Support-surrounding rock relationship and top-coal movement laws in large dip angle fully-mechanized caving face

When mining the fully-mechanized longwall caving face along strike, the unstable equipment, the low top-coal recovery ratio and the difficulty in controlling surrounding rock may occur due to large dip angle. Considering the effects of strike angle on support stability, the ‘‘support-surrounding rock"mechanical models of support topple and support slip were established in this paper. On the basis, the influencing factors of support stability were analyzed and the technical measures of controlling support and surrounding rock stability were put forward. Then the loose particles simulation experiment was conducted to analyze the impacts of caving directions and methods on the top-coal recovery in large dip angle fully-mechanized caving face. Finally, the ‘‘upward sequence and double-openings doublerounds" caving technology was determined. The research results are of great scientific significance and practical values to improve large dip thick seam mining technology.

Numerical simulation for determining three zones in the goaf at a fully-mechanized coal face

According to the theory of ventilation network, a model for a filtration flow field in goaf was built and simulation soft- ware for determining the three zones in goaf has been developed. This software uses no-gap-connection between Visual Basic (VB) and Excel to exchange data, uses Component Object Model (COM) component of MATLAB to plot charts of the three zones and to export the corresponding coordinates of the isolines. An example shows that this software is convenient and simple. By using it, the three zones can be easily determined. The software is convenient in studies and analyses of the three zones in goaf.

Characteristics of Gas Emission at Super-Length Fully-Mechanized Top Coal Caving Face

Characteristics of gas emission at the K8206 working face in the Third mine of the Yangquan Coal Group were investigated. The effects of strata movement,advancing velocity of working face,production capacity of working face and gas extraction capability of strike high-level entry on gas emission at K8206 working face were analyzed. A regression equation,reflecting the relationship between relative gas emission rate and the production capacity of work-ing faces,was established. Another regression equation showing the relationship between the gas emission rate from adjacent layers when the working face was advancing for one metre and advancing velocity was derived. It can be con-cluded that,1) the amount of gas emitted at the K8206 working face is far greater than that of ordinary top coal caving faces with a dip length of 180-190 m; 2) the dynamic process of gas emission from adjacent layers during the initial mining stage is controlled by the movement of key strata; 3) the amount of gas emitted that needs to be forced out by air is greatly affected by the capability of gas extraction; 4) when the advancing velocity is between 3.5-5.5 m/d or when the output is up to 8-12 kt/d,the gas emission from adjacent layers is almost constant.

Waste-filling in fully-mechanized coal mining and its application

A fully-mechanized coal mining (FMCM) technology capable of filling up the goaf with wastes (including solid wastes) is described. Industrial tests have proved that by using this technology not only can waste be re-used but also coal resources can be exploited with a higher recovery rate without removing buildings located over the working faces. Two special devices, a hydraulic support and a scraper conveyor, run side-by-side on the same working face to simultaneously realize mining and filling. These are described in detail. The tests allow analysis of rock pressure and ground subsidence when backfilling techniques are employed. These values are compared to those from mining without using backfilling techniques, under the same geological conditions. The concept of equivalent mining height is proposed based on theoretical analysis of rock pressure and ground subsidence. The upper limits of the rock pressure and ground subsidence can be estimated in backfilling mining using this concept along with traditional engineering formulae.

Patterns governing distribution of surrounding-rock stress and strata behaviors of fully-mechanized caving faces

By employing numerical modeling, similar material simulation and comprehen-sive field observation, investigations were made and patterns were obtained governing surrounding-rock stress distribution and strata behaviors. It shows that patterns governing displacement of FMC roadway surrounding rocks and those governing deformation of supports are basically the same along the strike, but the displacements vary greatly. The front stresses affect greater areas than the lateral stresses and their limit widths of equilib-rium zones and K are almost similar. The stress transmits very deep. Our findings offer scientific basis on which to determine parameters for coal pillar retaining and for roadway out-laying, thus increasing the recovery ratio and improving the maintenance of roadway.

