Research on Full Space Transient Electro-magnetism Technique for Detecting Aqueous Structures in Coal Mines

Based on the transmitting theory of "smoke ring effect", the transient electromagnetism technique was used in coal mines to detect abnormal areas of aquiferous structures in both roofs and floors of coal seams and in front of excavated roadways. Survey devices, working methods and techniques as well as data processing and interpretation are discussed systematically. In addition, the direction of mini-wireframe emission electromagnetic wave of the full space transient electromagnetism technique was verified by an underground borehole for water detection and drainage. The result indicates that this technique can detect both horizontal and vertical development rules of abnormal water bodies to a certain depth below the floor of coal seams and can also detect the abnormal, low resistance water bodies within a certain distance of roofs. Furthermore, it can detect such abnormal bodies in ahead of the excavated roadway front. Limited by the underground environment, the full space transient electromagnetism technique can detect to a depth of only 120 m or so.

Research on Geological Structure Mark of Coal and Gas Outbursts in Pingdingshan Mining Area

Based on the study of regional displaying rules of coal and gas outburst controlled by geological structure in Pingdingshan mining area, the geological structure features in outburst sites were investigated emphatically. The combination type, orientation and least seam thickness in outburst sites were put forward. This research provides a geological mark for forecasting gas outbursts in deep mining.

Evaluation of Mine Geological Environment of Guqiao Coalmine

The geological environment is important for the development of coal enterprises. In the Guqiao coalmine, the information of coal mining subsidence, terrain landform, coal gangue utilization, mine water treatment and several on-site investigations have been analyzed. It holds that its geological environment can be evaluated from three aspects, i.e., geological disasters, terrain and landform destruction, and influence on water and soil environment. The results show that mining activities have serious impacts on geological disasters and terrain landform, while lighter impacts on the water and soil environment. According to the research results, a set of corresponding governance strategies are given. The findings can provide theoretical support for the geological environmental protection and restoration of the Guqiao coalmine.

APPLICATION OF NEURAL NETWORK WITH MULTI-HIERARCHIC STRUCTURE TO EVALUATE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COAL MINES

The neural network with multi hierarchic structure is provided in this paper to evaluate sustainable development of the coal mines based on analyzing its effect factors. The whole evaluating system is composed of 5 neural networks.The feasibility of this method has been proved by case study. This study will provide a scientfic and theoretic foundation for evaluating the sustainable development of coal mines.

Structure instability forecasting and analysis of giant rock pillars in steeply dipping thick coal seams

Structure stability analysis of rock masses is essential for forecasting catastrophic structure failure in coal seam mining. Steeply dipping thick coal seams （SDTCS） are common in the Urumqi coalfield, and some dynamical hazards such as roof collapse and mining-induced seismicity occur frequently in the coal mines. The cause of these events is mainly structure instability in giant rock pillars sand- wiched between SDTCS. Developing methods to predict these events is important for safe mining in such a complex environment. This study focuses on understanding the structural mechanics model of a giant rock pillar and presents a viewpoint of the stability of a trend sphenoid fractured beam （TSFB）. Some stability index parameters such as failure surface dips were measured, and most dips were observed to be between 46° and 51°. We used a digital panoramic borehole monitoring system to measure the TSFB＇s height （△H）, which varied from 56.37 to 60.50 m. Next, FLAC^3D was used to model the distribution and evolution of vertical displacement in the giant rock pillars; the results confirmed the existence of a TSFB structure. Finally, we investigated the acoustic emission （AE） energy accumulation rate and observed that the rate commonly ranged from 20 to 40 kJ/min. The AE energy accumulation rate could be used to anticipate impeding seismic events related to structure failure. The results presented provide a useful approach for forecasting catastrophic events related to structure instability and for developing hazard prevention technology for mining in SDTCS.

A review of the geomechanics aspects of a double fatality coal burst at Austar Colliery in NSW,Australia in April 2014

A coal burst occurred on 15 April, 2014 at the Austar Coal Mine, located west of Newcastle, NSW,Australia. The burst resulted in fatal injuries to two men working as part of the mining crew at the development face. At the time, a continuous miner was being used to mine a longwall development gate road through heavily structured coal, at a depth of approximately 550 m. A number of pre-cursor bumps had occurred on previous shifts, emanating from the coal ribs of the roadway, in proximity to the coal face.This paper reviews the geological, geotechnical and mining conditions and circumstances leading up to the coal burst event; and presents and discusses the available evidence and possible interpretations relating to the geomechanical behaviour mechanisms that may have been critical factors in this incident. The paper also discusses some key technical and operational considerations of ground support systems and mining practices and strategies needed for operating in such conditions in the future.

