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.

Noise propagation characteristics of underground equipment in coal mines

On the basis of the survey of underground noise in Jinggezhuang and Donghuantuo mines, Kailuan Group, noise radiation intensity, noise propagation properties and noise frequency-spectrum characteristics of underground equipment were studied at different work conditions. The result indicates that the noise source intensity surpasses the noise limit requirement of 85 dBA completely. Nearly 70% noise sources exceed the noise limit of 90 dBA, and some are over 100 dBA. Noise attenua- tion in semi-free field environment on the ground is significantly different from underground far-field environment of noise source in coal mines. Noise of these regions, where staffs are long and highly concentrated, exceeds 85 dBA, the basic noise limit. The noise frequency-spectrum presents the wideband characteristics. Especially in the main frequency of the language communication 500, 1 000 and 2 000 Hz, the octave band of noise performs obviously.

Lead Exposure and Oxidative Stress in Coal Miners

We aimed to investigate the short-term correlation between blood lead levels and oxidative stress generation in coal miners. The study involved 94 male coal miners from the Velenje Coal mine, arranged into four groups： three groups according to the number of consecutive working days, and a fourth control group. Miners who worked for three consecutive days had higher blood levels of lead and 8-isoprostane than the control group（P 〈 0.001）. Correlation between lead and 8-isoprostane was of medium strength（r = 0.512, P 〈 0.001）. Short-term lead environmental exposure can potentially harmful and should be considered when formulating improvements in working processes.

Statistical analysis of causes and countermeasures to the accidents in coal mines

Statistics and analysis was made in causes, places and proportions about all kinds of disasters and accidents in coal mines of China in resent 50 years. The analysis indicates the emphasis reason that result in the accidents in coal mines are artificial cause explosion of mash gas and coal dust, water flood, fire hazard. The accidents mostly happened on stope which is more often than other places, following by the driving work face. This not only supplies the managers with basic reference about safe administration, but also suggests the countermeasures in reducing accidents： improve the disposition of person, perfect all kinds of rules and regulations, severely investigate, analyze and deal with the accidents.

Physico-chemical and elemental investigation of aqueous leaching of high sulfur coal and mine overburden from Ledo coalfield of Northeast India

Acid mine drainage （AMD） is one of the major problems in high sulfur coal mining areas generating acidic water. The acidic mine water generated contain hazardous elements in varying concentrations. The Northeastern Indian coalfield produces considerable amounts of AMD. The AMD and metal leaching from coal and mine over burden （OB） are the two important naturally occurring processes. In order to know the AMD potential, the aqueous leaching experiment of a few coal and OB samples from the Ledo colliery of the Northeastern coalfield, Mergherita （India）, at different time periods （1, 3, 5, and 8 h） and at different temperatures （25, 45, 65, and 90℃） were performed in the laboratory. The physico- chemical analysis of the aqueous leachates shows the pH, electrical conductivity （EC）, and total dissolved solid （TDS） in the range of 1.62-3.52, 106-2006 μs/cm, and 106-1003 ppm for the raw coal samples respectively. The OB samples produced pH, EC, and TDS in the range of 3.68-6.92, 48.6-480 μs/cm, and 69.5-240 ppm respectively. From the study, it was revealed that the concentrations of major （Si, A1, K, Na, Fe, Ca, Mg）, minor （Mn） and trace/hazardous elements （As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn） considerably change with leaching time as well as with leaching temperature. Out of these elements As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Cr, and Se are of greater environmental importance. Alteration of the physico-chemical structure of the coal and OB samples resulting from leaching was also studied by field emission scanning electron microscope- energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy method. The release of the potentially hazardous elements from the raw coal and OB during leaching time periods to the leachates was detected by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy and ion-chromatographic analyses. The major minerals found in coal and OB are quartz （SiO2）, pyrite （FeS2）, hematite, marcasite, and kaolinite. The association of different functional groups in minerals and their mode of association were studied by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analytical techniques. The present laboratory study will be useful in relating the characteristics of aqueous leaching from coal and mine OB with the natural weathering condition at the coal mine area.