Analysis of Noise at Coal Face by Fully-Mechanized Coal Winning Technology

The noise level of coal face by full-mechanized coal winning technology was measured in a coal mine. And then it was analyzed and evaluated using environment science, ergonomics and fussy mathematics analysis. Basis of the statistics and analysis of the measured noise level some measures, such as applying the new materials and improving the construction of the equipment, were carried out. The resuts show that they can reduce the noise level, improve the working environment and enhance the work efficiency.

Study on gob-side entry retaining in fully-mechanized longwall with top-coal caving and its application

Based on the engineering background of gob-side entry retaining in fully-mechanized longwall with top coal caving(GER-FLTC) on N2105 working face of Yuwu coal mine, by adopting the methods of theoretical analysis and numerical calculation, the control techniques of surrounding rocks in GER-FLTC working face are studied in this paper. The two main difficulties of stability of surrounding rocks at gob-side retained entry in fully-mechanized longwall working face are the stability control of top coal and control of large deformation of GER-FLTC working face. Interaction mechanical model between roofing and roadside backfilling in GER-FLTC is established and the equations for the calculation of roof-cutting resistance of roadside backfilling are derived. Results of numerical calculation show that the damage zones of top coal can be categorized into the delaminating zone of top coal above the backfilling, tensile damage zone of top coal above the retained roadway and shear damage zone of the upper rib of the solid coal. Stability control of top coal is the critical part to success of GER-FLTC. With consideration of large deformation of surrounding rocks of gob-side retained entry in fully-mechanized longwall, the support technique of‘‘roofing control and wall strengthening'' is proposed where high strength and highly prestressed anchor rods and diagonal tensile anchor cables support are used for top coal, high strength and highly prestressed yielding anchor rod support is used for solid coal and roadside prestressed load-carrying backfilling is constructed by high-water material, in order to maintain the integrity of the top coal, transfer load, high resistance yielding load-carrying of solid coal, roof-cutting of roadside backfilling and support,and to achieve GER-FLTC. Results from this study are successfully applied in engineering practice.

SAFETY PROBLEMS IN FULLY-MECHANIZED TOP-COAL CAVING LONGWALL FACES

The thick-san top-ctal catrig technology has been in use in China for over a decade,and has given rise to siguscant economic efficiendes. Eftorts in reeent years to extend its applica tion to more complex mining conditions, mostly high-gas seams , with or without proneness ofspontaneous combustion. have brought about new safety problems This paper will highlight thefcatures and problems retared with thick-seam top-coal caving systems, compared with conventionai, fully-mecbanized longwall systems , particularly issues retated to methane, spontaneous combustion and dust,and disam the methods and measures to ded with them.

Mechanical analysis on deformation of surrounding rock with road-in packing of gob-side entry retaining in fully-mechanized sub-level caving face

Based on the movement regularity of surrounding rock with road-in packing of gob-side entry retaining in fully-mechanized sub-level caving face(RPGERFCF),the me- chanical model of its surrounding rock was established and the calculating formulas of the deformation of the roof,coal wall and filling body were attained.By the mechanical analy- sis to the deformation of the surrounding rock of RPGERFCF,the major factors influencing the deformation of the surrounding rock were found out and the technologic approaches reduced the deformation and enhanced the stability of the surrounding rock were put for- ward.Consequently,the scientific bases were provided for the stability control of the sur- rounding rock of RPGERFCF.

Reliability Analysis of Production System of Fully-Mechanized Face Based on Output Statistic

Production system of fully-mechanized face is a complicated system composed of human, machine and environment, meantime influenced by various random factors. Analyzing the reliability of system needs plentiful data by means of system faults statistic. Based on the viewpoint that shift output of fully-mechanized face is the result of various random factors’ synthetical influence, the process of how to analyze its reliability was deduced by using probability theory, symbolic statistics theory and systematic reliability theory combined with the concrete case study in this paper. And it has been proved that this method is feasible and valuable.

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.

Analysis and control of hydraulic support stability in fully-mechanized longwall face to the dip with great mining height

The working condition of the hydraulic support in working face can be divided into three kinds of situations in the following： roof fall and col,lapse with cavity, advancing support and supporting. Took single support with four-pole in Iongwall face to the dip as research object, control method was studied to avoid support instability in three situations mentioned above. Based on these researches, the major factors of influencing on support stability and its controlling measures were put forward. According to specific conditions of working face 1215（3）, which is fully-mechanized and Iongwall face to the dip with great mining height in Zhangji Coal Mine, Huainan Mining Group, the effective measures was taken to control supports stability..