Behaviors of overlying strata in extra-thick coal seams using top-coalcaving method

Accidents such as support failure and excessive deformation of roadways due to drastic changes in strata behaviors are frequently reported when mining the extra-thick coal seams Nos.3e5 in Datong coal mine with top-coal caving method,which significantly hampers the mine's normal production.To understand the mechanism of strata failure,this paper presented a structure evolution model with respect to strata behaviors.Then the behaviors of strata overlying the extra-thick coal seams were studied with the combined method of theoretical analysis,physical simulation,and field measurement.The results show that the key strata,which are usually thick-hard strata,play an important role in overlying movement and may influence the mining-induced strata behaviors in the working face using top-coal caving method.The structural model of far-field key strata presents a 'masonry beam' type structure when'horizontal O-X' breakage type happens.The rotational motion of the block imposed radial compressive stress on the surrounding rock mass of the roadway.This can induce excessive deformation of roadway near the goaf.Besides,this paper proposed a pre-control technology for the hard roof based on fracture holes and underground roof pre-splitting.It could effectively reduce stress concentration and release the accumulated energy of the strata,when mining underground coal resources with top-coal caving method.

Deformation and failure of a high-steep slope induced by multi-layer coal mining

During underground mining,accurate revelation on the deformation and failure mechanisms of a high-steep slope under multi-layer mining conditions facilitates the prevention and control of geological disasters in mines.Numerical simulation based on discrete element theory can be used to explore the characteristics and mechanism of action of deformation and failure of a slope under complex geological and multi-layer mining conditions.By utilising PFC2 D(particle flow code) software,the deformation and failure characteristics of a high-steep slope in Faer Coal Mine in Guizhou Province,China were investigated.Additionally,the mechanism of influence of different numbers of mining layers on the deformation and failure of the high and steep slope was elucidated.The result showed that after the goaf passed by the slope toe,multi-layer mining aggravated the subsidence and deformation of the slope toe:the slope toppled forward as it sank.The toppling of the slope changed the slope structures:the strata in the front of the slope were transformed from anti-dip to down-dip features.Extruded by collapsedtoppled rock mass,the slope toe and the rock mass located in the lower part of the slope toe generally exhibited a locking effect on the slope.Multi-layer mining degraded the overall stability of the slope,in that the total displacement of the slope was much greater than the total mining thickness of the coal seams.Based on the aforementioned research,ideas for preventing and controlling geological disasters during mining operations under a high-steep slope were proposed.

Main geological and mining factors affecting ground cracks induced by underground coal mining in Shanxi Province, China

As one of the largest coal-rich provinces in China,Shanxi has extensive underground coal-mining operations.These operations have caused numerous ground cracks and substantial environmental damage.To study the main geological and mining factors influencing mining-related ground cracks in Shanxi,a detailed investigation was conducted on 13 mining-induced surface cracks in Shanxi.Based on the results,the degrees of damage at the study sites were empirically classified into serious,moderate,and minor,and the influential geological and mining factors(e.g.,proportions of loess and sandstone in the mining depth,ratio of rock thickness to mining thickness,and ground slope)were discussed.According to the analysis results,three factors(proportion of loess,ratio of rock thickness to mining thickness,and ground slope)play a decisive role in ground cracks and can be respectively considered as the critical material,mechanical,and geometric conditions for the occurrence of mining surface disasters.Together,these three factors have a strong influence on the occurrence of serious discontinuous ground deformation.The results can be applied to help prevent and control ground damage caused by coal mining.The findings also provide a direct reference for predicting and eliminating hidden ground hazards in mining areas.

Characteristics and stability of slope movement response to underground mining of shallow coal seams away from gullies

Underground pressure is abnormal during mining of shallow coal seams under gullies. We studied gully slope movements, subject to underground mining, with physical simulation and theoretical analysis. The rules disclose that the slope rock slides horizontally in response to mining in the direction of gullies and rotates reversely with the appearance of a polygon block in mining away from gullies. We focused our attention on the case of mining away from a gully. We built a mechanical model in terms of a polygon block hinged structure and investigated the variation of horizontal thrust and shear force at the hinged point in relation to the rotation angle under different fragmentations. The Sliding-Rotation instability conditions of the polygon block hinged structure are presented based on the analyses of sliding instability and rotation instability. These results can serve as a theoretical guide for roof control during mining away from gullies in a coalfield defined by gullies.

