PARAMETER ESTIMATION AND FAULT DETECTION BY THREE-COMPONENT SEISMIC AND GEOELECTRICAL SURVEYS IN A COAL MINE*

Three-component seismic and geoelectrical in-mine surveys were carried out in Lyukobanya colliery near Miskolc, Hungary to determine the in situ petrophysical parameter distributions and to detect inhomogeneities in the coal seam. The seismic measurements comprise an underground vertical seismic profile, using body waves, and an in-seam seismic amplitude-depth distribution and transmission survey, using channel waves. The geoelectrical measurements are based on the drift- and seam-sounding method. Interval traveltime-, amplitude-, multiple-filter- and polarization analysis methods are applied to the seismic data. They lead to a five-layer model for the strata including the coal seam. The coal seam and two underlying beds act as a seismic waveguide. The layer sequence supports the propagation of both normal and leaky mode channel waves of the Love- and Rayleigh type. A calculation of the total reflected energy for each interface using Knott's energy coefficients shows that the velocity ranges of high reflection energy and of normal and leaky mode wavegroups coincide. The excitation of wavegroups strongly depends on the seismic source. A simultaneous inversion of a geoelectrical drift- and seam-sounding survey prevents misinterpretations of the seismic data by clearly identifying the low-velocity coal seam as a high-resistivity bed. Calculations of dispersion and sounding curves improve the resolution of the slowness and resistivity in each layer. Both diminished amplitudes and distortions in the polarization of transmission seismo-grams and decreasing resistivities in a geoelectrical pseudosection of the coal seam are related to an inhomogeneity. A calculation of synthetic seismograms for Love and Rayleigh channel waves with the finite-difference and the Alekseev-Mikhailenko method agrees well with the field data for the main features, i.e., particular arrivals in the wave train, wavegroups, velocities and symmetries or asymmetries. This in-mine experiment demonstrates that the simultaneous acquisition, processing and interpretation of seismic and geoelectrical data improve the lithological interpretation of petrophysical parameter distributions. Coal seam inhomogeneities can also be detected more reliably by the two independent surveys than by one alone.     

GEOELECTRIC DETERMINATION OF QUALITY CHANGES AND TECTONIC DISTURBANCES IN COAL DEPOSITS*

A new underground geoelectric method is presented for the determination of small tectonic disturbances and barrenings in coal seams. The distribution of the apparent resistivity can be mapped from the measured apparent resistance data by using a recently developed geoelectric imaging method. The applicability of the methods are proved by in situ measurements and by a model experiment.     

LOVE-TYPE SEAM-WAVES IN WASHOUT MODELS OF COAL SEAMS*

The propagation of Love seam-waves across washouts of coal seams was studied by calculating synthetic seismograms with a finite-difference method. Seam interruption, seam end and seam thinning models were investigated. The horizontal offset, the dip of the discontinuities and the degree of erosion served as variable parameters. Maximum displacement amplitudes, relative spectral amplitudes and phase and group slowness curves were extracted from the synthetic seismograms. Both seam interruption and seam thinning reduce the maximum displacement amplitudes of the transmitted Love seam-waves. The degree of amplitude reduction depends on the horizontal offset and the degree of erosion. It is four times greater for a total seam interruption than for an equivalent seam thinning with a horizontal offset of four times the seam thickness. In a seam cut vertically, the impedance contrast between the coal and the washout filling determines the maximum displacement amplitudes of the reflected Love seam-waves. They diminish by a maximum factor of four in oblique interruption zone discontinuities with a dip of maximum 27°, and by a maximum factor of ten in a seam thinning with a degree of erosion of at least 22%. The analysis of the relative spectral amplitudes indicates a preferential transmission of those phases with frequencies below, and a preferential reflection of those phases with frequencies above the first mode Airy-phase. The relative spectral amplitudes of the reflected Love seam-waves show a distinct interference pattern of the waves reflected at both interruption zone discontinuities. The dispersion analysis reveals a flattening of the phase and group slowness curves with increasing frequencies, horizontal offset and degrees of erosion. These results imply that a detection of washouts in-mine will be possible in a frequency range including at least the first mode Airy-phase. An interference pattern and a flattening of the dispersion curve indicate a washout rather than other seam obstructions and leads to an estimate of the washout dimension.     

