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.

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.

Similar material simulation research on movement law of roof over-lying strata in stope of fully mechanized caving face with large mining height

Similar material simulation test W9-15 101 fully mechanized caving face with was carried out in a geological model of large mining height in the Liuhuanggou Colliery, in Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region. The roof overlying strata movement law in the stope of a fully mechanized caving face with large mining height was studied and show that the roof overlying strata in the stope of a fully mechanized caving face with large mining height can be formed into a stable arch structure; the fracture rock beam is formed resembling a ＂bond beam＂, but it has essentially the structure of ＂multi-span beams＂ under the big structure of the stable arch. The roof overlying strata movement law in the stope of a fully mechanized caving face with large mining height is similar to that of the common, fully mechanized caving stope, which is determined by the deformation and instability of the structure of ＂multi-span beams＂. But because of the differences between the mining heights, the peak pressure in the stope of a fully mechanized caving face with large mining height is smaller while the affected area of abutment pressure is wider in the front of the working face; this is the obvious difference in abutment pressure between the stope of a fully mechanized caving face with large mining height and that of the common.

Technological optimization of fully mechanized caving mining face with large mining heights

Fully mechanized cave mining with large mining height is a new mining method, due to its large mining thickness and lower roadway excavation, the technology has been widely used in China＇s thick seam mining. In order to improve the top-coal recovery ratio of fully mechanized cave mining with large mining height, a study was conducted on optimizing the caving process, based on the mechanized caving face 1302N in Longgu Coal Mine. This was achieved by improving the PFC numerical calculation methods, and establishing a more accurate model system. On this basis, the recovery ratio of the top coal in different drawing intervals and technologies was investigated in order to achieve a reasonable caving process. The top-coal tracking system was used for practical surveying of the recovery ratio of top coal.

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.

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.

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。

6~10 m厚煤层超大采高液压支架及其工作面系统自适应智能耦合控制

厚煤层储量及产量占我国原煤总储量及产量的一半,通过梳理厚煤层开采历史沿革,总结了我国厚煤层开采40年来的技术及装备研发实践,系统分析了以高端大采高液压支架及围岩智能耦合理论为代表的6~10 m大采高综采高效智能化综采技术及装备研究进展,提出了大采高支护理论及围岩智能耦合控制的突破是厚煤层一次开采高度突破的首要因素,完善的感知体系建立是液压支架自适应支护的前提,数字技术的应用为大采高工作面高效推进及装备智能协同控制提供了新的技术途径;阐明了大采高综放液压支架与围岩耦合关系,剖析了采高增加对硬煤层冒放性的有利影响,提出了基于煤矸识别、放煤机构控制的“纯煤段记忆放煤+煤岩分界模糊段人工反馈式干预放煤”的智能放煤控制策略;分析了大采高开采“采–运”协同智能耦合控制关键技术,构建了基于采煤机牵引速度与刮板输送机链速间联动调节的工作面装备间多机异构耦合自适应协同控制模型;研发了厚煤层开采中10 m超大采高液压支架,分析了厚煤层开采不断突破开采高度极限的新认识,从开采装备、控制系统等方面提出厚煤层一次开采高度的突破的研发方向。

塔山煤矿特厚煤层综放面顶煤冒放性研究

为研究特厚煤层综放工作面顶煤冒放性,结合塔山煤矿10501工作面5号煤层的开采条件,分别从埋深、煤体强度、煤体裂隙发育程度、夹矸强度和厚度、采放比等方面分析了顶煤冒放性的主要影响因素,数值模拟了2号和5号煤层采动对顶煤破碎效果的影响。根据理论分析、数值模拟结果,采取相应措施后,夹矸破碎程度高,顶煤冒放性好,达到了预期工程效果。

