally given. The results are important for engineers to reasonably plan the gas drainage boreholes of steeply inclined and extremely thick coal seams.

Evolution and application of in-seam drilling for gas drainage

The presence of seam gas in the form of methane or carbon dioxide presents a hazard to underground coal mining operations.In-seam drilling has been undertaken for the past three decades for gas drainage to reduce the risk of gas outburst and lower the concentrations of seam gas in the underground ventilation.The drilling practices have reflected the standards of the times and have evolved with the development of technology and equipment and the needs to provide a safe mining environment underground.Early practice was to adapt equipment from other felds,with rotary drilling being the only form of drilling available.This form of drainage allowed various levels of gas drainage coverage but with changing emphasis,research and development within the coal industry has created specifc equipment,technology and practices to accurately place in-seam boreholes to provide effcient and effective gas drainage.Research into gas content determination established a standard for the process and safe levels for mining operations to continue.Surveying technology improved from the wire-line,single-shot Eastman survey instruments which was time-dependent on borehole depth to electronic instruments located in the drill string which transmitted accurate survey data to the drilling crew without time delays.This allowed improved directional control and increased drilling rates.Directional drilling technology has now been established as the industry standard to provide effective gas drainage drilling.Exploration was identifed as an additional beneft with directional drilling as it has the ability to provide exploration data from long boreholes.The ability of the technology to provide safe and reliable means to investigate the need for inrush protection and water drainage ahead of mining has been established.Directional drilling technology has now been introduced to the Chinese coal industry for gas drainage through a practice of auditing,design,supply,training and ongoing support.Experienced drilling crews can offer site specifc gas drainage drilling services utilising the latest equipment and technology.

A case study of gas drainage to low permeability coal seam

Gas drainage at low gas permeability coal seam is a main barrier affecting safety and efficient production in coal mines. Therefore, the research and application of drainage technology at low permeability coal seam is a key factor for gas control of coal mine. In order to improve the drainage effect, this paper establishes a three-dimensional solid-gas-liquid coupling numerical model, and the gas drainage amounts of different schemes are examined inside the overburden material around the goaf. The Yangquan mine area is selected for the case study, and the gas movement regularity and emission characteristics are analyzed in detail, as well as the stress and fissure variation regularity. Also examinations are the released gas movement, enrichment range and movement regularity during coal extraction. Moreover, the gas drainage technology and drainage parameters for the current coal seam are studied. After measuring the gas drainage flow in-situ, it is concluded that the technology can achieve notable drainage results, with gas drainage rate increase by 30%–40% in a low permeability coal seam.

Numerical simulation of influence of Langmuir adsorption constant on gas drainage radius of drilling in coal seam

To determine reasonable distance of gas pre-drainage drillings in coal seams, a solid–gas coupling model that takes gas adsorption effect into account was constructed. In view of different adsorption constants,the paper conducted the numerical simulation of pre-drainage gas in drillings along coal seam, studied the relationship of adsorption constants and permeability, gas pressure, and effective drainage radius of coal seams, and applied the approach to the layout of pre-drainage gas drillings in coal seams. The results show that the permeability of coal seams is on the gradual increase with time, which is divided into three sections according to the increase rate: the drainage time 0–30 d is the sharp increase section;30–220 d is the gradual increase section; and the time above 200 d is the stable section. The permeability of coal seams is in negative linear and positive exponent relation with volume adsorption constant VLand pressure adsorption constant PL, respectively. The effective drainage radius is in negative linear relation with VLand in positive exponent relation with PL. Compared with the former design scheme, the engineering quantity of drilling could be reduced by 25%.

Technology of gas drainage and utilization in Huaibei mining area

With the characteristics of coal seam geology and gas occurrence,a'ground-underground' integrated gas drainage method was formed,which can relieve gaspressure and increase permeability by mining the protection seams in conditional regions.After coal seam gas drainage,high gas outburst seam was converted to low gas safetyseam.In the coal face mining process,safety and high efficient coal mining were realizedby the measure of gas-suction over mining.In addition to the drainage gas for civil gasand gas power generation,the Huaibei Mining Group has actively carried out research onthe utilization technology of methane drainage by ventilation.On the one hand,it can saveprecious energy;on the other hand,it can protect the environment for people's survival.In2007,the amount of coal mine gas drainage was 120 hm3;the rate of coal mine gasdrainage was 44%.Compared with the year 2002,the amount of coal mine gas drainageincreased by two times.Meanwhile,the utilization rate of gas increased rapidly.

Gas drainage efficiency improvement by increasing coalbed permeability using waterjet cutting system

This paper presented a method to create artificial fractures along the existing gas drainage borehole and increase the permeability of the coalbed using a high pressure waterjet cutting system.The field work conducted in Rujigou Colliery, Shenhua Ningxia Coal Group demonstrate that the coalbed permeability is increased, and accordingly, gas drainage efficiency is improved up to 3 to 6 times over the traditional methods using high pressure waterjet technique.Also, based on the monitoring data, the conceptual model for gas drainage process associated with different mining activities has been proposed, and few major advantages using waterjet assistance method have been identified.