Theoretical analysis and engineering application of controllable shock wave technology for enhancing coalbed methane in soft and low‑permeability coal seams

Coalbed methane(CBM)is a significant factor in triggering coal and gas outburst disaster,while also serving as a clean fuel.With the increasing depth of mining operations,coal seams that exhibit high levels of gas content and low permeability have become increasingly prevalent.While controllable shockwave(CSW)technology has proven effective in enhancing CBM in laboratory settings,there is a lack of reports on its field applications in soft and low-permeability coal seams.This study establishes the governing equations for stress waves induced by CSW.Laplace numerical inversion was employed to analyse the dynamic response of the coal seam during CSW antireflection.Additionally,quantitative calculations were performed for the crushed zone,fracture zone,and effective CSW influence range,which guided the selection of field test parameters.The results of the field test unveiled a substantial improvement in the gas permeability coefficient,the average rate of pure methane flowrate,and the mean gas flowrate within a 10 m radius of the antireflection borehole.These enhancements were notable,showing increases of 3 times,13.72 times,and 11.48 times,respectively.Furthermore,the field test performed on the CSW antireflection gas extraction hole cluster demonstrated a noticeable improvement in CBM extraction.After antireflection,the maximum peak gas concentration and maximum peak pure methane flow reached 71.2%and 2.59 m^(3)/min,respectively.These findings will offer valuable guidance for the application of CSW antireflection technology in soft and low-permeability coal seams.

Composition and mode of occurrence of minerals in Late Permian coals from Zhenxiong County,northeastern Yunnan,China

Minerals in the Late Permian coals from the Niuchang-Yigu mining area,Zhenxiong County,northeastern Yunnan,China,were investigated using optical microscopy and low temperature ashing plus X-ray diffraction(LTA?XRD).The results showed that minerals in the coal LTAs are mainly quartz,kaolinite,chamosite,mixed-layer illite/smectite(I/S),pyrite,and calcite,with trace amounts of marcasite,dolomite,and bassanite.The authigenic quartz generally occurs in collodetrinite or as a filling in cleats or cell cavities.This silica was mainly derived from aqueous solutions produced by the weathering of basaltic rocks in the Kangdian Upland and from hydrothermal fluids.The presence of b-quartz paramorph grains in collodetrinite probably indicates that these grains were detrital and came from a volcanic ash.Clay minerals are generally embedded in collodetrinite and occur as cell-fillings.Pyrite occurs as framboidal,anhedral,and euhedral grains and a cell-filling.The coals are high in pyrite and the high pyrite content probably results from seawater invading during the stage of peat accumulation.Calcite generally occurs as vein-fillings,indicating an epigenetic origin.

Geochemistry of Mercury in the Permian Tectonically Deformed Coals from Peigou Mine, Xinmi Coalfield, China

As the mercury emitted from coal combustion can lead to serious environmental issues, researchers pay more attention to the content, distribution and occurrence of mercury in coal. In this paper, the content, distribution, and occurrence of mercury in the Permian tectonically deformed coals from Peigou Mine, Xinmi coalfield, Henan Province were investigated. A total of 18 bench samples were taken from No.2-1 coals seam in Peigou Mine, including 15 coal bench samples, two roofs and one floor. The mercury concentration, mineral composition, and main inorganic element content of 18 samples were determined by DMA-80 direct mercury analyzer, XRD, and XRF respectively. The results show that the mercury content ranges from 0.047 ppm to 0.643 ppm, with an average of 0.244 ppm. Though the coal seam has turned into typical tectonically deformed coal by the strong tectonic destruction and plastic deformation, the vertical distribution of mercury has remarkable heterogeneity in coal seam section. By the analysis of correlation between mercury and the main inorganic elements and the mineral composition in coal, we infer that majority of mercury mainly relates to pyrite or kaolinite.

Current status and technical challenges of C_(2)storage in coal seams and enhanced coalbed methane recovery:an overview

In the past two decades,research on C_(2)storage in coal seams and simultaneously enhanced coalbed methane recovery(ECBM)has attracted a lot of attention due to its win–win effect between greenhouse gas(C_(2))emission reduction and coalbed methane recovery enhancement.This paper presents an overview on the current status of research on C_(2)-ECBM in the past two decades,which involves C_(2)storage capacity evaluations,laboratory investigations,modelings and pilot tests.The current status shows that we have made great progress in the ECBM technology study,especially in the understanding of the ECBM mechanisms.However,there still have many technical challenges,such as the definition of unmineable coal seams for C_(2)storage capacity evaluation and storage site characterization,methods for C_(2)injectivity enhancement,etc.The low injectivity of coal seams and injectivity loss with C_(2)injection are the major technique challenges of ECBM.We also search several ways to promote the advancement of ECBM technology in the present stage,such as integrating ECBM with hydraulic fracturing,using a gas mixture instead of pure C_(2)for injection into coal seams and the application of ECBM to underground coal mines.

