Elimination mechanism of coal and gas outburst based on geo‑dynamic system with stress–damage–seepage interactions

Coal and gas outburst is a complex dynamic disaster during coal underground mining.Revealing the disaster mechanism is of great signifcance for accurate prediction and prevention of coal and gas outburst.The geo-dynamic system of coal and gas outburst is proposed.The framework of geo-dynamic system is composed of gassy coal mass,geological dynamic environment and mining disturbance.Equations of stress–damage–seepage interaction for gassy coal mass is constructed to resolve the outburst elimination process by gas extraction with boreholes through layer in foor roadway.The results show the occurrence of outburst is divided into the evolution process of gestation,formation,development and termination of geo-dynamic system.The scale range of outburst occurrence is determined,which provides a spatial basis for the prevention and control of outburst.The formation criterion and instability criterion of coal and gas outburst are established.The formation criterion F1 is defned as the scale of the geo-dynamic system,and the instability criterion F2 is defned as the scale of the outburst geo-body.According to the geo-dynamic system,the elimination mechanism of coal and gas outburst—‘unloading+depressurization’is established,and the gas extraction by boreholes through layer in foor roadway for outburst elimination is given.For the research case,when the gas extraction is 120 days,the gas pressure of the coal seam is reduced to below 0.4 MPa,and the outburst danger is eliminated efectively.

In-situ gas contents of a multi-section coal seam in Sydney basin for coal and gas outburst management

The gas content is crucial for evaluating coal and gas outburst potential in underground coal mining. This study focuses on investigating the in-situ coal seam gas content and gas sorption capacity in a representative coal seam with multiple sections (A1, A2, and A3) in the Sydney basin, where the CO_(2) composition exceeds 90%. The fast direct desorption method and associated devices were described in detail and employed to measure the in-situ gas components (Q_(1), Q_(2), and Q_(3)) of the coal seam. The results show that in-situ total gas content (Q_(T)) ranges from 9.48 m^(3)/t for the A2 section to 14.80 m^(3)/t for the A3 section, surpassing the Level 2 outburst threshold limit value, thereby necessitating gas drainage measures. Among the gas components, Q_(2) demonstrates the highest contribution to Q_(T), ranging between 55% and 70%. Furthermore, high-pressure isothermal gas sorption experiments were conducted on coal samples from each seam section to explore their gas sorption capacity. The Langmuir model accurately characterizes CO_(2) sorption behavior, with ft coefcients (R^(2)) greater than 0.99. Strong positive correlations are observed between in-situ gas content and Langmuir volume, as well as between residual gas content (Q_(3)) and sorption hysteresis. Notably, the A3 seam section is proved to have a higher outburst propensity due to its higher Q_(1) and Q_(2) gas contents, lower sorption hysteresis, and reduced coal toughness f value. The insights derived from the study can contribute to the development of efective gas management strategies and enhance the safety and efciency of coal mining operations.

Gas Drainage Technology in Fully Mechanized Caving Face with Horizontal Sublevel Mining in Steep and Extra-Thick Coal Seam

This paper analyzes the gas source of the horizontally sectioned fully mechanized caving face in the steeply inclined and extra-thick seam of Adaohai Coal Mine, and numerically simulates the stress distribution and pressure relief of the lower section coal after the upper section working face is mined. It theoretically analyzed the reasonable layout of the drainage boreholes, and designed the drainage borehole layout accordingly. In the upper and lower section of the working face, the actual drainage effect of the boreholes was inspected, and the air exhaust gas volume in the working face was statistically analyzed. It was confirmed that the layout of boreholes was reasonable, the gas control effect of working face was greatly improved and fully met the needs of safe mining. The control effect was greatly improved and the need for safe mining was fully met, and thus a gas drainage technology suitable for the coal seam storage conditions and mining technology of the Adaohai Coal Mine was found. That is to say: the gas emission from the working face of the section mining mainly comes from its lower coal body. Pre-draining the lower coal body of the section and depressurizing gas interception and drainage are the key to effectively solve the problem of gas emission from the working face. Drainage boreholes in the working face of the section should be arranged at high and low positions. The high-level boreholes are located about 2 m from the top of the working face, and the high-level boreholes are about 9 m away from the top of the working face. Through the pre drainage of high and low-level boreholes in advance and the interception and pressure relief drainage, the gas control in the horizontal sublevel fully mechanized caving mining face in steep and extra thick coal seam can realize a virtuous cycle.