大采高综放面区段煤柱合理留设研究

侧向支承压力分布、资源回收率以及煤柱和巷道的稳定性是大采高综放面区段煤柱宽度留设要兼顾的因素,为了确定大采高综放面区段煤柱宽度,以某矿8103面为工程背景,首先,采用理论计算和现场应力监测等方法确定大采高综放工作面倾向支承压力分布规律,得出应力降低区宽度约为8 m,原岩应力区为巷帮侧28 m外。其次,采用工程类比方法确定大采高综放工作面巷帮外侧煤体严重破裂区宽度约为4 m。最后,采用FLAC3D数值软件分析了下区段工作面回采时窄煤柱(6、8 m)和宽煤柱(28、30m)的应力场、位移场及塑性区特征,获得不同煤柱宽度时巷道和煤柱力学特征。研究表明:当煤柱宽度6m和8m时,在采动支承压力下煤柱几乎无承载能力,且巷道变形量较大;当煤柱宽度28 m和30 m时,在采动支承压力下煤柱中央仍有一定的弹性核,煤柱保持稳定且巷道变形量较小。综合考虑资源回收、巷道稳定性、次生灾害控制等因素,确定大采高综放工作面区段煤柱宽度为28m。

厚冲积层下大采高综放工作面顶板控制机理与实践

龙固煤矿主采煤层上覆基岩厚度平均不足200 m,但基岩上方赋存着厚度平均超过700 m的厚冲积层,针对厚冲积层条件下工作面矿山压力与顶板的控制难题,分析了大采高长壁综放工作面上覆厚冲积层在采动卸荷条件下的承载特性,以及基岩发生台阶下沉的可能性及其对应临界厚度。研究结果表明,厚冲积层在其底部煤层大范围开挖后,自承载能力不强,其自重将以载荷形式作用在下伏基岩上,但当基岩厚度大于120 m时,断裂带岩层可以形成稳定的力学承载结构,确定工作面顶板具有可控性。在此基础上,研发了工作阻力为国内最大的ZF15000/23/43综放支架,对厚冲积层下大采高综放面围岩进行了有效控制。

我国厚煤层采煤技术的发展及采煤方法的选择

针对目前我国厚煤层开采方法的现场生产情况,重点论述了大采高、放顶煤开采方法近年来在技术经济上的现状及发展。同时,针对大采高存在的煤壁片帮与设备下滑问题,提出了在开采技术上应该采取的一些有效措施,对近年来发展起来的大采高放顶煤开采技术和研制的两柱式放顶煤液压支架的支护特点及使用情况等,进行了分析研究。文章从开采技术以及设备研制与生产现状等方面对厚煤层开采的采煤方法进行了分析,并根据目前我国厚煤层开采现状及国家的相关技术政策,探讨了厚煤层开采技术与采煤方法的适用条件与选择原则。

特厚煤层大采高综放工作面矿压及顶板破断特征

针对大采高综放工作面覆岩活动空间大、开采扰动强烈的特点,以不连沟煤矿特厚煤层大采高综放开采为背景,采用现场实测和理论分析等方法对大采高综放采场矿压及顶板运移破断特征进行分析,建立了大采高综放采场周期来压岩层破断的力学模型,得出了液压支架工作阻力的计算方法。结果表明:大采高综放工作面来压时安全阀开启频繁、顶板快速下沉,额定工作阻力13 800 kN的液压支架不能满足顶板控制的需要;开采空间的增大、直接顶厚度增大,低位基本顶转化为直接顶成为悬臂结构、高位基本顶形成砌体梁,二者形成"上位砌体梁-下位倒台阶组合悬臂结构";工作面来压强烈、动载明显、持续时间短的矿压现象是由于高位砌体梁结构滑落失稳造成的,据其力学特征确定了液压支架的工作阻力。

特厚煤层大采高综放自动化开采技术与装备

针对我国西部矿区坚硬特厚煤层综放自动化开采技术难题,研究了大采高综放工作面液压支架与围岩耦合作用关系,分析了坚硬特厚煤层顶煤冒放结构及液压支架合理工作阻力确定方法,研发了液压支架与围岩智能耦合控制系统及自动化放顶煤控制系统,实现了大采高综放工作面自动化开采。基于坚硬特厚煤层大采高综放液压支架与围岩耦合作用关系,建立了坚硬顶煤冒放的"悬臂梁"模型及顶板岩层结构失稳的"组合悬臂梁"模型,揭示了大采高综放工作面合理机采高度确定方法及合理液压支架工作阻力确定方法。通过分析两柱强力液压支架的承载特性,创新设计了大采高综放液压支架三级高效强扰动放煤机构,研发了综放液压支架智能耦合控制系统,实现了对液压支架姿态与受力状态的实时监测。基于大采高综放工作面分段多窗口多轮放煤工艺的时序控制自动化放煤逻辑关系,研发了自动化放煤控制装置,实现了坚硬特厚煤层大采高综放工作面安全、高效、高回采率自动化开采。