Research of the electrical anisotropic characteristics of water-conducting fractured zones in coal seams

Water flooding disasters are one of the five natural coal-mining disasters that threaten the lives of coal miners. The main causes of this flooding are water-conducting fractured zones within coal seams. However, when resistivity methods are used to detect water-conducting fractured zones in coal seams, incorrect conclusions can be drawn because of electrical anisotropy within the water-conducting fractured zones. We present, in this paper, a new geo-electrical model based on the geology of water-conducting fractured zones in coal seams. Factors that influence electrical anisotropy were analyzed, including formation water resistivity, porosity, fracture density, and fracture surface roughness, pressure, and dip angle. Numerical simulation was used to evaluate the proposed electrical method. The results demonstrate a closed relationship between the shape of apparent resistivity and the strike and dip of a fracture. Hence, the findings of this paper provide a practical resistivity method for coal-mining production.

The Trace Elements are Bounded by Organic Functional Groups in Coal:A Studying Result Based on FTIR Analysis

The relationship between trace elements in coal and organic functional groups of coal, also some of aromatic structure, was investigated by using curve fitting of infrared spectra. Cluster analysis was also performed according to the degree of affinity of organic groups to the trace elements. The results show that there is a possibility that trace elements, especially LREE, were bound to peripheral organic functional groups of middle rank coal macromolecule. The most possible functional group that binds trace element is the hydroxyl, and to the less degree, the asymmetric -CH3 and 〉CH2 stretching, -CH3 stretching, etc. The degree of affinity of trace elements to different functional groups varies. The tendency obeys the natural structural changing law of trace elements-- the periodic law. The deviation of some trace elements from this regular trend is attributed to the deviation of intrinsic ＂confusion degree＂ （conventional molar entropy） of the matter system of coal basin, which is affected by the inner and outer factors during the evolution.

Characteristics and geological genesis of pyrites in coal of Huainan

Using optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, revealed the content of pyrite and the microscopic or sub-microscopic occurrence features of pyrite in coal of Huainan. The samples of this study are from four different mines in Huainan coal field. The results show that, in general, the coal of Huainan is low sulfur coal, but the con- tent of pyrite in Guqiao mine is relatively higher. The occurrence types of pyrite in coal mainly include： strawberry ball pyrites, massive pyrites, tuberculoid pyrite and pyrite filling in cracks or joints. After analysis based on three indicating facies parameters IAA, IS and/R, the reason for the higher level of pyrite component is that the deoxidization of swamp wa- ter is stronger, salinity is greater and the hydrodynamic is bad. The strawberry ball pyrites found in Guqiao mostly formed in the syngenesis stage. The spherical raspberry pyrites symbiotic with clay minerals was formed due to the reaction of H2S with Fe in the grid of silicate crystal.

Relationship between Thermal Metamorphism of Coal and the Periodic Variation Law of Geochemical Behavior of Elements:A Study on the C2 Coal Seam in the Fengfeng Mining Area of the Handan Coalfield in Hebei,China

This study highlights the response of the periodic variation of the geochemical behavior of elements to the thermal metamorphism of coal by considering the differentiation mode and differentiation degree of elements of the C2 coal seam in the Fengfeng mining area of the Handan Coalfield in Hebei,China.The periodic variation of the geochemical behavior of elements was observed to change towards a certain direction as the degree of metamorphism of a geological body increased.Based on the coincidence degree(or similarity degree)between the geochemical behavior of elements and periodic variation of elements,the 57 elements in this study were divided into two levels.The periodic variation of the geochemical behavior of first-level elements was largely synchronous with that of their first ionization energy,suggesting that only one differentiation mode exists and the elements are mainly inorganically associated.The differentiation mode of the second-level elements deviated to a certain extent from their first ionization energy;the larger the deviation,the more complicated and diverse was the differentiation mode.Among the second-level elements,the grade of coal metamorphism has evident and intuitive effects on the proportion of elements with particular structural features,such as the 4q+3 type of elements and the odd-odd elements.In addition,the distribution of elements in organic and inorganic matter within coal are subject to the structural features of the elements.The differentiation mode and differentiation intensity of elements could be characterized by the hierarchical parameter and differentiation intensity.The hierarchical parameter and differentiation intensity of certain elements showed a good positive or negative correlation with R_(max) in coal.The 57 elements in this study were quantitatively ordered according to the degree of magmatic hydrothermal fluid influence and thermal metamorphism of coal through graphs depicting the goodness of fit,correlation coefficient with R_(max),and differentiation intensity.The results of this study are consistent with the results of previous field research,illustrating the scientific significance and application value of this study on the periodic variation of the geochemical behavior of elements.

Calculation of gas content in coal seam influenced by in-situ stress grads and ground temperature

On the basis of the analysis of coal bed gas pressure in deep mine, and the coal bed permeability ( k ) and the characteristic of adsorption parameter ( b ) changing with temperature, the author puts forward a new calculating method of gas content in coal seam influenced by in situ stress grads and ground temperature. At the same time, the contrast of the measuring results of coal bed gas pressure with the computing results of coal bed gas pressure and gas content in coal seam in theory indicate that the computing method can well reflect the authenticity of gas content in coal seam,and will further perfect the computing method of gas content in coal seam in theory,and have important value in theory on analyzing gas content in coal seam and forecasting distribution law of gas content in coal seam in deep mine.