煤层中流体地震可探测性的模拟分析

作为一种典型的强阻抗差低阻抗薄层,煤层中孔隙含流体时是否会引起地震反射产生明显的异常是回答地震检测流体是否可行的根本.为此,本文针对强阻抗差薄层模型,基于Biot双相介质理论,通过弹性波有限差分法数值模拟,与各向同性单相介质假设的煤层反射对比,探讨了反射复合波受煤层孔隙度及流体性质变化的影响程度.模拟分析发现：由于薄层孔隙度和孔隙流体属性的变化在Biot理论中表现为纵波速度的变化,PP波反射AVO（Amplitude Versus Offset,振幅随偏移距变化）特征对薄层是否含流体相对敏感;综合使用PP与PS波对比有利于薄层中流体的预测;孔隙度一定时,PP波反射振幅随着含气饱和度的增加而增大;受薄层调谐作用的影响,孔隙和流体变化对煤层反射的频谱特征影响不大,近似于单相介质时的情况.     

微小盆地倾斜煤层采空区瞬变电磁法探测

为研究微小含煤盆地倾斜煤层采空区的瞬变电磁法探测效果,以云南省新近系向斜盆地采空区为研究对象,从数值模拟与现场实测两方面对瞬变电磁探测效果展开研究。首先,针对研究区微小盆地构造条件建立倾斜煤层地电模型,以正演模拟和电阻率计算论证理论可行性;其次,根据模拟结果设置工作参数进行现场数据采集,以倾斜含煤段作为电性标志层追踪电阻率异常并推断采空区分布范围;最后,采用井下超前钻探对推断的采空区进行验证。结果表明,瞬变电磁法适用于探测微小盆地的构造变化而引起的地电结构的改变,探测结果清晰显示盆地倾斜含煤地层的起伏变化,能准确反映采空区的分布。      

THE INFLUENCE OF AN ASYMMETRY IN THE SEQUENCE ROCK/COAL/ROCK ON THE PROPAGATION OF RAYLEIGH SEAM WAVES*

Small offsets in hard coal seams can be detected with the aid of seam (channel) waves. Transmission and reflection of seam waves depend, among other parameters, upon the symmetry properties of the sequence rock/coal/rock. Two typical unsymmetrical sequences are found in European coal deposits: (i) coal seams with roof and floor of differing acoustic impedance and (ii) coal seams interlayered with rock and soil. Two-dimensional analog models with appropriate impedance contrasts are used to study the effect of the unsymmetrical layers upon the propagation of Rayleigh seam waves. Data analysis is based upon amplitude measurements both parallel and perpendicular to the layers and dispersion curves. The effect of unsymmetrical roof (rock 1) and floor (rock 2) was studied with models containing homogeneous coal seams. Leaky mode wave groups with phase velocities (c_R) in the range between the SV-wave velocities (β_{r1, 2}) of the two rock materials, i.e. β_r1≥c_R > β_r2, form a characteristic part of the Rayleigh seam wave signal. Using Knott's energy coefficient calculations it is shown that in that range energy leakage into the surrounding rock by refracted SV-waves is restricted to only one of the two interfaces, namely coal/rock 2. At the other interface, coal/rock 1, all waves are totally reflected. Thus, the high amplitudes of these leaky mode wave groups are explained by “quasi-normal mode” features. The influence of a dirt bed on wave propagation was studied in models where the roof and the floor have the same elastic properties. The maximum thickness of the dirt bed did not exceed 20% of the total seam thickness. The effect of the bed's location within the seam was also investigated. For all recorded normal-mode wave groups either the total seam or the coal layers could be regarded as wave guides. This was shown by the fact that the phases could be associated with the phase velocity dispersion curves calculated for the symmetrical sequence rock/coal/rock. These curves are relevant under the condition that the thickness of the coal layer assumed under the calculation coincides with the thickness of the effective wave guide of the respective wave groups. Wave groups guided in the total seam are not influenced by either the thickness or the position of the dirt bed. On the other hand, for wave groups guided in the coal layers, the quotient of signal amplitudes in the coal layers is influenced by the position of the dirt bed.     