3D numerical simulation of boreholes for gas drainage based on the pore–fracture dual media

A gas migration controlling equation was formulated based on the characteristics of the dual pore–fracture media of coal mass and in consideration of the matrix exchange between pores and fractures.A model of permeability dynamic evolution was established by analyzing the variation in effective stress during gas drainage and the action mechanism of the effect of coal matrix desorption on porosity and fracture in the coal body.A coupling model can then be obtained to characterize gas compressibility and coal deformability under the gas–solid coupling of loading coal.In addition,a 3D model of boreholes was established and solved for gas drainage based on the relevant physical parameters of real mines.The comparison and analysis results for the law of gas migration and the evolution of coal body permeability around the boreholes before and after gas extraction between the dual media and the single-seepage field models can provide a theoretical basis for further research on the action mechanism of gas drainage.

Microscopic properties and sealing performance of new gas drainage drilling sealing material

The geological condition of Chinese coal mines are complex and high gassy,which account for ffty percent to seventy percent.Because of the abundant pores and cracks around the drainage drilling hole,the gas concentration attenuates rapidly,and the effective gas drainage period is short.The traditional sealing materials of yellow mud and cement-sand grout will readily shrink after the drilling hole is sealed,the sealing length is short and the sealing quality is not satisfactory.Currently widely used polyurethane material will shrink when it comes into contact with water,and the price is also very high.In this study,taking cement as a base material,a novel composite sealing material mixed by expansion admixture,additive,and fbrin and coupling agent was developed and the sealing performance and expansion property of the material were also studied and analyzed.The FEI Quanta TM 250 environmental scanning electron microscope was used to investigate the microstructure of material.The results revealed that the new composite sealing material had a desirable expansion performance and a defnite fluidity convenient for grouting.The solidifed material,combining closely with the drilling wall,possessed an adequate strength and was not easy to shrink.Compared to the conventional polyurethane,the gas drainage concentration by drilling sealing exceeded 40 percent,and the sealing capacity improves5 times,the sealing effect increases signifcantly.

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.

Numerical simulation on the movement law of overlying strata in the stope with a fault and analysis of its influence on the ground gas drainage boreholes

In order to study the influence of a fault on the movement law of the overlying strata as well as its effect on the gas drainage boreholes, based on the practical situation of 1242（1） panel at Xieqiao Mine in Huainan, the Finite Element Method （FEM） model was built up, and the distribution of the stress field and the displacement field of the overlying strata in the stope with a fault were simulated by using the FEM software ANSYS. The results indicate that because of the existence of the fault, the horizontal displacement of overlying strata near the gas drainage borehole becomes larger than that in the stope without a fault, and the distribution of the stress field of the overlying strata changes greatly. When the working face is far away from the fault, the distribution of the stress field is approximately symmetrical. As the working face advances to the place 50 m away from the fault, the stress range at the right side goaf area is as twice as that at the left side. Here, the stress distribution area of goaf area and the fault plane run through, the fracture-connected-zone is formed. It can be presumed that the gas adsorbed in the coal and rock will flow into the fault zone along the fracture-connected-zone, which causes the quantity of gas drainage reduce remarkably.

Gas-solid coupling analysis and numerical simulation of the dynamic process of gas drainage

Based on the basic theory of gas seepage and coal seam deformation, using the numerical simulation method, this paper established the gas-solid coupling model of gas drainage from borehole. Using multi-physical coupling analysis software, the authors studied the stress change conditions around the drainage borehole, the influence of the gas drainage effect caused by the drilling gap, and the gas drainage effect under the conditions of different borehole radius and different permeabilities. The results show that the effective drainage radius is 1.03 m during 30 days of drainage. The effect of the diameter change of the drainage borehole is limited, but the influence of coal seam permeability is much bigger. After the same drainage period, the greater the permeability of coal seam is, the bigger the drainage radius is. For a low permeability coal seam, coal miners should take pressure-relief measures and increase the permeability to improve the drainage effects before draining gas through drilling.

Comparative experiments of gas drainage in different types of drillings

Gas drainage effect is the utmost important factor for mining speed and mining safety. It has great meaning to study the effect of gas drainage. Comparative experiment of gas drainage in different types of drillings shows that the initial rate of gas natural emission by hydraulic loosed cross drilling is 1.5 times more than that of parallel drilling, and the drilling gas at- tenuation coefficients reduces to 0.78 times, the effect of gas drainage is good. The ultimate quantity of gas drainage of parallel drilling, cross drilling, hydraulic loosed cross drilling are 859.1, 1 323.5 and 1 833.6 m3/100 m. The results of the measurement through these three kinds of drillings of 100 meters drilling is considered as following： cross drilling is 1.54 times more than that of parallel drillings, hydraulic loosed cross drilling are 2.13 times more than parallel drilling. The drainage rate of parallel drilling, cross drilling and hydraulic loosed cross drilling reached 10% to 15% in 3 months with the pre-draining time. Among these, the drainage effect of hydraulic loosed cross drilling increased by 46% than that of parallel drilling in three months.