Analysis on distribution law of the abutment pressure of the integrated coal beside the road-in packing for gob-side entry retaining in fully-mechanized caving face

The three-dimensional damage constitutive relationship of coal is established and distribution law of the abutment pressure of the integrated coal beside the road-in packing for gob-side entry retaining in fully-mechanized caving face under the effect of given deformation of the main roof is analyzed by the damage mechanics theory. And the relationship between distribution of the abutment pressure and thickness of coal seam is explored. The presented result is of great theoretical significance and practical value to the study on stability control of the surrounding rock of road-in packing for gob-side entry retaining in fully-mechanized caving face.

Feasibility analysis of gob-side entry retaining on a working face in a steep coal seam

Based on the decline in exploitation of coal resources, steep coal seam mining and mining face tensions continue to explore the feasibility analysis of steeply inclined faces in the gob. One of the key factors in utilizing the technology of gob-side entry retaining in steep coal seams is to safely and effectively prevent caving rock blocks from rushing into the gob-side entry by sliding downwards along levels. Using theoretical analysis and field methods, we numerically simulated the mining process on a fully-mechanized face in a steep coal seam. The stress and deformation process of roof strata has been analyzed, and the difficulty of utilizing the technology is considered and combined with practice in a steep working face in Lvshuidong mine. The feasibility of utilizing the technology of gob-side entry retaining in a steep coal seam has been recognised. We propose that roadways along the left lane offshoot body use a speciallymade reinforced steel dense net to build a dense rock face at the lower head. The results show that the lane offshoot branch creates effective roof control, safe conditions for roadway construction workers, and practical application of steeply inclined gob.

Experiment Research of Application of FMCCT in Complex-Condition Coal Seams

The fully-mechanized caving coal technique (FMCCT) is a great technique progress of mining method in thick coal seams in China, and it has succeeded in some suitable condition mines. This paper introduces some technical measures and achieved outcomes in gas and fire precaution and support selection for the use of the fully-mechanized caving coal technique in the complex-condition coal seams based on the practice of Weijiadi Coal Mine, in which the technique is used in the gently inclined extremelythick soft coal seam with the dangers of coal and gas outburst and spontaneous combustion.

Reliability emulation of production system on longwall face

Based on the theory of random process and the characteristic of the functioning of a system component subject to a certain specific probability distribution, emulated the whole process of system production on Iongwall face was emulated, in which the methods of time pace and computer random emulation were adopted. The paper provides an objective basis for the analysis of a mining Iongwall face and the varied lines of effectiveness, machine stoppage rate and coal flow of components and system, and output etc.lt also offers some theories to improve productivity by discussing the application of the transformation plan and optimization of reasonable coal stock capacity, as well as selection of system equipment and matching optimization.

Demonstration Project of Safe and Efficient Mining Operations in Extra-thick Coal Seam

Mineable coal reserves in thick and extra-thick seams account for 44% of the total deposit in China. Fullymechanized top-coal caving technology is a new mining method of safe and efficient underground operations in extra-thick seams in China. The development of fullymechanized top-coal caving technology in China, which was successfully applied in Face 8105 in Tashan Coal Mine, Datong, Shanxi, China, is analyzed in this paper.Studies on movement pattern of top-coal and roof from fully-mechanized top caving face in 14–20 m extra-thick seams have been carried out. A series of key technologies were successfully developed, including strata control technology, equipment for high-efficient and high-recovery top caving operations, and safety guarantee technology for low gas occurrence and high gas emission. As a result, the fully-mechanized top-coal caving Face 8105, with large mining height in Tashan Coal Mine, has achieved a recovery rate of 88.9% and an average equipment operation rate of 92.1%. With coal production of 10.84 Mt in 2011,the demonstration project is a technology and equipment breakthrough for fully-mechanized top-coal caving face in extra-thick coal seams with large mining height.