The history and dynamics of a welded pyroclastic dam and its failure

Igneous intrusions in coal seams are found in 80 % of coal mines in the Huaibei coalfield, China, and coal and gas outburst accidents have occurred 11 times under a 120-m-thick sill in the Haizi mining field. The magma’s heat had a significant controlling effect on coal seam gas occurrence. Based on theoretical analysis, experimental tests and site validation, we analyzed the temperature distribution following magma intrusion into coal measure strata and the variations in multiple physical parameters and adsorption/desorption characteristics between the underlying coal seams beneath the sill in the Haizi mining field and coal seams uninfluenced by magma intrusion in the adjacent Linhuan mining field. The research results show that the main factors controlling the temperature distribution of the magma and surrounding rocks in the cooling process include the cooling time and the thickness and initial temperature of the magmatic rock. As the distance from sill increases, the critical effective temperature and the duration of sustained high temperatures decrease. The sill in the Haizi mining field significantly promoted coal seam secondary hydrocarbon generation in the thermally affected area, which generated approximately 340 m³/t of hydrocarbon. In the magma-affected area, the metamorphic grade, micropore volume, amount of gas adsorption, initial speed of gas desorption, and amount of desorption all increase. Fluid entrapment by sills usually causes the gas pressure and gas content of the underlying coal seams to increase. As a result, the outburst risks from coal seams increases as well.     

Analysis of quality factors for Rayleigh channel waves

To facilitate investigation of the effect of imperfect elastic dissipation on thepropagation of Rayleigh-type channel waves and use of their quality factors in investigationsof the properties of coal seams, a simple method for calculating the quality factor QR isproposed in this paper. Introduction of complex velocities into the dispersion function allowscalculation of the dispersion function of Rayleigh-type channel waves in coal seams. By thecontrol variable method, we analyzed changes in QR with changes in coal seam thickness andP- and S-wave Q-factors within the coal seam and adjacent rock layers. The numerical resultsshow that the trend of the QR curve is consistent with the group velocity curve. The minimumQR value occurs at the Airy phase frequency; the Airy phase frequency decreases as coal seamthickness increases. The value of QR increases with increasing Qs2 （quality factor for S wavein coal seam）. We can compensate for the absorption of Rayleigh-type channel waves usingthe computed QR curve. Inversion of the QR curve can also be used to predict the thicknessesand litholoeies of coal seams.     

IS IT POSSIBLE TO INCREASE THE RESOLUTION IN SEISMIC EXPLORATION FOR COAL BY USING HIGH FREQUENCY SIGNALS?*

In seismic exploration for coal data resolution is a fundamental problem. Modeling helps to understand those details of the geology that can be interpreted from the seismic image. For single seam exploration, the vertical resolution of a seismic section is defined by the bandwidth of the signals. If there are several seams, each seam acts as a high-pass filter for reflections and as a low-pass filter for transmitted waves. Synthetic seismograms show that reflections from deep seams have a low frequency content. Within a layered sequence of coal seams, many multiples are generated which disturb later primary reflections. The ratio of primaries to multiples depends on the frequency content of the seismic data and on the number of overlying seams. The multiple problem is more severe with high frequencies. Primary reflections from deep coal seams within a sequence can be detected only if low-frequency signals are used. However, the use of low-frequency signals reduces the resolution of the deeper data.     

Seeing coal‐seam top ahead of the drill bit through seismic‐while‐drilling

Blast damage to the tops of coal seams due to incorrect blast standoff distances is a serious issue, costing the industry in Australia about one open‐cut mine for every ten operating mines. The current approach for mapping coal‐seam tops is through drilling and pierce‐point logging. To provide appropriate depth control with accuracy of ±0.2 m for blast hole drilling, it is typically necessary to drill deep reconnaissance boreholes on a 50 m x 50 m grid well in advance of overburden removal. Pierce‐point mapping is expensive and can be inaccurate, particularly when the seam is disturbed by rolls, faults, and other obstacles.Numerical modelling and prototype‐field testing are used in this paper to demonstrate the feasibility of two seismic‐while‐drilling‐based approaches for predicting the approach to the top of coal during blast hole drilling: (i) reverse “walk‐away” vertical seismic profiling recording, in which the drill bit vibration provides the source signal and the geophones are planted on the surface near the drill rig, and (ii) in‐seam seismic recording, in which channel waves, driven by the coupling to the coal of the seismic signal emitted by the approaching drill bit, are guided by the seam to geophones located within the seam in nearby or remote boreholes.     

