Measurement of overburden failure zones in close-multiple coal seams mining

In the Kaiping Coal field,mining of five coal seams,located within 80 m in the Kailuan Group,#5,#7,#8,#9 and#12 coal seam,is difficult due to small interburden thickness,concentrated stress distributions,high coal seam metamorphism,and complex geological conditions.By using the ZTR12 geological penetration radar(GPR)survey combined with borehole observations,the overburden caving due to mining of the five coals seams was measured.The development characteristics of full-cover rock fractures after mining were obtained from the GPR scan,which provides a measurement basis for the control of rock strata in close multiple coal seam mining.For the first time,it was found that the overburden caving pattern shows a periodic triangular caved characteristic.Furthermore,it is proposed that an upright triangular collapsed pile masonry and an inverted triangular with larger fragments piled up alternately appear in the lower gob.The research results show that the roof structure formed in the gob area can support the key overlying strata,which is beneficial to ensure the integrity and stability of the upper coal seams in multiple-seam mining of close coal seams.

Layout and support design of a coal roadway in ultra-close multiple-seams

A roadway within ultra-close multiple-seams(RUCMSs) is one of the most difficult supported coal roadways to deal with in underground coal mines. This is usually due to the unknown stress distributions, improper roadway layout, and unreasonable support parameters. In order to solve this support problem and effectively save RUCMSs from frequent and abrupt disasters(such as serious deformation of the surrounding rock, roof cave ins, and coal side collapse), a comprehensive method is adopted here which includes theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and field monitoring. A mechanical model was constructed to determine the stress distribution in the coal pillar after two sides of a longwall panel had been mined. Based on this model, the horizontal, vertical, and tangential stress equations for the plane below the floor of the upper-left coal pillar were deduced. In addition, a typical coal mine(the Jinggonger colliery, located in Shuozhou city, Shanxi province, China) with an average distance between its 9# and 11# coal seams of less than 8.0 was chosen to conduct research on the proper layout and reasonable support required for a typical coal roadway located within coal seam 11#. Using FLAC3D(Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua in 3-Dimensions) numerical software, eight schemes were designed with different horizontal distances(d) between the center lines of the coal pillar and the roadway in the lower coal seam(RLCS). The simulations and detailed analysis indicate that the proper distances required are between 22.5 and 27.5 m. A total of 20 simulation schemes were used to investigate the factors influencing the support provided by the key bolts(bolt length, spacing, distance between two rows, installation angle, and pre-tightening force). The results were analyzed and used to determine reasonable values for the support parameters. Field results show that the stability and strength of the RLCS can be effectively safeguarded using a combination of researched stress distribution characteristics, proper layout of the RLCS, and correct support parameters.

Evaluation of gas production from multiple coal seams： A simulation study and economics

Gas production from multiple coal seams has become common practice in many coal basins around the world. Although gas production rates are typically enhanced, the economic viability of such practice is not well studied. In order to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of multiple coal seams production, reservoir simulation integrated with economics modelling was performed to study the effect of important reservoir properties of the secondary coal seam on production and economic performance using both vertical and horizontal wells. The results demonstrated that multiple seam gas production of using both vertical and horizontal wells have competitive advantage over single layer production under most scenarios. Gas content and permeability of the secondary coal seam are the most important reservoir properties that have impact on the economic feasibility of multiple seam gas production. The comparison of vertical well and horizontal well performance showed that horizontal well is more economically attractive for both single well and gas field. Moreover, wellhead price is the most sensitive to the economic performance, followed by operating costs and government subsidy. Although the results of reservoir simulation combined with economic analysis are subject to assumptions, multiple seam gas production is more likely to maintain profitability compared with single layer production.

