Lower delta plain interdistributary deposits — An example from the Westphalian of the Lancashire Coalfield,northwest England

A large quarry at Billinge Beacon in Lancashire, northwest England, has provided an excellent exposure of part of the Lower Westphalian A (Upper Carboniferous) Coal Measures sequence which was deposited in a lower delta plain setting. The main horizon exposed, known as the Dyneley Knoll Flags, is interpreted as the proximal reaches of two crevasse-initiated minor delta complexes, into the lower of which has been incised a sinuous minor distributary channel. The channel, which was approximately 120 m wide, built a 160 m wide channel belt by limited lateral accretion with time; vertical accretion appears to have been the dominant infilling mechanism. This produced a stacked series of epsilon cross-strata, made up of rhythmically interbedded sandstone and silty claystone. The peculiar style of infilling of the channel is ascribed to deep incision of the channel into minor delta deposits, and possibly the influence of a seasonal climate.     

Determination of in-situ stress direction from cleat orientation mapping for coal bed methane exploration in south-eastern part of Jharia coalfield, India

Accurate prediction of in-situ stress directions plays a key role in any Coal Bed Methane (CBM) exploration and exploitation project in order to estimate the production potential of the CBM reservoirs. Permeability is one of the most important factors for determination of CBM productivity. The coal seams in Jharia coalfield generally show low permeability in the range of 0.5 md to 3 md. To estimate the in-situ stress direction in the study area, an attempt has been made to undertake the cleat orientation mapping of four regional coal seams of two underground coal mines located at south-eastern part of Jharia coalfield, India. Cleat orientation mapping is critical to determine the maximum principal compressive horizontal stress (S_H) direction for CBM exploration and exploitation, which in turn controls the direction of maximum gas or water flow though coal beds. From the field study it is found that the average face and butt cleat azimuths are towards N15°W and N75°E respectively. Average permeability of the four above-mentioned major coal seams has been calculated from well logs of nine CBM wells distributing over an area of 7.5 km², adjacent to the underground mines. The cleat orientations are congruous with the regional lineament pattern and fits well with the average permeability contour map of the study area to infer the orientation of in-situ maximum horizontal stress. Goodness of fit for the exponential regressions between vertical stress and permeability for individual coal seams varies between 0.6 and 0.84. The cleat orientation is further validated from the previous fracture analysis using FMI well log in Parbatpur area located southern part of the Jharia coalfield. The major coal seams under the study area exhibit directional permeability, with the maximum permeability, oriented parallel to the direction of face cleat orientation.     

华丰煤矿第三系砾岩水与开采四层煤关系

分析了华丰煤矿第三系砾岩的水文地质特征,认为传统的观点,即认为砾岩出水是因为砾岩与四层煤的间距小,四层煤采后的冒裂带高度达到砾岩,具有片面性。该矿的砾岩出水除与砾岩的富水性有关外,还与矿井的冲击地压有密切关系。第三系底部的红层强度非常低,不具隔水性能或隔水性能不好,也是砾岩出水的原因之一。     

Numerical modelling and analysis of the influence of local variation in the thickness of a coal seam on surrounding stresses: Application to a practical case

One of the factors with the most influence in the carrying out of underground coal mining work is the stress state, especially when such work is carried out at great depths. One of the mining methods in which the influence of stresses becomes most patent is that of sublevel caving. For that reason, a variety of authors have studied many of the causes which condition the stress state of mining work of this kind at a general level.However, diverse types of conditioning factors exist at a local level that may substantially vary recorded pressures in the surroundings of the workings. Using numerical models, this paper analyses the specific case of a coal seam mined by the sublevel caving method at a depth of 1000 m which suffers significant increases in stress and major deformations in certain advance headings as a result of variations in the geometry and dimensions of the load itself, in particular, thinning.The results of the research carried out were validated by measuring the stresses in the area under study. Furthermore, on the basis of a retrospective analysis of what was observed in the mine, another series of predictive models were analyzed to establish the existing relation between the increase in stress due to thinning of the seam and the depth at which such thinning is situated.     