Response characteristics of gas pressure under simultaneous static and dynamic load:Implication for coal and gas outburst mechanism

Coal and gas outbursts are dynamic disasters in which a large mass of gas and coal suddenly emerges in a mining space within a split second.The interaction between the gas pressure and stress environment is one of the key factors that induce coal and gas outbursts.In this study,first,the coupling relationship between the gas pressure in the coal body ahead of the working face and the dynamic load was investigated using experimental observations,numerical simulations,and mine-site investigations.It was observed that the impact rate of the dynamic load on the gas-bearing coal can significantly change the gas pressure.The faster the impact rate,the speedier the increase in gas pressure.Moreover,the gas pressure rise was faster closer to the impact interface.Subsequently,based on engineering background,we proposed three models of stress and gas pressure distribution in the coal body ahead of the working face:static load,stress disturbance,and dynamic load conditions.Finally,the gas pressure distribution and outburst mechanism were investigated.The high concentration of gas pressure appearing at the coal body ahead of the working face was caused by the dynamic load.The gas pressure first increased gradually to a peak value and then decreased with increasing distance from the working face.The increase in gas pressure plays a major role in outburst initiation by resulting in the ability to more easily reach the critical points needed for outburst initiation.Moreover,the stronger the dynamic load,the greater the outburst initiation risk.The results of this study provide practical guidance for the early warning and prevention of coal and gas outbursts.

Mechanism of gas pressure action during the initial failure of coal containing gas and its application for an outburst inoculation

Faced with the continuous occurrence of coal and gas outburst(hereinafter referred to as“outburst”)disasters,as a main controlling factor in the evolution process of an outburst,for gas pressure,it is still unclear about the phased characteristics of the coupling process with in situ stress,which induce coal damage and instability.Therefore,in the work based on the mining stress paths induced by typical outburst accidents,the gradual and sudden change of three-dimensional stress is taken as the background for the mechanical reconstruction of the disaster process.Then the true triaxial physical experiments are conducted on the damage and instability of coal containing gas under multiple stress paths.Finally,the response characterization between coal damage and gas pressure has been clarified,revealing the mechanism of action of gas pressure during the initial failure of coals.And the main controlling mechanism during the outburst process is elucidated in the coupling process of in situ stress with gas pressure.The results show that during the process of stress loading and unloading,the original gas pressure enters the processes of strengthening and weakening the action ability successively.And the strengthening effect continues to the period of large-scale destruction of coals.The mechanical process of gas pressure during the initial failure of coals can be divided into three stages:the enhancement of strengthening action ability,the decrease of strengthening action ability,and the weakening action ability.The entire process is implemented by changing the dominant action of in situ stress into the dominant action of gas pressure.The failure strength of coals is not only affected by its original mechanical strength,but also by the stress loading and unloading paths,showing a particularly significant effect.Three stages can be divided during outburst inoculation process.That is,firstly,the coals suffer from initial damage through the dominant action of in situ stress with synergy of gas pressure;secondly,the coals with spallation of structural division are generated through the dominant action of gas pressure with synergy of in situ stress,accompanied by further fragmentation;and finally,the fractured coals suffer from fragmentation and pulverization with the gas pressure action.Accordingly,the final broken coals are ejected out with the gas action,initiating an outburst.The research results can provide a new perspective for deepening the understanding of coal and gas outburst mechanism,laying a theoretical foundation for the innovation of outburst prevention and control technologies.

△P index with different gas compositions for instantaneous outburst prediction in coal mines

In this study we measured the △P(initial speed of gas emission) index with different gas concentrations of carbon dioxide(pure CO2,90% CO2+10% CH4,67% CO2+33% CH4,50% CO2+50% CH4,30% CO2+10% CH4 and pure CH4) of coal samples from the No.2 coal seam in the Yaojie Coal Mine,Gansu province,China.The effect of carbon dioxide concentration,gas composition,coal strength and particle size of coal samples on the △P index was investigated.The experimental results show that with gas of various compositions,the △P value of three samples were clearly different.The △P index of coal samples A,B and C(0.2～0.25 mm) were 4,6 and 7 with pure CH4 and 22,30 and 21 when pure CH4 was used.Carbon dioxide concentration affects the △P index markedly.The △P index increases with an increase in carbon dioxide concentration,especially for coal B.Hence,the △P index and K(another outburst index) values tested only with pure CH4 for prediction of the danger of outburst is not accurate.It is important to determine the initial speed of gas emission given the gas composition of the coal seam to be tested for exact outburst prediction.

