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.

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.

Three-dimensional numerical simulation of methane drainage by high-level drill holes in a lower protective coal seam with a “U” type face

Different drill-hole positions may produce different drainage results in low protective coal seams.To investigate this possibility,a 3D stope model is established,which covers three kinds of drill holes.The FLUENT computational fluid mechanics software is used to solve the mass,momentum and species conservation equations of the model.The spatial distributions of oxygen and methane was obtained by calculations and the drainage results of different drill-hole positions were compared.The results show that,from top to bottom,methane dilution by oxygen weakens gradually from the intake to the return side,and methane tends to float;methane and oxygen distribute horizontally.The high-level crossing holes contribute to better methane drainage and a greater level of control.Around these holes,the methane density decreases dramatically and a "half circle"distribution is formed.The methane density decreases on the whole,but a proportion of the methane moves back to deep into the goaf.The research findings provide theoretical grounds for methane drainage.

Numerical simulation and experiment analysis of improving permeability by deep-hole presplitting explosion in high gassy and low permeability coal seam

Created a new damage model for explosive for LS-DYNA3D,taking advantageof the Taylor method aimed at the high gassy and low permeability coal seam,and numericallysimulated and analyzed the deep-hole presplitting explosion.The entire processof explosion was represented,including cracks caused by dynamic pressure,transmissionand vibration superposition of stress waves,as well as cracks growth driven by gas generatedby explosion.The influence of the cracks generated in the process of explosion andthe performance of improving permeability caused by the difference of interval between.explosive holes were analyzed.A reasonable interval between explosive holes of deepholepresplitting explosions in high gassy and low permeability coal seams was proposed,and the resolution of gas drainage in high gassy and low permeability coal seam was putforward.

Possibilities of Increasing the Effectiveness of Mining Methane Drainage in Conditions of Low Permeability of Coal Seams

There is very low permeability of coal seams in Polish coal mines. For this reason, pre-mining methane drainage is conducted to a small extent, which rarely brings expected results. Methane emission from roof and floor sub-economic seams has the greatest share in total methane emission to workings. Effective CMM （coal mine methane） capture is used from goaf in advance or after mining. However, due to longwall mining and ventilation systems, it is not always possible to capture methane from strata. This paper presents a method of increasing the permeability of coal seams and a method of drilling boreholes towards goaf. Initial results of the effectiveness of methane capture after applying these methods are presented.

Hydraulic drill hole reaming technology with large flow and draining of coal mine gas

This paper takes Zhaozhuang mine in Shanxi province as an example to study the technology of hydraulic reaming drill hole for improving the gas extraction.The influence of the physical properties of coal seam on the hydraulic reaming drill holes and the draining of coal mine gas were analyzed and discussed for different coal structure areas,and the following conclusions were made.Hydraulic drill hole reaming has had a positive impact in Zhaozhuang Mine,and can improve the efficiency of gas extraction to different degrees.The water jet pressure used in hydraulic drill hole reaming mainly depends on the structure of the coal.When the coal seam basically becomes integrated,the critical water jet pressure increases,the discharge becomes relatively easy to achieve,the blocking effect on the gas extraction decreases,and the gas extraction significantly increases after the reaming process.When the coal seam is broken,the critical water jet pressure decreases,the discharge becomes difficult to achieve,the blocking effect on the gas extraction becomes obvious,and the gas extraction changes slightly after reaming.

Progress on the hydraulic measures for grid slotting and fracking to enhance coal seam permeability

A method of hydraulic grid slotting and hydraulic fracturing was proposed to enhance the permeability of low permeability coal seam in China. Micro-structural development and strength characteristics of coal were analysed to set up the failure criterion of coal containing water and gas, which could describe the destruction rule of coal containing gas under the hydraulic measures more accurately. Based on the theory of transient flow and fluid grid, the numerical calculation model of turbulence formed by high pressure oscillating water jet was used. With the high speed photography test, dynamic evolution and pulsation characteristics of water jet water analysed which laid a foundation for mechanism analysis of rock damage under water jet. Wave equation of oscillating water jet slotting was established and the mechanism of coal damage by the impact stress wave under oscillation jet was revealed. These provide a new method to study the mechanism of porosity and crack damage under high pressure jet.Fracture criterion by jet slotting was established and mechanism of crack development controlled by crack zone between slots was found. The fractures were induced to extend along pre-set direction,instead of being controlled by original stress field. The model of gas migration through coal seams after the hydraulic measures for grid slotting and fracking was established. The key technology and equipment for grid slotting and fracking with high-pressure oscillating jet were developed and applied to coal mines in Chongqing and Henan in China. The results show that the gas permeability of coal seam is enhanced by three orders of magnitude, efficiency of roadway excavation and mining is improved by more than 57%and the cost of gas control is reduced by 50%.