Application of highwall mining system in weak geological condition

Almost all the coal is produced from open cut mines in Indonesia. As a consequence of open cut mine application, a great deal of coal is left out in the highwalls of the mined-out pits. Highwall mining systems can be used to recover this coal. The use of highwall mining systems has increasingly come into play in the US and Australia. However, it is not common in Indonesia. Moreover, Indonesia coal measure is categorized as weak geological condition. Some problems are likely to arise during the application of the highwall mining system for example instability of openings and highwalls due to the roof and pillar failures. Therefore, study of highwall mining system application in Indonesia is needed in order to increase the recovery rate of coal mining in Indonesia. This paper described the characteristics of the highwa!l mining system and discussed the appropriate highwall mining system application in weak geological condition, Indonesia. From the results of a series of laboratory tests and numerical analyses, it can be concluded that the stability of pillars and mine openings in auger mining systems is much higher than that in CHM and an auger mining system is suitable for such as very weak/poor strata conditions. Moreover, the application of backfilling system is very effective for improvement of the stability of pillar and openings.

Influence of deep magma-induced thermal effects on the regional gas outburst risk of coal seams

The thermal effect caused by deep magma intrusion can not only accelerate the metamorphism of coal body,but also bring additional thermal field that changes the mechanical environment of coal seams,thereby affecting the permeability of coal seams.Different from shallow coal resources,deep coal resources are in a mechanical environment characterized by limited stress and strain.Thus,the thermal effect has a more significant influence on the distribution and permeability characteristics of deep coal seams.In this study,the evolution history of highly metamorphic coal seams in Yangquan mining area was analyzed,and the main effect of magmatic activity on coal seams was obtained.Based on the determined vitrinite reflectance data of typical mines in Yangquan mining area,the maximum paleotemperature was calculated by adopting the Barker’s method.Furthermore,the paleotemperature distribution in Yangquan mining area was summarized,and its relationship with the metamorphic degree was acquired.Then,a new permeability model considering the thermal strain was proposed to analyze the permeability evolution in deep coal seams at different ground temperatures.Finally,through a combination of the results of gas pressure and outburst number in Sijiazhuang Mine,Yangquan No.5 Mine and Xinjing Mine,the influence of ground temperature on the gas outburst risk in Yangquan mining area was explored.The following conclusions were drawn:The maximum paleotemperature in Yangquan area can be 303C.In addition,the paleotemperature in the south is higher than that in the north of Yangquan mining area.The various temperatures at different depths bring about different degrees of thermal stress to different coal seams,leading to different strains.Under the fixed displacement boundary conditions in the deep,the coal seam folds and bends to varying degrees.Moreover,the difference in the ground temperature raises the a value of coal seams and lowers the permeability,which promotes the formation of gas-rich zones and increases the risk of coal seam outburst.The research results can help mines to make proper gas disaster prevention plan for different zones.

Research on the sudden changes and the controlling factors of deep coal mining conditions

It was illustrated that the mining conditions inducing disasters changed with depth both in regularity of gradual and sudden change.The sudden change depth for different disaster conditions are different and controlled by different factors.The high temperature and its change with depth are mainly controlled by strata structures and rock heat conductiv- ity property,the high rock stress and dynamical engineering disasters and their change with depth are mainly controlled by tectonic conditions,roof strata rock property and deep rock mechanical property,coal mine water disasters and their change with depth are mainly con- trolled by rock mechanical property of coal seam floor and regional groundwater circulation conditions,gas disaster conditions and their change with depth are mainly controlled by buried conditions of coal seam and opening conditions of geological structures.It is men- tioned that the key point for the control of deep coal mining disaster is to clearly understand the sudden change depth of different factors causing disasters.

Reliability analysis on bolt support structure of coal roadway under the influence of mining

Based on the features of the serious deformation of coal roadway,many random variables of the mechanics of the surrounding rocks and the influence of mining, the reliability analysis model of the support structure of coal roadway under the influence of mining is established,and the calculating formulas of reliability of the support structure is obtained with the engineering structure reliability theory. And the reliability is calculated based on the method of Monte Carlo to the coal roadway which is exampled on the influence of mining or not. The relationship between support parameters and reliability, the mining influence coefficients and reliability is established, which provides theory foundations for the design of the coal roadway bolt support.

The stress state of geological structure and mining dynamic disaster in Fuxin basin

Further evidences show that most mining dynamic disasters are mainly oc- curred nearby NNE and near SN geological structures.In-situ stress measurement in Fuxin basin shows that the orientation of major compressed stress is near EW.At this stress field,geological structures with deferent strike have deferent stress state and dis- place mode.NNE and near SN geological structures are compressed to thrust and come into being high stress zone.NWW and NEE geological structures are tensile to separate and not prone to being low stress zone.NW structure is intervenient of them.So NEE and near SN structures are easy to occurre mining dynamic disasters and NWW and NEE structures is 'safety' comparatively.The mining dynamic disaster is controlled by stress state of geologic structure,which is determined by its strike.