Coal and gas outburst mechanism of the “Three Soft” coal seam in western Henan

Based on the particularities of gas outbursts,i.e.,low gas bearing capacity and low gas pressure in the "Three Soft" coal seam in western Henan,we applied the theories of plate tectonics and regional structural evolution to investigate the mechanism of this seam and its impact on the coal seam gas formation.Our investigation revealed that coal and gas outbursts are distributed in a strip in a NW direction,with a number of high-penetration mines scattered towards the south side and low-gas mines largely located on the north side.We analyzed the statistics of 38 gas explosions and the rock-coal sturdiness number coefficient f of 167 sampling sites in the region and found the gas outburst mechanism that features a "low indicator outburst phenomenon".The mechanism is characterized by structural coal as its core,a low gas bearing capacity,low gas pressure and sturdiness coefficient f mostly less than 0.3.Our research results provide a theoretical foundation for effective control of gas disasters.

Energy-limiting factor for coal and gas outburst occurrence in intact coal seam

This research reviewed the mechanics and gas desorption properties of intact coal,and tested the crushing work ratios of different intact coals,and then,studied the stress conditions for the failure or crushing of intact coal and the gas demand for the pulverization of intact coal particles.When a real-life outburst case is examined,the required minimum stress for intact coal outburst is estimated.The study concludes that the crushing work ratios of three intact coal samples vary from 294.3732 to 945.8048 J/m^(2).For the real-life case,more than 2300 MJ of transport work is needed,and 10062.09,7046.57 and 5895.47 m^(3) of gas is required when the gas pressure is 1,2 and 3 MPa,respectively.The crushing work exceeds the transport work and even reaches 13.96 times of the transport work.How to provide such an enormous crushing work is an energy-limiting factor for the outburst in intact coal.The strain energy is needed for the crushing work,and the required minimum stress is over 54.35 MPa,even reaching 300.44 MPa.These minimum stresses far exceed the in-situ vertical and horizontal stresses that can be provided at the 300–700 m mining depth range.

Determination of indices and critical values of gas parameters of the first gas outburst in a coal seam of the Xieqiao Mine

Based on the important role in mine safety played by parameters of the first gas outburst, we propose a method of combining historic data, theoretical analysis and experimental research for the purpose of crit- ical values of gas parameters of the first gas outburst in a coal seam of the Xieqiao Mine. According to a characteristic analysis and a summary of the rules of coal and gas outbursts in the No.8 coal seam of a Hua- inan mine, we have investigated their effect on coal and gas outbursts in terms such as ground stress, gas, and coal structure. We have selected gas parameters and determined the critical values of each of the fol- lowing indices： gas content as 7.7 m^3/t, tectonic coal as 0.8 m thick, the absolute gas emission as 2 m3/min, the rate of change as 0.7 m3/min, the gas desorption index of a drilling chip KI as 0.26 mL/（g min^1/2） and the values of desorption indexes Ah2 as 200 Pa. From a verification of the production, the results indicate that application of each index and their critical values significantly improve the level of safety in the pro- duction process, relieve the burden upon the mine, save much labor and bring clear economic benefits.

Coal and gas outburst prevention using new high water content cement slurry for injection into the coal seam

As coal and gas outburst is one of the most serious mine disasters, it is very important to at least control it if not prevent it from occurring. Injecting cement slurry or grouting into the coal seam can strengthen the seam, increase its rigidity coefficient(f), and reduce the volumetric expansion due to gas energy release.This paper reports the results of laboratory experiments on cement-based high water content slurry having different water-cement ratios(W/C) to be used for coal injection. The results show that as the W/C increases, the mobility of the slurry and its setting time increase. The compressive strength and rupture strength, however, are reduced. Furthermore, high W/C grout shows early strength after 7 days, which can be 80% of its 14-day compressive strength. To achieve rapid setting and early strength, the addition of Na_2SiO_3has proven to give the best result, when the concentration of the additive is 3%. The initial and final setting times are 13 and 21 min shorter than samples without Na_2SiO_3, while the compressive strength is more than double. As a retarder, the initial setting time can be extended to 83 min when tartaric acid of 0.4% concentration is added. Through the orthogonal experiment, the optimum recipe of the new high water content slurry has been determined to be: W/C = 2, tartaric acid = 0.2%, Na_2SiO_3= 3%, and12% bentonite. Reinforcement by injection simulation experiments show that the grouting radius of the new slurry mix is 250 mm when the applied grouting pressure is 60 k Pa, 7-day rupture strength and compressive strength are 5.2 and 6.4 MPa, respectively, and are 37% and 88% higher than ordinary cement grout. It can be concluded that the newly developed slurry mix is more effective than the ordinary mix for reinforcing coal and controlling gas outburst.