A method of determining the permeability coefficient of coal seam based on the permeability of loaded coal

This study developed the equipment for thermo-fluid–solid coupling of methane-containing coal, and investigated the seepage character of loaded coal under different working conditions. Regarding the effective pressure as a variable, the variation characteristics of the gas permeability of loaded methane-containing coal has been studied under the conditions of different confining pressures and pore pressures. The qualitative and quantitative relationship between effective stress and permeability of loaded methane-containing coal has been established, considering the adsorption of deformation, amount of pore gas compression and temperature variation. The results show that the permeability of coal samples decreases along with the increasing effective stress. Based on the Darcy law, the correlation equation between the effective stress and permeability coefficient of coal seam has been established by combining the permeability coefficient of loaded coal and effective stress. On the basis of experimental data, this equation is used for calculation, and the results are in accordance with the measured gas permeability coefficient of coal seam. In conclusion, this method can be accurate and convenient to determine the gas permeability coefficient of coal seam, and provide evidence for forecasting that of the deep coal seam.

Resistivity response to the porosity and permeability of low rank coal

Laojunmiao coal samples from the eastern Junggar basin were studied to understand the relationship between coal resistivity and the physical parameters of coal reservoirs under high temperatures and pressures.Specifically,we analysed the relationship of coal resistivity to porosity and permeability via heating and pressurization experiments.The results indicated that coal resistivity decreases exponentially with increasing pressure.Increasing the temperature decreases the resistivity.The sensitivity of coal resistivity to the confining pressure is worse when the temperature is higher.The resistivity of dry coal samples was linearly related to φ~m.Increasing the temperature decreased the cementation exponent(m).Increasing the confining pressure exponentially decreases the porosity.Decreasing the pressure increases the resistivity and porosity for a constant temperature.Increasing the temperature yields a quadratic relationship between the resistivity and permeability for a constant confining pressure.Based on the Archie formula,we obtained the coupling relationship between coal resistivity and permeability for Laojunmiao coal samples at different temperatures and confining pressures.

Experimental research on coal seam similar material proportion and its application

In this paper, the optimization design of the low strength mechanical test and orthogonal test have been analyzed in order to simulate the mechanical properties of thick and extra-thick coal seam accurately in a similar material simulation test. The results show that the specimen can reach a wider range of strength when cement has been used compared to that of gypsum, suggesting that cement is more suitable for making coal seam in similar material simulation tests. The uniaxial compressive strength is more sensitive to cement than coal or sand. The proportion of coal and sand do not play a decisive role in uniaxial compressive strength. The uniaxial compressive strength and specimen density decrease as the mass percent of coal and aggregate–binder ratio rise. There is a positive correlation between uniaxial compressive strength and density. The No. 5 proportion(cement: sand: water: activated carbon: coal = 6:6:7:1.1:79.9)was chosen to be used in the similar material simulation test of steeply dipping and extra-thick coal seam with a density of 0.913 g/cm^3 and an uniaxial compressive strength of 0.076 MPa which are in accordance with the similarity theory. The phenomenon of overburden stratum movement, fracture development and floor pressure relief were obtained during the similar material simulation test by using the proportion.

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.

How moisture loss affects coal porosity and permeability during gas recovery in wet reservoirs?

Moisture in coal seams changes gas adsorption capacity, induces coal deformation, and affects coal porosity. However, fewer studies have investigated the dynamic process of moisture loss. In this study, a fully coupled multi-physical model for coal deformation, gas flow and moisture loss was implemented. It validated the coal-gas-moisture interactions of the decay of gas adsorption capacity and the coal shrinkage.Subsequently, the proposed model was applied to a simulation of coal seam gas recovery from wet reservoir and solved using the finite method in COMSOL Multiphysics 3.5. Analyses of the component factors and the sensitive parameters of moisture loss on coal porosity and permeability were comprehensively studied at last. The results reveal that moisture loss enhances coal porosity and permeability. The decay of gas adsorption capacity decreases coal permeability while the coal shrinkage promotes it. The decrease of the adsorption decay coefficient and the increase of the initial density of saturated water vapor and water evaporation constant can enhance the permeability of wet coal seams.

Similarity model tests of movement and deformation of coal-rock mass below stopes

For a study of the movement and deformation of coal-rock mass and low protected seams below a stope,as well as for fracture developments and rules of evolution of permeability,we designed a plane strain model test stand to carry out model tests of similar materials in order to improve the effect of gas drainage from low protected seams and to measure the movement and deformation of coal-rock mass using a method of non-contact close-range photogrammetry.Our results show that 1) using paraffin melting to take the place of coal seam mining can satisfy the mining conditions of a protective seam;2) coal-rock mass under goafs has an upward movement after the protective seam has been mined,causing floor heaving;3) low protected seams become swollen and deformed,providing a good pressure-relief effect and causing the coal-rock mass under both sides of coal pillars to become deformed by compression and 4) the evolution of permeability of low protected seams follows the way of initial values→a slight decrease→a great increase→stability→final decrease.Simultaneously,the coefficient of air permeability increased at a decreasing rate with an increase in interlayer spacing.