The influence of intensity and properties of tectonic stress on the process of coalification

Through the research on stress metamorphism character of the II1 coal seam in Ludian gliding structure, the stress effecting factors of metamorphism and hydrocarbon generation process of tectonic coal were studied. It is shown that different tectonic stress has different coal evolution effects. Compared with tensional stress, compressive stress, which has apparent anisotropic characteristics, has greater stimulative effect against the increase of coal metamorphic degree, the abscission of functional group and side chains of basic structural unit, and the formation of gas primarily composed of methane.

A study of law of coal-and-gas outburst ＆ its controlling factors in Kailuan Mine Area, China

On basis of an analysis of the geological condition, law of gas outburst and materials about coal-and-gas outburst, this paper summarized the characteristics associated with coal-and-gas outburst of Zhaogezhuang Mine and studied the factors controlling coal-and-gas outburst such as stress, coal structure and gas pressure, content of gas. Then, based on a comparison of effects of in-situ stresses, coal structure and gas on coal-and-gas outburst of Zhaogezhuang Mine, the paper concludes that the major geological factors that control coal-and-gas outburst of Zhaogezhuang Mine are in-situ stresses and coal structure.

FEATURES AND MINING GEOLOGY SIGNIFICANCES OF THE COAL SEAM SLIP FOLD STRUCTURE IN XU-HUAI DISTRICT

In the analysis of some in-seam slip fold structures in the area of Xuzhou and Huaibei Districta it is noted that there exist some in-seam roof and footwall rock layers extremely incompatible to the existence of coal seams. Some of them are tbe slip fold structures that are wedged into coal seam by folding, but all of them are passively generated by in-seam shearing forces. In this paper, a discussion is put forward of the damage to coal seams by slip folds and the coal mining significance resulted from the study of slip fold structures.

Research on the Distribution Law and Influencing Factors of Ground Temperature in Xutuan Coal Mine

Taking the Xutuan coal mine as an example, based on the temperature measurement data, combined with the geological background of the study area, this paper analyzes the distribution, thermal evolution, formation mechanism and influencing factors of the deep geothermal field in the study area. Combined with previous research results and field temperature measurement data, the research results show that the temperature gradient of Xutuan coal mine varies in the range of 2.65°C/hm - 3.15°C/hm, most of which are 1.6°C/hm - 3.0°C/hm, which belongs to the normal area with relatively stable geothermal gradient. The northern part of the study area is more developed than the southern part. The minimum geothermal gradient is 2.65°C/hm, and the geothermal gradient gradually increases from north to south;the geothermal gradient is negatively correlated with the buried depth within a certain depth range. Roughly taking the depth of 200 - 350 m as the dividing line, the temperature increases with the increase of depth, showing a good linear trend and the characteristics of conductive heating. The main influencing factor of the geothermal field in the study area is the geological structure, which is greatly affected by the fault structure. Followed by lithological changes and groundwater activities, the flow of the four waters has a certain control effect on the shallow geothermal field distribution.

The geomechanics of Shenhua carbon dioxide capture and storage(CCS) demonstration project in Ordos Basin,China

Carbon dioxide(CO2) capture and storage(CCS) is considered widely as one of promising options for CO2emissions reduction,especially for those countries with coal-dominant energy mix like China.Injecting and storing a huge volume of CO2in deep formations are likely to cause a series of geomechanical issues,including ground surface uplift,damage of caprock integrity,and fault reactivation.The Shenhua CCS demonstration project in Ordos Basin,China,is the first and the largest full-chain saline aquifer storage project of CO2in Asia.The injection started in 2010 and ended in 2015.during which totally 0.3 million tonnes(Mt) CO2was injected.The project is unique in which CO2was injected into 18 sandstone formations simultaneously and the overlying coal seams will be mined after the injection stopped in 2015.Hence,intense geomechanical studies and monitoring works have been conducted in recent years,including possible damage resulting from the temperature difference between injected CO2and formations,injection induced stress and deformation change,potential failure mode and safety factor,interaction between coal mining and CO2geological storage,determination of injection pressure limit,and surface monitoring by the interferometric synthetic aperture radar(InSAR) technology.In this paper,we first described the background and its geological conditions of the Shenhua CCS demonstration project.Then,we gave an introduction to the coupled thermo-hydro-mechano-chemical(THMC) processes in CO2geological storage,and mapped the key geomechanical issues into the THMC processes accordingly.Next,we proposed a generalized geomechanical research flowchart for CO2geological storage projects.After that,we addressed and discussed some typical geomechanical issues,including design of injection pressure limit.CO2injection induced near-field damage,and interaction between CO2geological storage and coal mining,in the Shenhua CCS demonstration project.Finally,we concluded some insights to this CCS project.