Geochemical anomaly and the causes of transition metal accumulations in late Permian coal from the eastern Yunnan-western Guizhou region

The concentration of 39 trace elements in coal from the late Permian taken from the eastern Yunnan-western Guizhou region was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. It was found that the mean content of Ti, V, Cr, Mo, Co, Ni, Y, and Zr is higher than the national average. The occurrence of Mn, Ni, and Co in the different coalfields is distinctly different. Most of the enriched transition metal elements exist mainly as inorganic minerals. In the Zhina coalfield, Co, Ni, and Nb are primarily associated with sulfur. Mn, Cs, and Mo are mostly sulfides. Almost all Co was organic and a significant part of the Ni is also organic in the Liupanshui coalfield. Cs, Co, and Ni are related to sulfur in the coal taken from eastern Yunnan. Carbonate is the main form of Mn in the coal from eastern Yunnan and the Liupanshui coalfield. Ti is the oxide in the coal samples where Ti is enriched. Zr is in the form of zircon in the samples where Zr is enriched. The situation for most of the transition metal elements is consistent with terrestrial genesis. Coal seams are universally influenced by the sea. The strongly seawater effected peat bog with a reductive and alkaline environment favors the relative enrichment of Mn. A reducing environment is conducive to transition metal element enrichment.

Applications of Remote Sensing Techniques in Coal Geology

Through applied researches, the regularity of thermal infrared radiation of the coal seams has been found, a model of thermal radiation of the coal seams established, and the internal relations of the information extracted from remote sensing images with coal seams and coal measures revealed. Through a series of complete tests of remote sensing techniques such as multi-level (space, aerial and ground) synchronous remote-sensing and multi-directional, multiband and multitemporal remote sensing, the optimal procedure for applications of remote sensing techniques in coal geology has been determined. The theories and methods established in the applied researches have yielded apparent economic results and social benefits in respect to coal field prediction, coal reconnaissance, coal geological surveys and detection of geological hazards in coal mines.

THE REMOTE SENSING IN COAL GEOLOGY——A study on detection of coal spontanous burning by remote sensing in the coal fields in the north of China

The spontaneous burning has been lasting for thousands of years in the coal fields in the north of China. It spreads from the west (Tianshan coal field) to the east (Huolinhe coal field). Its E-W extension is up to 3750km, concentrating in N35°toN45°, its vertical depth up to 260m, and the surface temprature locally up to 270℃. Annually, it burns out 0, 250-300 million tones of coal, causing economic loss equivalent to 2-3 billion R.M.B. Yuan.It destroies coal resources and causes hazards in coal mines. In order to locate the extent and the direction in coal burning areas, the remote sensing technique has heen used and has produced an obvious benefit.

Major Changes in Coal Industry

In recent years, facing the unprecedented difficulties andchallenges such as fuel price increase, supply tension of powercoal and increasing pressure of environmental protection, thesurvival of power enterprises is subjected to certain squeeze.Theimpactofcoalindustryonthepowerindustryisincreasing.Since the foundation of the new China, coal is prominentin China's primary energy production and consumption. Inrecent years, with the continuing rise of the international oilprice, coal becomes more important i...

Structural motion of water-resisting key strata lying on overburden

Water-preserved mining is one of the important parts of the ‘Green Mining’ technological system. The purpose of wa-ter-preserved mining is to prevent water from bursting out in coal mines and thus to protect water resources. The principle of wa-ter-resisting key strata (WKS) is proposed to establish a model capable of guiding and developing water-preserved mining technol-ogy. The experimental model of the WKS is constructed following requirements of the Data Image Correlative Method (DICM). Five experimental schemes are designed according to different combined patterns of the WKS. The water-resisting performance of the WKS is analyzed from observation of structural stability. All of them provide referential value for water-preserved mining.

The Production and Release of CFCs from Coal Combustion

The destruction of the ozone layer in the atmosphere caused by industriallysynthesized CFCs has aroused greatest concerns from the international society, but the CFCs formedfrom burning of coal containing fluorine have not been recognized by the world yet. In the presentstudy, we condensed the gas through cold traps and used the GC-MS to measure the gas composition,and found that the content of CFC-12 in the smog from coal combustion was significantly higher thanthe background value of the local atmosphere. This proves that CFC- 12 is formed in the process ofcoal combustion. This paper discusses a new source of non-synthesized CFCs.