Assessing groundwater-surface water connectivity using radon and major ions prior to coal seam gas development (Richmond River Catchment,Australia)

Coal seam gas (CSG, or coal bed methane) mining is rapidly growing, with poorly understood impacts on groundwater and surface water systems. Here, we use chemical tracers to investigate groundwater-surface water connectivity in an Australian river system (Richmond River Catchment, New South Wales) prior to CSG extraction but after ∼ 50 exploratory CSG wells were drilled. We performed four surveys of 29 interconnected creek and river sites, over contrasting hydrological conditions. Radon was used to determine if a surface water segment was gaining groundwater. Radon observations over four seasons revealed that 28 out of 77 surface water segments were clearly gaining groundwater, 5 were possibly gaining groundwater and 44 were undetermined. This is equivalent to gaining segments in 333 km (39%) of surface water from the 864 km being investigated. High spatial and temporal variability in groundwater gaining segments was found. Na/Cl ratios were used to determine the fraction of groundwater in surface water. Overall, the groundwater contribution in surface waters was 14–24% higher in post flood conditions than during the other three surveys of baseflow and moderate flow conditions. The results serve as a regional baseline assessment of river water chemistry and groundwater-surface water connectivity prior to the planned development of CSG fields. Our geochemical tracer approach allows for a quick qualitative assessment of groundwater-surface water connectivity in poorly gauged river systems and can define priority locations where groundwater extraction for CSG mining should be carefully managed.     

Development of the first coal seam gas exploration program in Indonesia: Reservoir properties of the Muaraenim Formation, south Sumatra

The Late Miocene Muaraenim Formation in southern Sumatra contains thick coal sequences, mostly of low rank ranging from lignite to sub-bituminous, and it is believed that these thick low rank coals are the most prospective for the production of coal seam gas (CSG), otherwise known as coalbed methane (CBM), in Indonesia.As part of a major CSG exploration project, gas exploration drilling operations are being undertaken in Rambutan Gasfields in the Muaraenim Formation to characterize the CSG potential of the coals. The first stage of the project, which is described here, was designed to examine the gas reservoir properties with a focus on coal gas storage capacity and compositional properties. Some five CSG exploration boreholes were drilled in the Rambutan Gasfield, south of Palembang. The exploration boreholes were drilled to depths of ~ 1000 m into the Muaraenim Formation. Five major coal seams were intersected by these holes between the depths of 450 and 1000 m. The petrography of coal samples collected from these seams showed that they are vitrinite rich, with vitrinite contents of more than 75% (on a mineral and moisture free basis). Gas contents of up to 5.8 m³/t were measured for the coal samples. The gas desorbed from coal samples contain mainly methane (CH₄) ranging from 80 to 93% and carbon dioxide (CO₂) ranging from 6 to 19%. The composition of the gas released into the production borehole/well is, however, much richer in CH₄ with about 94 to 98% CH₄ and less than 5% CO₂.The initial results of drilling and reservoir characterization studies indicate suitable gas recovery parameters for three of the five coal seams with a total thickness of more than 30 m.     

杨庄煤矿六煤底板采动效应研究

根据杨庄煤矿的开采地质条件,分别建立了走向和倾向两类基本模型,应用数值模拟方法,模拟计算了工作面不同推进距离和不同切眼长度时,底板的破坏深度、范围及采动底板应力分布。数值模拟与现场应力测试及注水试验结果基本一致。对煤矿底板灰岩水的防治有一定的指导意义。     

Geochemical characteristics of REY,Li, Ga trace elements in the No. 9 coal seam of the Daheng mine,Ningwu coalfield,Shanxi Province,China

To understand the geochemical characteristics of the No.9 coal in the Daheng Mine of the Ningwu coalfield, the trace element analysis was conducted through X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The sedimentary environment was discussed according to the element geochemical parameters. The results show that Li, Ga, Hf, Zr, Nb, Th, and Ta are slightly enriched in the No. 9 coal of Daheng Mine. The average value of the rare earth elements and yttrium (∑REY) in coal here is 144.20 μg/g (excluding parting), which is higher than the average value of ∑REY in the world ’s coal and China ’s coal. The light rare earth elements (LREY) are enriched. The content of Eu was 0.12–2.10 μg/g with an average of 0.57 μg/g, and the Eu is obviously negatively abnormal. Most of the trace elements in the coal are positively correlated with the ash content, which shows that the occurrence of these trace elements is related to inorganic minerals. The results of sequential chemical extraction experiments show that rare earth elements mainly exist in coal in the form of aluminosilicate. The value of the Sr/Ba and the content of S reflect that the coal-forming environment was influenced by seawater. The values of V/Cr and Ni/Co reflect that the peat swamp is in an anaerobic environment and a strongly reducing environment during the coal-forming period.     