Unanticipated multiple seam stresses from pillar systems behaving as pseudo gob–case histories

Underground coal mining in the U.S. is conducted in numerous regions where previous workings exist above and/or below an actively mined seam. Miners know that overlying or underlying fully extracted coal areas, also known as gob regions, can result in abutment stresses that affect the active mining. If there was no full extraction, and the past mining consists entirely of intact pillars, the stresses on the active seam are usually minimal. However, experience has shown that in some situations there has been sufficient yielding in overlying or underlying pillar systems to cause stress transfer to the adjoining larger pillars or barriers, which in turn, transfer significant stresses onto the workings of the active seam. In other words, the overlying or underlying pillar system behaves as a ‘‘pseudo gob." The presence of a pseudo gob is often unexpected, and the consequences can be severe. This paper presents several case histories, summarized briefly below, that illustrate pseudo gob phenomenon:(1) pillar rib degradation at a West Virginia mine at 335 m depth that contributed to a rib roll fatality,(2) pillar rib deterioration at a Western Kentucky mine at 175 m depth that required pillar size adjustment and installation of supplemental bolting,(3) roof deterioration at an eastern Kentucky mine at 400 m depth that stopped mine advance and required redirecting the section development,(4) coal burst on development at an eastern Kentucky mine at 520 m depth that had no nearby pillar recovery, and(5) coal burst on development at a West Virginia mine at the relatively shallow depth of 335 m that also had no nearby pillar recovery. The paper provides guidance so that when an operation encounters a potential pseudo gob stress interaction the hazard can be mitigated based on an understanding of the mechanism encountered.

A case study of multi-seam coal mine entry stability analysis with strength reduction method

In this paper,the advantage of using numerical models with the strength reduction method(SRM) to evaluate entry stability in complex multiple-seam conditions is demonstrated.A coal mine under variable topography from the Central Appalachian region is used as a case study.At this mine,unexpected roof conditions were encountered during development below previously mined panels.Stress mapping and observation of ground conditions were used to quantify the success of entry support systems in three room-and-pillar panels.Numerical model analyses were initially conducted to estimate the stresses induced by the multiple-seam mining at the locations of the affected entries.The SRM was used to quantify the stability factor of the supported roof of the entries at selected locations.The SRM-calculated stability factors were compared with observations made during the site visits,and the results demonstrate that the SRM adequately identifies the unexpected roof conditions in this complex case.It is concluded that the SRM can be used to effectively evaluate the likely success of roof supports and the stability condition of entries in coal mines.

Coal bursts that occur during development: A rock mechanics enigma

Coal bursts are typically associated with highly stressed coal.Most bursts occur during retreat mining(longwall mining or pillar recovery) in highly stressed locations like the tailgate corner of the longwall panel.Others are associated with multiple seam interactions.However, a small but significant percentage of coal bursts have occurred during development or in outby locations unaffected by active mining.Most development bursts have been relatively small, but some have been highly destructive.No theory of coal bursts can be complete if it does not account for this type of event.This paper focusses on the development mining coal burst experience in the US, putting it into the context of the entire US coal burst database.The first documented development coal burst occurred almost exactly 100 years ago during slope drivage at the Sunnyside Mine in Utah.Sunnyside subsequently had a long history of bursts, mainly during retreat mining but also during development.Several Colorado mines have also experienced multiple development bursts.Many, but by no means all, of the development bursts in these western US coalfields have been associated with known faults.In the Central Appalachian coalfields, most development bursts have occurred in multiple seam situations.In some of these cases, however, there was no retreat mining in either seam.The paper closes with some lessons from this history, with implications for preventing such events in the future.

Coalbed methane desorption characteristics controlled by coalification and its implication on gas co-production from multiple coal seams

In this work,CH4 isothermal adsorption measurements were carried out on 64 coal samples collected from western Guizhou Province of China,and the coalbed methane(CBM)desorption processes were quantitatively analyzed.The results show that the Langmuir volume and the Langmuir pressure are controlled by coalification,and tend to increase as the vitrinite reflectance changes from 0.98% to 4.3%.Based on a division method of CBM desorption stages,the CBM desorption process were divided into four stages(inefficient,slow,fast and sensitive desorption stages)by three key pressure nodes(the initial,turning and sensitive pressures).The fast and sensitive desorption stages with high desorption efficiency are the key for achieving high gas production.A theoretical chart of the critical desorption pressure(P_(cd))and its relationship with different pressure nodes was established.The higher-rank coals have the higher initial,turning and sensitive pressures,with larger difference between pressure nodes.Most CBM wells only undergo partial desorption stages due to the differences in P_(cd) caused by the present-gas content.Under the same gas content conditions,the higher the coal rank,the less desorption stages that CBM needs to go through.During coalbed methane co-production from multiple coal seams within vertically superposed pressure systems,the reservoir pressure,the P_(cd),the initial working liquid level(WLL)height,and coal depth are key factors for evaluating whether coal seams can produce CBM simultaneously.It must be ensured that each production layer enters at least the fast desorption stage prior to that the WLL was lower than the depth of each layer.Only on this basis can all layers achieve the maximum gas production.