大同矿区特厚中硬煤层综放顶煤运移规律研究

针对塔山煤矿采高4.5 m、放煤高度10.5 m的特厚煤层,采用相似材料放煤试验和PFC3D软件对一刀一放开采时不同放煤方式(单轮顺序放煤、单轮间隔放煤、多轮间隔放煤、第一轮顺序第二轮间隔)的放煤过程进行了分析,获得特厚煤层大采高放顶煤开采的基本规律及最优的放煤方式,为大采高特厚中硬煤层放顶煤开采实践提供了指导。

放顶煤液压支架的创新与发展

回顾我国放顶煤技术的发展历程,介绍了我国放顶煤液压支架的创新成果,着重阐述我国放顶煤液压支架的最新发展、大采高放顶煤液压支架的应用及其采用的关键技术,如:专利技术新型双四连杆中通式大空间支架稳定机构、抗冲击立柱、支架稳定性措施及煤壁片帮控制措施等。分析了新型分体组合式直线型放顶煤液压支架的特点及其适应性和稳定性,并提出放顶煤液压支架发展的方向应为:发展两柱放顶煤液压支架、轻型放顶煤液压支架、大采高放顶煤支架、浅埋深厚煤层放顶煤液压支架和深部矿井厚煤层放顶煤液压支架等。

坚硬特厚煤层顶煤冒放结构及提高采出率技术

针对西部埋深较浅、坚硬、特厚煤层顶煤冒放性差的问题,以金鸡滩煤矿2-2上坚硬特厚煤层赋存条件为基础,通过理论模型计算、数值模拟分析及设备结构优化设计等方法,分析了坚硬特厚煤层顶煤冒放结构及提高采出率技术。通过建立坚硬特厚顶煤的"悬臂梁"力学模型,计算分析了顶煤厚度与悬臂极限断裂长度的关系;首次定量分析了液压支架反复支撑对顶煤的损伤破坏效果,研究了液压支架主动支护作用力、反复支撑次数对顶煤破坏深度、破坏块度的影响;分析了大采高综放工作面煤壁片帮防治与提高顶煤冒放性的矛盾,通过优化液压支架架型结构参数解决了二者之间的矛盾;创新设计了强扰动三级高效放煤机构与综放工作面后部刮板输送机交叉侧卸布置方式,有效提高了大块顶煤的放出率与放出效率。

煤炭安全高效开采技术与装备发展

基于我国煤炭工业＂黄金十年＂安全高效开采技术发展成就,阐述了液压支架与围岩刚度耦合、强度耦合、稳定性耦合关系理论的创立与应用;提出了大倾角煤层液压支架＂自撑—邻拉—底推—顶挤＂的稳定性控制策略及成套技术;解决了薄煤层超大伸缩比立柱、智能化开采技术难题,研发0.6~1.3m复杂薄煤层自动化综采成套技术与装备,实现工作面有人值守无人操作;开发了7m特大采高综采成套装备及大梯度过渡配套技术,实现大采高综采技术新突破;研发了特厚煤层大采高综放开采成套技术与装备,成功实现14~20m特厚煤层安全、高效、高回收率开采。基于煤炭市场发展趋势和技术发展要求,展望＂十三五＂煤炭安全、高效、集约、智能化开采技术与装备发展方向。

我国厚煤层开采技术现状及需要解决的关键问题

详细介绍了我国厚煤层开采技术现状与发展历程,以及我国在放顶煤开采和大采高开采方面所取得的突出成绩。指出对于厚煤层开采要根据煤层条件和技术条件等采用合适的开采方法。随着开采煤层厚度和开采强度的增加,目前也遇到了提高煤炭资源回收率、支架合理选型、瓦斯运移规律与防治技术等新的课题,迫切需要解决。

大采高综放开采顶煤运移规律的数值模拟研究

采用FALC3D软件模拟研究了塔山煤矿8105工作面在不同采高、不同支护强度下顶煤水平、垂直位移与距煤壁距离间的变化规律。模拟结果表明采高加大顶煤始动点前移、位移量增加,有利于顶煤的破碎;加大支架支护强度对下位顶煤位移量影响较大,有利于下位顶煤的破碎。