重庆市砚石台煤矿煤层流变特征及规律探讨

以构造变形强烈的重庆市砚石台煤矿为例,通过井下煤层的观测与煤标本的显微镜观察,分析了煤层中的宏观与微观流变特征,并结合煤层构造的发育特征,总结了煤层流变的控制因素、发育规律及其成因。研究结果认为,砚石台煤矿存在不同程度的煤层流变现象,煤层流变程度受控于层滑作用、煤层构造、煤层层位和煤层倾角等因素。受其影响,煤层流变强烈地段主要集中在4号煤层的地层产状平缓处,次级构造密集发育和层滑作用强烈地段。     

煤层断裂的三维转动场分析——以阜新矿区王营井田为例

用板壳大变形理论转动角计算方法,对阜新矿区王营井田煤层大变形断裂和破裂带进行分析和预测。结果表明,地层大变形断裂转动分析结果与实际勘探结果基本吻合,拟合度较高。     

The age and stratigraphic context of the Easington Raised Beach, County Durham, UK

The Easington Raised Beach, in Shippersea Bay, County Durham, is the most northerly known interglacial beach deposit in England. It lies directly on Magnesian Limestone bedrock at 33 m O.D. and is covered by glacial sediments attributed to the Devensian. Detailed sedimentological analysis suggests that it is an interglacial beach, which is supported by the presence of pebbles bored by marine organisms and littoral, temperate-climate, marine macro- and micro-fossils. It comprises beds of unconsolidated, bedded, imbricated, well-rounded sands and gravels, overlain by similar, but calcreted, deposits. The gravel fraction is dominated by Magnesian and Carboniferous limestone, with orthoquartzite, flint, and porphyries also present; these are far-travelled erratics that must have derived from the erosion of older glacially transported sediments. Previous workers have described erratics derived from the Oslofjord region of Norway in the raised beach gravel, although rocks diagnostic of a Scandinavian origin have not been recovered as part of this study. The heavy-mineral suite is rich in epidote, dolomite, clinopyroxenes, garnet, tourmaline, and micas. The beach was dated previously by conventional amino acid analysis of the shells, which suggested a Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 7 age, albeit with a reworked component from MIS 9. This has been confirmed by new optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dates, which indicate that the beach formed between 240 and 200 ka BP. New amino acid racemisation analyses, using a modified technique, broadly support this interpretation but must await more comparative data before they can be assessed fully. The strong indication of an MIS 7 age for the formation of the beach has implications for the uplift history of northeastern England during the Pleistocene, and indicates an uplift rate of 0.19 mm a⁻¹. The stable isotope geochemistry indicates that the cementation occurred during an interglacial period, whilst U-Series dating of the cement indicates that cementation occurred mostly during the Holocene, and is genetically related to the overlying Devensian till. This work has formed part of a full re-appraisal of the glacial sequence in eastern County Durham, the results of which suggest that the Warren House Formation pre-dates the raised beach, and that the Devensian Horden Till overlies the raised beach.     

Liptinite as an indicator of environmental changes during formation of coal seam No. 207 (Upper Silesia, Poland)

The coal seam No. 207 was a subject of palynological and petrographic studies. According to the results of the vitrinite random reflectance measurements supplemented by moisture and calorific value determinations, the rank of this coal is matching the boundary between sub-bituminous and bituminous coals. The aim was to reconstruct the environmental conditions during the biochemical stage of seam formation, as well as the facies development throughout the seam profile. The maceral (incident and fluorescence mode) and microlithotype compositions (incident light) supplemented by palynological analyses, show that there were two main facies developments. In the authors opinion, they correspond with a phase of ombrogenous, raised bog marked by the presence of crassidurite with Densosporites variabilis and a wet-forest swamp phase represented by vitrite and clarite with more diverse spore assemblage including densospores. Other minor but distinctive sediments, a cannel layer and a reeds facies, both occurring in the lower part of the seam. Above the tonstein horizon, a dry forest type of sedimentation is recognized.     