基于6LoWPAN的煤层瓦斯压力监测系统设计

针对目前煤层瓦斯压力监测存在测量精度低、数据传输不及时、设备部署不便等问题,设计了一种基于6LoWPAN的煤层瓦斯压力监测系统。该系统测压节点通过多跳方式在6LoWPAN网络中选择最优路径,将实时采集的瓦斯压力数据传输至边界路由器,边界路由器通过工业以太网将数据传至地面服务器,同时地面设备可通过服务器查询指定区域测压节点的实时监测数据。测试结果表明,该系统可实时、准确地监测煤层瓦斯压力,具有较高的数据通信效率和稳定性,且功耗低。

Definition, theory, methods, and applications of the safe and efficient simultaneous extraction of coal and gas

Simultaneous extraction of the coal and gas is an effective method of eliminating coal mine gas disasters while safely exploiting the coal and achieving efficient gas drainage in China, which is widely accepted by the main coal-producing countries around the world. However, the concrete definition of simultaneous extraction is vague and there is little accurate theoretical support for the simultaneous extraction of coal and gas, which makes it difficult to determine an efficient gas drainage method appropriate to the features of coal seams. Based on theoretical analysis, laboratory tests and field observations, a specific definition of simultaneous extraction of coal and gas is proposed after analyzing the characteristics of coal seam occurrences in China, and we developed the mechanism of mining-enhanced permeability and established the corresponding theoretical model. This comprises a process of fracture network formation, in which the original fractures are opened and new fractures are produced by unloading damage. According to the theoretical model, the engineering approaches and their quantitative parameters of ＇unloading by borehole drilling＇ for single coal seams and ＇unloading by protective seam mining＇ for groups of coal seams are proposed, and the construction principles for coal exploitation and gas-drainage systems for different conditions are given. These methods were applied successfully in the Tunlan Coal Mine in Shanxi Province and the Panyi Coal Mine in Anhui Province and could assure safe and efficient simultaneous extraction of coal and gas in these outburst coal mines.

Theories and techniques of coal bed methane control in China

Coal bed methane control with low permeability is a hot issue at present. The current status of coal bed methane control in China is introduced. The government-support policies on coal bed methane control are presented. This paper proposes the theories of methane control in depressurized mining, including methane extraction in depressurized mining, simultaneous mining technique of coal and methane without coal pillar, and circular overlying zone for high-efficiency methane extraction in coal seams with low permeability. The techniques of methane control and related instruments and equipments in China are introduced. On this basis, the problems related to coal bed methane control are addressed and further studies are pointed out.

Effect of damage zone around borehole on carbon dioxide injection promoted gas extraction in soft and low-permeability coal seam

Injecting external CO_(2) into soft and low-permeability coal seams can improve CH4 extacctinn efficiency, and also benefit in CO_(2) sequestration. However, the distribution law of damage zone around borehole in soft coal seam and its effect on the efficiency of CO_(2) injection promoted CH4 extraction are not clear. In this paper, a multi-physics coupling mathematical model considering damage effect is established for simulating the process of CO_(2) injection promoted CH4 extraction in soft and low-permeability coal seam. The distribution of damage zone and permeability around boreholes under different diameters and coal strengths are analyzed. The gas pressure and gas content in coal seam during CO_(2) injection promoted CH4 extraction when the model considered damage effect are compared with that of ignored. The results show that small borehole diameter corresponds to narrow damage zone around the borehole in coal seam. The damage zone expands with the increase of the borehole diameter. The damage zone increases exponentially with the borehole diameter, while decreases exponentially with the compressive strength of coal seam. The highest permeability in the damage zone has increased by nearly 300 times under the condition of simulated case. CH4 pressure around the extraction borehole reduces, and the reduction area expands with the increase of time. Compared with the result of considering the damage effect, the reduction area of ignoring it is smaller, and the reducing speed is slower. The integrated effect of CO_(2) injection and CH4 extraction leads to rapid decrease of CH4 content in coal seam near the boreholes. The CO_(2) pressure and content increase around the injection borehole, and the increasing area gradually extends to the whole coal seam. In soft coal seams, failure to consider the damage effect will underestimate the efficiency of CH4 extraction and CO_(2) sequestration, resulting conservative layout of boreholes.