Application of deep borehole blasting on fully mechanized hard top-coal pre-splitting and gas extraction in the special thick seam

In order to solve the problems of top-coal inadequate destruction and large amounts of gas emission in mining extra thick and hard coal seam,this study investigated the pre-splitting for deep borehole blasting and gas pre-draining technologies on top coal.The mechanism of the technologies was systematically expounded based on hard top-coal cracks development obtained by numerical simulation and theoretical analysis.The results show that explosive blasting in the hard rock results in a large number of cracks and large displacement in the rock mass due to the effect of explosion stress.Meanwhile,the thick top-coal caves,and desorbing gas flows along the cracks improve gas extraction.Finally,the pre-splitting for deep borehole blasting and gas pre-draining technologies was applied in No.3802 working face of Shui Liandong Coal Mine,which increases monthly output in the face to 67.34 kt and the drained gas concentration to 86.2%.The drained gas average concentration from each borehole reaches 40%,and the effect is remarkable.

Research into comprehensive gas extraction technology of single coal seams with low permeability in the Jiaozuo coal mining area

For a low permeability single coal seam prone to gas outbursts, pre-drainage of gas is difficult and inefficient, seriously restricting the safety and efficiency of production. Radical measures of increasing gas extraction efficiency are pressure relief and infrared antireflection. We have analyzed the effect of mining conditions and the regularity of mine pressure distribution in front of the working face of a major coal mine of the Jiaozuo Industrial （Group） Co. as our test area, studied the width of the depressurization zone in slice mining and analyzed gas efficiency and fast drainage in the advanced stress relaxation zone. On that basis, we further investigated and practiced the exploitation technology of shallow drilling, fan dril- ling and grid shape drilling at the working face. Practice and our results show that the stress relaxation zone is the ideal region for quick and efficient extraction of gas. By means of an integrated extraction technology, the amount of gas emitted into the zone was greatly reduced, while the risk of dangerous outbursts of coal and gas was lowered markedly. This exploration provides a new way to control for gas in working faces of coal mines with low permeability and risk of gas outbursts of single coal seams in the Jiaozuo mining area.

Technique of coal mining and gas extraction without coal pillar in multi-seam with low permeability

Aimed at the low mining efficiency in deep multi-seams because of high crustalstress,high gas content,low permeability,the compound 'three soft' roof and the trouble-somesafety situation encountered in deep level coal exploitation,proposed a new idea ofgob-side retaining without a coal-pillar and Y-style ventilation in the first-mined key pressure-relieved coal seam and a new method of coal mining and gas extraction.The followingwere discovered:the dynamic evolution law of the crannies in the roof is influenced bymining,the formative rule of 'the vertical cranny-abundant area' along the gob-side,thedistribution of air pressure field in the gob,and the flowing rule of pressure-relieved gas ina Y-style ventilation system.The study also established a theoretic basis for a new miningmethod of coal mining and gas extraction which is used to extract the pressure-relievedgas by roadway retaining boreholes instead of roadway boreholes.Studied and resolvedmany difficult key problems,such as,fast roadway retaining at the gob-side without a coalpillar,Y-style ventilation and extraction of pressure-relieved gas by roadway retainingboreholes,and so on.The study innovated and integrated a whole set of technical systemsfor coal and pressure relief gas extraction.The method of the pressure-relieved gasextraction by roadway retaining had been successfully applied in 6 typical working faces inthe Huainan and Huaibei mining areas.The research can provide a scientific and reliabletechnical support and a demonstration for coal mining and gas extraction in gaseous deepmulti-seams with low permeability.

Gas drainage technology of high gas and thick coal seam

Gas drainage in Jincheng Mining Group Co.,Ltd.was introduced briefly and theimportance of gas drainage in gas control was analyzed.Combined with coal-bed gas occurrenceand gas emission,the double system of gas drainage was optimized and a progressivegas drainage model was experimented on.For guaranteed drainage,excavationand mining and realization of safety production and reasonable exploitation of gas in coalseams,many drainage methods were adopted to solve the gas problem of the workingface.

Mechanism investigation on coal and gas outburst: An overview

Coal and gas outburst is a frequent dynamic disaster during underground coal mining activities.After about 150 years of exploration,the mechanisms of outbursts remain unclear to date.Studies on outburst mechanisms worldwide focused on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of outburst-prone coal,laboratory-scale outburst experiments and numerical modeling,mine-site investigations,and doctrines of outburst mechanisms.Outburst mechanisms are divided into two categories:single-factor and multi-factor mechanisms.The multi-factor mechanism is widely accepted,but all statistical phenomena during a single outburst cannot be explained using present knowledge.Additional topics about outburst mechanisms are proposed by summarizing the phenomena that need precise explanation.The most appealing research is the microscopic process of the interaction between coal and gas.Modern physical-chemical methods can help characterize the natural properties of outburst-prone coal.Outburst experiments can compensate for the deficiency of first-hand observation at the scene.Restoring the original outburst scene by constructing a geomechanical model or numerical model and reproducing the entire outburst process based on mining environment conditions,including stratigraphic distribution,gas occurrence,and geological structure,are important.Future studies can explore outburst mechanisms at the microscale.