Uncertainty of gas saturation estimates in a subbituminous coal seam

To assess the commercial viability of a coalbed methane prospect two of the key geological parameters measured are gas content (desorbed gas) and gas holding capacity (adsorption capacity). These two measures, together with reservoir pressure, give an estimate of the gas saturation of the reservoir. Typically gas saturation has been assessed by collecting one adsorption isotherm sample and assuming it is representative of the whole seam reservoir conditions. This study addresses that assumption.To understand the level of variation, and thus the inherent uncertainty in saturation, one core (Jasper-1) from the Huntly coalfield in New Zealand was analysed in detail. Ten samples (representing the whole coal seam) were placed into gas desorption canisters and desorbed for ten days and then analysed for adsorption capacity. Desorption analyses for total measured gas content (average in-situ basis) ranged from 2.32 to 2.89 m³/t (standard deviation (sd) = 0.18) and gas adsorptive capacity at 4 MPa (average in-situ basis) from 2.11 to 3.51 m³/t (sd = 0.38) resulting in saturations ranging from 66% to 120% (sd = 15).Determination of how many samples are required to make a realistic assessment of average reservoir properties requires a consideration of: (i) the level of accuracy desired, (ii) the limit of accuracy possible, which is governed by the magnitude of experimental error, and (iii) the innate variability of the seam. It was found that a minimum of five samples each for adsorption and desorption were required in order to significantly decrease the uncertainty in gas saturation estimates for a subbituminous coal.     

双阳煤田丁家屯井田煤层赋存特征

研究了煤层结构,构造,顶底板岩性变化,掌握煤层、煤质的变化规律,指出了煤矿区存在的问题和开采建议。对未来的矿山建设和资源开采具有重要的指导意义。     

Control and prevention of gas outbursts in coal mines, Riosa–Olloniego coalfield, Spain

Underground coal mines have always had to control the presence of different gases in the mining environment. Among these gases, methane is the most important one, since it is inherent to coal. Despite of the technical developments in recent decades, methane hazards have not yet been fully avoided. This is partly due to the increasing depths of modern mines, where methane emissions are higher, and also to other mining-related circumstances, such as the increase in production rates and its consequences: difficulties in controlling the increasing methane levels, increasing mechanization, the use of explosives and not paying close attention to methane control systems.The main purposes of this paper are to establish site measurements using some critical parameters that are not part of the standard mining-control methods for risk assessment and to analyze the gas behavior of subvertical coal seams in deep mines in order to prevent gas incidents from occurring. The ultimate goal is the improvement in mining conditions and therefore in safety conditions.For this purpose, two different mines were instrumented for mine control and monitoring. Both mines belong to the Riosa–Olloniego coalfield, in the Asturias Central Basin, Spain and the areas instrumented are mined via subhorizontal sublevels at an actual depth of around 1000 m under the overburden of Mount Lusorio.During this research, a property favoring gas outbursts was site measured for the first time in an outburst-prone coal (8th Coalbed), gas pressure and its variations, which contributed to complete the data available from previous characterizations and to set some guidelines for assessing the potential outburst-prone areas. A gas-measurement-tube set has been designed for measuring gas pressure as well as its variation over time as a result of nearby workings and to calculate permeability.The paper establishes the effect of overlapping of works, but it also shows the efficacy of two preventive measures to be applied: high pressure water infusion and the exploitation of a protective coal seam (7th Coalbed), that must be mined preferably two complete sublevels before commencing the advance in the outburst-prone coalbed. Both measures constitute an improvement in the mining sequence and therefore in safety, and should be completed with a systematic measurement to control the risk: gas pressure in the 8th Coalbed in the area of influence of other workings, to establish the most suitable moment to renew the advance. Further researches could focus on ascertaining the permeability, not only in mined areas but also in areas of the mine that are still not affected by mining work and on tuning more finely the ranges of influence of overstress time and overlap distance of the workings of the 7th Coalbed in the 8th Coalbed.     