碎软低渗煤储层强化与煤层气地面开发技术进展

我国碎软低渗煤储层分布广泛,然而由于其煤体松软、破碎、渗透性差,常规的直井/水平井煤储层直接压裂技术应用于碎软低渗煤储层强化及其煤层气地面开发的效果并不理想,碎软低渗煤储层煤层气的高效开发是制约我国煤层气产业大规模发展以及煤矿瓦斯高效治理的重要技术瓶颈。在系统分析我国碎软低渗煤储层特征及煤层气地面开发中存在的问题基础上,以水平井为基础井型,围绕间接压裂、应力释放和先固结后压裂3种不同的技术方向,梳理了目前碎软低渗煤储层强化与煤层气地面开发技术进展。归纳评述了以顶板间接压裂、夹矸层间接压裂以及硬煤分层间接压裂为内涵的间接压裂煤层气开发技术,以水力喷射造穴、气体动力造穴、扩孔+水力喷射+流体加卸载诱导失稳造穴、水力割缝为不同应力释放方式的应力释放煤层气开发技术,以及先微生物诱导碳酸钙固结碎软煤储层再进行水力压裂的先固结后压裂煤层气开发技术。间接压裂技术的工程实践探索已有较多积累,在地质条件适宜地区对碎软低渗煤储层强化取得了较好效果,而以应力释放为代表的碎软低渗煤储层强化新技术探索已取得重大进展,并进入工程试验和验证阶段。水平井应力释放技术针对碎软低渗煤储层特性和新的开发原理,其对储层改造潜力更大、煤层气开发效果会更好。基于水平井应力释放技术,围绕扩大应力释放范围、提高煤层气开发效果以及实现煤与煤层气共采3个方面,对碎软低渗煤储层强化及煤层气地面开发技术的发展趋势进行了展望,以期为改善我国碎软低渗煤储层增产改造效果以及提高煤层气单井产量提供参考。

煤层顶板间接压裂裂缝扩展机制及影响因素

碎软低渗煤层在我国普遍发育,制约煤层气单井产气量提高和产业发展。间接压裂是通过在邻近层产生垂直裂缝沟通煤层进而实现煤层有效改造的一种压裂方式,可以有效应对钻井塌陷、煤粉产出、压裂液滤失和煤层厚度薄等不利因素。通过间接压裂物理模拟试验和扩展有限元数值模拟分析,揭示煤层顶板间接压裂裂缝扩展影响因素,明确裂缝扩展机制,以期为间接压裂技术提供指导。通过直接压裂煤层和不同起裂位置、垂向应力和施工排量影响下间接压裂试验表明,起裂压力高,更易产生长裂缝,且受原生裂缝影响程度减小;但起裂点距离煤层越远,起裂所需能量越大,高破裂压力会对煤层造成粉碎性破坏;大施工排量下,起裂压力对应升高,起裂时间变短,原生裂缝影响程度变小。考虑地应力、起裂位置、岩石力学和施工排量等参数的数值模拟结果显示,在模型参数设置条件下,最大水平主应力和垂向应力差在<4 MPa,煤层与顶板有效应力差>3 MPa、弹性模量差<15 GPa的地层和岩性组合适合间接压裂,起裂位置距离煤层最优距离为<6 m,施工排量需要根据力学性质、断裂能密度等参数确定最优范围。

重复注气压降法煤层渗透率模型与原位测试研究

煤层渗透率作为衡量瓦斯渗流与抽采难易程度的重要指标,对其进行准确测定具有重要意义。针对现有方法计算渗透率测试周期长、结果不稳定、模型不完善等问题,研究煤层渗透率的快速准确测定方法及相应的计算模型。基于煤层中气体径向不稳定流控制方程,结合不同压差下气体在煤层中的体积流量方程,建立可利用全区间压降数据测定煤层渗透率的注气压降计算模型。应用COMSOL数值模拟软件的达西渗流模块对模型进行求解,针对现场工程设计中可对压降曲线产生影响的测压气室长度进行单变量处理,根据模拟结果分析钻孔的测压气室长度可设计为2.0 m。根据数值模拟结果进行现场布置,搭建井下重复注气压降试验系统,结合煤层瓦斯赋存条件和巷道条件施工两组穿层钻孔,对2个测点分别注入两次高于煤层瓦斯压力的补偿气体进行渗透率原位测试,测试周期分别约为6 d和17 d,第2轮测试的注气压力高于第1轮。结合理论推导验证了注气压降过程中煤层瓦斯的雷诺数均处于线性达西渗流段,瓦斯在煤层中的渗流符合达西定律,满足计算模型的假设。与传统煤层渗透率计算方法进行了比较,结果表明:本方法和径向流量法的计算结果基本一致,可以满足实际工程需要。重复注气压降法的测试结果稳定可靠,具备快速测定的优点。