A Numerical Investigation of the Stress Relief Zones Around a Longwall Face in the Lower Seam for Gas Drainage Considerations

Extraction of a protective coal seam (PVCS)-below or above a coal seam to be mined with the potential of coal andgas outburst risk-plays an important role not only in decreasing the stress field in the surrounding rock mass but alsoin increasing the gas desorption capacity and gas flow permeability in the protected coal seam (PTCS). The PVCSis mined to guarantee the safe mining of the PTCS. This study has numerically evaluated the stress redistributioneffects using FLAC3D model for a longwall face in Shanxi Province. The effects of mining depth, mining height andinter-burden rock mass properties were evaluated using the stress relief angle and stress relief coefficient. Verticalstress distribution, stress relief angle and stress relief coefficient in the PTCS were analyzed as the face advancedin the PVCS. The results showed that the stress relief achieved in different locations of the PTCS varied as the faceadvanced. Sensitivity analyses on the pertinent variables indicate that the stress relief in the PTCS is affected mostby the mining depth followed by the inter-burden lithology and the mining height. Furthermore, the elastic moduliof different layers within the inter-burden rock mass are more important than their uniaxial compressive strength(UCS) and Poisson’s ratio. These observations can guide gas drainage borehole design to minimize the accidentsof coal and gas outbursts.

多煤层重复采动回采巷道失稳机理与控制技术

戊9-10-22290工作面为平煤六矿三水平二采区的孤岛工作面,风巷外段在采掘服务期间将会受到上覆戊8及下伏五矿己组回采影响,采掘时空关系异常复杂。目的为探讨多煤层重复采动回采巷道失稳机理与控制技术,方法基于采掘工作面应力时-空演化关系,提出平煤六矿戊9-10-22290工作面风巷外段全生命周期内的围岩控制方法,并进行现场工程应用。结果结果表明:上覆近距离煤层开采后,巷道顶板出现拉剪破坏;本煤层和下伏煤层回采过程中,巷道将逐段受到超前支承压力作用;根据巷道围岩所处的扰动时-空过程和高应力环境,提出“高预应力高强锚杆+锚索+深孔爆破卸压”的抗压-让压-卸压相结合的综合围岩控制技术。现场工业性试验表明,巷道服务期间两帮最大变形量为347 mm,顶板下沉和底板鼓起均在可控范围内,能够满足矿井安全生产需求,取得较好的技术和经济效益,结论研究结果可为类似条件下的回采巷道围岩控制提供参考。

平顶山矿区多煤层卸压立体抽采模式与工程示范

平顶山矿区多煤层发育、含气层段多,仅靠井下进行瓦斯治理工程量大、难度高。为了开辟平顶山矿区瓦斯抽采新模式,达到“采一层抽多层”的目的,采用气测录井与含气量测试相结合的方法精准判识了煤系主要含气层段和含气量;采用体积法评价了东部5对矿井采动区和采空区的煤系气资源量。基于“O”形圈理论和“防-抗-让”思想,分别优化设计了采动井、采空井的井位、层位和井身结构,构建了采动区、采空区多煤层卸压立体抽采模式并进行了工程示范。结果表明:(1)二_(1)煤层顶板200 m范围内存在四煤组、三煤组、二_(1)煤层顶板60 m范围内的砂岩/泥质砂岩互层段等3处主要含气段。平顶山矿区东部5对矿井的采动区和采空区资源量分别为26.36×10~8 m^(3)和20.00×10~8 m^(3)。(2)采动井最佳井位为0.17~0.28倍采长,且靠近回风巷条带区域;走向上,采动井的间距一般为80~100 m。创建了“大口径、避开岩体变形强烈区、P110梯型扣套管”的采动直井稳孔技术体系和“下行水平轨迹+提高套管强度”的采动L型水平井稳产技术体系,保证了产气通道的畅通性。采空井一般布置在距离回风巷30~50 m的区域,完钻位置一般为二_(1)煤层顶板40~60 m的范围;筛管布置在四煤段顶板至裂隙带底部。(3)建立了“地面采动直井/定向井-采动L型水平井-采空井”联作的卸压立体抽采模式,实现了多气源立体抽采。截至2024年4月30日,累计抽采纯量达5258.8万m^(3),总利用量达到3735.4万m^(3),率先在河南省实现了煤系气产业化开发,示范和引领带动作用显著。