A mathematical model of gas flow during coal outburst initiation

A proposed concept of outburst initiation examines the release of a large amount of gas from coal seams resulted from disintegrating thermodynamically unstable coal organic matter(COM).A coal microstructure is assumed to getting unstable due to shear component appearance triggered by mining operations and tectonic activities considered as the primary factor while COM disintegration under the impact of weak electric fields can be defined as a secondary one.The energy of elastic deformations stored in the coal microstructure activates chemical reactions to tilt the energy balance in a“coal–gas”system.Based on this concept a mathematical model of a gas flow in the coal where porosity and permeability are changed due to chemical reactions has been developed.Using this model we calculated gas pressure changes in the pores initiated by gas release near the working face till satisfying force and energy criteria of outburst.The simulation results demonstrated forming overpressure zone in the area of intensive gas release with enhanced porosity and permeability.The calculated outburst parameters are well combined with those evaluated by field measurements.

Coal and gas outburst dynamic system

Coal and gas outburst is an extremely complex dynamic disaster in coal mine production process which will damage casualties and equipment facilities, and disorder the ventilation system by suddenly ejecting a great amount of coal and gas into roadway or working face. This paper analyzed the interaction among the three essential elements of coal and gas outburst dynamic system. A stress-seepage-damage coupling model was established which can be used to simulate the evolution of the dynamical system, and then the size scale of coal and gas outburst dynamical system was investigated. Results show that the dynam- ical system is consisted of three essential elements, coal-gas medium （material basis）, geology dynamic environment （internal motivation） and mining disturbance （external motivation）. On the case of CI 3 coal seam in Panyi Mine, the dynamical system exists in the range of 8-12 m in front of advancing face. The size scale will be larger where there are large geologic structures. This research plays an important guid- ing role for developing measures of coal and gas outburst prediction and prevention.

Similarity criteria and coal-like material in coal and gas outburst physical simulation

Coal and gas outburst is one of the main gas hazards in coal mines. However, due to the risks of the coal and gas outburst, the field test is difficult to complete. Therefore, an effective approach to studying the mechanism and development of outburst is to conduct the similar physical simulation. However, the similarity criteria and similar materials in outburst are the key factors which restrict the development of physical simulation. To solve those problems, this paper has established similarity criteria base on mechanics model, solid-fluid coupling model and energy model, and presented high similar materials. Combining with three groups of similar number, and considering similar mechanical parameters and deformation and failure regularity, the similarity criteria of outburst is determined on the basis of the energy model. According to those criteria, we put forward a similar material consists of pulverized coal, cement, sand, activated carbon, and water. The similar material has high compressive strength and the accordant characteristics with the raw coal, include density, porosity, adsorption, desorption. The new research is promising for preventing and controlling gas hazards in the future.

Comparing potentials for gas outburst in a Chinese anthracite and an Australian bituminous coal mine

Gas outbursts in underground mining occur under conditions of high gas desorption rate and gas content,combined with high stress regime, low coal strength and high Young's modulus. This combination of gas and stress factors occurs more often in deep mining. Hence, as the depth of mining increases, the potential for outburst increases. This study proposes a conceptual model to evaluate outburst potential in terms of an outburst indicator. The model was used to evaluate the potential for gas outburst in two mines, by comparing numerical simulations of gas flow behavior under typical stress regimes in an Australian gassy mine extracting a medium-volatile bituminous coal, and a Chinese gassy coal mine in Qinshui Basin(Shanxi province) extracting anthracite coal. We coupled the stress simulation program(FLAC3D) with the gas simulation program(SIMED II) to compute the stress and gas pressure and gas content distribution following development of a roadway into the targeted coal seams. The data from gas content and stress distribution were then used to quantify the intensity of energy release in the event of an outburst.

Preventing Coal and Gas Outburst Using Methane Hydration

According to the characteristics of the methane hydrate condensing and accumulating methane, authors put forward a new technique thought way to prevent the accident of coal and gas outburst by urging the methane in the coal seams to form hydrate. The paper analyzes the feasibility of forming the methane hydrate in the coal seam from the several sides, such as, temperature,pressure, and gas components, and the primary trial results indicate the problems should be settled before the industrialization appliance realized.