贵州青龙煤矿碎软煤层区域瓦斯递进式抽采技术

针对碎软煤层瓦斯抽采钻孔存在轨迹不可控、成孔深度浅和瓦斯抽采效果差的问题,分析了现有瓦斯抽采钻孔回转钻进技术瓶颈,集成了基于长距离顺层钻进技术和双动力复合排渣技术的压风定向钻进技术,在此基础上提出了利用压风定向钻进技术,开展碎软煤层区域递进式瓦斯抽采技术。选取黔北煤田中部青龙煤矿21606运输巷道进行现场试验,在坚固性系数为0.37碎软煤层中,施工完成253个顺煤层压风定向钻孔,95%钻孔达到设计孔深,累计进尺超过3万m,单孔瓦斯抽采纯量是普通回转钻孔的10倍以上,单孔瓦斯抽采甲烷体积分数提高约50%以上。试验表明,采用压风定向钻进技术钻进碎软煤层钻孔轨迹可控,成孔率在95%以上,区域递进式瓦斯抽采技术具有无抽采盲区的显著优势,有效缓解了采掘接替紧张局面,提升了矿井瓦斯治理技术水平,为碎软煤层瓦斯治理提供了新的技术途径。     

断煤交线求解方法研究

针对直接连接断层控制点所得断煤交线的主观性与不准确性,根据\     

岩浆侵入煤层中锑的赋存特征——以淮北卧龙湖矿为例

为探讨岩浆蚀变作用对煤层中锑赋存特征的影响,系统采集安徽淮北煤田卧龙湖煤矿岩浆侵入煤层侵入岩和全煤层样品共12个,利用原子荧光光谱法（AFS）测定样品中Sb含量,并对煤质参数进行分析。结果表明：卧龙湖煤矿岩浆侵入区煤表现为超低挥发分,中等灰分,特低硫的特点,煤中的硫主要以有机硫和黄铁矿硫存在。受岩浆热液影响,煤中灰分增加,挥发分减少;岩浆蚀变煤层中锑明显富集,算术平均值达到10.48 mg/kg,且侵入岩上方煤中Sb的平均含量明显增高,煤岩接触带位置Sb的含量达到最高值（13.93 mg/kg）;岩浆蚀变煤中的锑主要以无机结合态形式存在（相关系数r为0.74）,有机硫与煤中Sb呈显著负相关（相关系数r为-0.60）。岩浆侵入作用导致卧龙湖煤矿煤的煤质特征及煤层中锑的赋存方式受到不同程度的影响,研究结果可为特殊地质作用下煤中锑的环境地球化学特征提供参考。     

陕北侏罗纪煤田榆神矿区中鸡勘查区煤层厚度混合分布特征及其意义

煤层厚度统计分布及空间变化规律研究对煤矿勘探和生产建设具有重要作用.以陕北侏罗纪煤田榆神矿区中鸡勘查区详查工作中获取的83个钻孔数据为例,对三大主要可采煤层2-2煤、3-1煤、4-3煤的煤厚数据进行了探索性数据分析,认为3个层煤的煤厚数据均具有混合分布特征,进而采用MML-EM算法对煤层厚度数据进行了高斯有限混合总体筛分.由总体筛分结果可见2-2煤、3-1煤的煤厚数据近似服从由2个子分布组成的混合正态分布,4-3煤厚数据近似服从由3个子分布组成的混合正态分布.讨论了煤层底板高程与煤厚的相关关系,认为煤厚变化主要受底板高程变化影响.筛分所获取的低值与高值2个子正态分布可能分别对应于2种不同的沉积环境,即低值总体指示泥沙及砾石等沉积物的沉积速度大于植物遗体的沉积环境,高值总体则反之.     

运用ANSYS分析开采倾斜煤层引起的地表变形

针对倾斜煤层的开采特点,应用有限元基本原理,建立了倾斜煤层开采的有限元分析模型。利用大型有限元分析软件ANSYS对开采倾斜煤层引起的岩体移动、地表沉陷及应力分布情况进行了数值模拟,总结出倾斜煤层开采时岩体移动的基本特征及地表沉陷的相关参数。利用ANSYS软件作出地表基准点的水平、下沉移动分布曲线、应力分布曲线以及计算模型的应力等值线图、水平移动等值线图和下沉等值线图。上述分布图直观地显示了顶板、煤层及底板的变形以及应力分布情况。阐明了倾斜煤层开采引起地表沉陷的变形机理。为矿区建筑物下倾斜煤层的开采提供了参考依据。