浅埋多煤层群协调绿色开采关键技术研发与实践

西部矿区多煤层赋存条件导致了“采面布局矛盾、覆岩结构多变、地表运移叠加”的突出性、普遍性问题,探索适应多煤层高强度开采的协调绿色开采技术成为西部矿区多煤层安全、高效开采的关键。针对浅埋厚煤层群高强度开采面临的主要技术难题,从多煤层开采时空布局、工作面岩层稳定性控制、重复扰动下的地表沉陷等方面,系统地阐述了浅埋多煤层群协调绿色开采的几项关键技术。研究结果如下:(1)揭示了西部多煤层高强度开采层间相互作用机理,构建了多煤层重复开采扰动定量判据与评价方法,创新提出了以层间最小扰动为目标的“薄、中、厚”煤层交错分布协调开采技术;(2)提出了多煤层工作面岩层稳定控制技术,建立了全覆岩结构破断模型,揭示了全覆岩结构破断条件下的支架与围岩相互作用规律,在此基础上针对多煤层开采工作面支护在不同的位置需要采用不同支护策略的需求,研发了工作面支架抗冲双伸缩立柱和超前巷道支护状态监测系统,实现工作面多区域安全高效稳定支护;(3)通过揭示浅埋多煤层斜交叠置开采下地表动态移动特征和地表裂缝发育规律,给出地表下沉系数的确定方法,研发了塌陷区裂缝“土壤重构–原位充填–微地形改造”组合的治理关键技术,有效防治黄土沟壑区的采煤地表塌陷。上述核心技术在张家峁、柠条塔、红柳林等20余个大型煤矿成功应用,为我国西部矿区高质量、可持续开发提供了技术支撑。

近距离煤层群多重采动覆岩破坏特征及应力传递规律研究

近距离煤层群开采覆岩破坏特征不同于单层煤开采,同时存在层间相互影响的问题。以晋能控股煤业集团燕子山煤矿11#煤层、14-2#煤层、14-3#煤层三层近距离煤层为研究对象,通过进行物理相似模拟实验和数值模拟计算,研究分析了近距离煤层群开采时顶底板围岩的覆岩破坏特征及应力传递规律。研究结果表明:近距离煤层群下行开采过程中,随着采动次数增加,顶板横向裂隙超前发育和纵向裂隙穿层效果更为明显,垮落块度明显减小,来压规律不明显;煤层顶板覆岩因采动产生的应力峰值随采动次数增加而降低;初次采动影响下,稳定后的覆岩应力要明显小于原岩应力,而多次采动稳定后的覆岩应力与该次采动前相近;上覆岩层在多重采动影响下,破坏更彻底,形成台阶式的岩层切落。研究结果可为条件相似的近距离煤层群开采顶底板围岩控制、采空区积水及瓦斯防治提供参考依据。

黔西小屯井田煤层气多层合采产层组合优化

贵州小屯井田龙潭组煤系具有煤层数量多、煤层间距小、煤层厚度薄等特点,煤层气开发需以多层合采为主要方式;与单一厚层状煤层相比,多煤层合采易发生层间干扰,影响合采效果及资源动用程度。基于小屯井田钻孔岩性与含气性分析,识别出有利、较有利与不利3种煤岩层组合类型,考查各煤层厚度、埋深、含气量等特征,对比各煤层的煤层气资源条件,综合考虑储盖组合、含气性、渗透性、储层压力、地应力等因素,划分出Ⅰ(6上煤+6中煤+6下煤)、Ⅱ(7煤)、Ⅲ(33煤+34煤)共3套叠置煤层气系统;在此基础上,优化合采产层组合,并确定有序开发模式为优先开发上部产层组合(6上煤+6中煤+6下煤),其次为下部组合(33煤+34煤),最后考虑经济与时间成本确定是否单独开发7煤;确立了资源条件分析-含气系统划分-产层组合优化的多-薄煤层发育区煤层气合采层位优选思路。

煤层群下煤层开采对上覆采空区积水影响程度研究

为研究下煤层开采对上覆采空区积水影响,以凌志达矿煤层群为研究对象,采用数据统计、公式优化等方法,拟合出煤层群开采底板破坏深度公式,分析了采空区积水分布规律,探索了下煤层开采对上覆采空区积水的影响,制定了影响程度判定标准,并将下煤层开采对上煤层采空区积水影响程度划分为危险区、影响区与安全区。分区判定划分结果表征了研究区煤层开采对上层采空区的影响程度,可量化上层采空区水位分布、突水风险的影响和扰动程度,对煤层群开采突水防治具有重要意义。

基于测井参数的煤储层含气量预测方法研究

煤层气含气量测定通常受人为因素影响较大,且测定成本高时间长,而测井数据连续且易获取,通过与含气量建立线性关系,确定利用补偿中子、密度、自然伽马、电阻率、声波时差和深度这六种参数用来建立煤层含气量预测模型。采用多元线性回归、BP神经网络、随机森林这三种方法构建煤储层含气量预测模型。随后利用构建的模型进行盲井检验,结果表明以上三种预测模型均能较好预测煤层含气量,而随机森林模型在此区块预测效果最好。

多煤层复合采动顶底板裂隙带发育规律研究

基于友众煤矿多煤层复合采动顶底板裂隙发育情况,分别采用理论计算、数值模拟和钻孔实测等方法进行研究,计算统计出150202工作面顶板垮落带发育高度分别为40.11~63.09 m、50.2 m、54~57 m,3种方式结果变化范围基本一致。结合矿井地质条件和研究结果可知,15号下煤层采动裂隙带在无构造区域内不会导通上覆3号、6号含水层,在贯穿性断层或陷落柱赋存区域内存在联通导水的可能性。因此,煤矿制定“物探先行、钻探验证、查清构造、上防下采”的防治水原则,为相关类型矿井生产提供依据。

近距离煤层采空区下巷道支护优化设计

针对双马一矿12201运输巷变形破坏严重的问题,结合双马一矿11号和12号近距离煤层实际赋存环境,运用FLAC3D软件分析掘巷、工作面回采围岩应力演化规律。模拟结果显示,在掘巷期间两帮出现不对称应力升高区。工作面回采稳定后,运输巷采空区帮转为应力降低区,而实体煤帮在多重扰动作用下,巷帮侧向支承压力明显升高。根据模拟结果对巷道支护进行优化设计,巷帮采用全锚索支护并且增加锚杆索支护密度。现场实测表明,两帮围岩变形100 d内稳定在300 mm,顶板变形量稳定在200 mm,优化支护方案明显减少了巷道围岩变形量,巷道锚固圈稳定,有效控制围岩变形。

多元逐步回归分析法在煤层含气量预测中的应用——以胡家河井田4号煤层为例

煤层含气量是煤层气选区评价的重要指标,也是煤层气储量计算的重要参数。本文以胡家河井田4号煤层为例,依据井田煤层气井钻孔测试资料,通过进行单因素分析从诸多影响含气量因素中筛选出主控因素,优选运用多元逐步回归法结合主控因素建立了4号煤层含气量的预测模型,结果表明,胡家河4号煤层含气量主导收到煤层埋深和煤层厚度的影响,经计算其预测值与实测值基本相符,为研究区煤层气资源评价和开发选区提供了重要的指导。

倾斜煤层下伏巷道变形破坏特征及控制技术研究

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