含小断层煤层Rayleigh型槽波波场和频散分析

煤层隐伏小断层在煤田地质勘探期间能否查明,是影响煤矿安全生产的主要地质因素.煤层中传播的地震槽波,非常适用于探测煤田异常构造.本文利用谱元法模拟计算了含断层模型Rayleigh型地震槽波的产生、传播过程,对于直达槽波、反射槽波、透射槽波进行了波场特征分析,频散特征分析,频谱特征分析.根据不同小落差断层模型（垂直断距分别为1/4、1/2、3/4、1个煤厚;断层倾角分别为90°、60°、45°）,分析了Rayleigh型槽波传播过程中断层对反射槽波、透射槽波能量、频谱的影响效应.基于以上分析,对于小断层模型中的Rayleigh型地震槽波取得了一些规律性认识,并对Rayleigh型地震槽波的勘探应用做了一些探讨.     

THE PROPAGATION OF ATTENUATED SH CHANNEL WAVES*

The problem of detecting discontinuities which interrupt coal seams is of great importance to the coal mining industry. One possible method of detecting such discontinuities is that of in-seam seismology where both source and detectors are placed under- ground on the coal face. In this paper the propagation of SH waves from a line source in the seam is investigated. There exists a particular set of waves–channel waves–, confined to the coal seam. These waves are dispersive and have an associated Airy phase whose geometrical attenuation is least. However, if absorption of energy within the coal is included then the Airy phase is the dominant wavegroup only for distances less than a certain maximum. If a detection criterion proposed by Dresen and Freystätter applies, then there is a lower limit to the frequency that should be used for exploration. This requirement may be in conflict with attenuation considerations.     

唐山古冶、 滦县地区中小地震活动与构造关系研究

小震活动与断层运动紧密相关, 小震定位技术已逐渐成为地震断层破裂、 发震构造研究中不可或缺的手段。 本文采用双差定位法对唐山地区1978—2011年内发生地震进行重新定位, 以地震学与构造地质学为理论基础, 着眼于唐山地震构造系统与滦县地震构造系统的交汇区, 对连续、 丰富的地震数据进行时间、 空间综合分析, 发现古冶东侧出现一条新生地震带。 开滦煤矿地质资料证实了该新生地震带展布与徐家楼—王喜庄基岩断层完全重合, 推测2010年M_S4.2地震与2012年M_S4.8地震均由徐家楼—王喜庄断层活动引起, 应加强该区地震监测工作。     

CALCULATION OF DISPERSION CURVES AND AMPLITUDE-DEPTH DISTRIBUTIONS OF LOVE CHANNEL WAVES IN HORIZONTALLY-LAYERED MEDIA*

We present dispersion curves, and amplitude-depth distributions of the fundamental and first higher mode of Love seam waves for two characteristic seam models. The first model consists of four layers, representing a coal seam underlain by a root clay of variable thickness. The second model consists of five layers, representing coal seams containing a dirt band with variable position and thickness. The simple three-layer model is used for reference. It is shown that at higher frequencies, depending on the thickness of the root clay and the dirt band, the coal layers alone act as a wave guide, whereas at low frequencies all layers act together as a channel. Depending on the thickness, and position of the dirt band and the root clay, in the dispersion curves of the group velocity, secondary minima grow in addition to the absolute minima. Furthermore, the dispersion curves of the group velocity of the two modes can overlap. In all these cases, wave groups in addition to the Airy phase of the fundamental mode (propagating with minimum group velocity) occur on the seismograms recorded in in-seam seismic surveys, thus impeding their interpretation. Hence, we suggest the estimation of the dispersion characteristics of Love seam waves in coal seams under investigation preceding actual field surveys. All numerical calculations were performed using a fast and stable phase recursion algorithm.     

0.9 m薄煤层SH型槽波频散特征及波形模式

在0.9 m薄煤层中使用放炮方法做微震震源的条件,通过对所采集到的薄煤层槽波信号进行分析,发现薄煤层槽波在频域中存在高频和低频两个独立并且不连续的波段.其中高频区大约以2000 Hz为中心,低频域的中心频率约为490 Hz,并且高频域和低频域的能量差异不显著.通过时频分析,可以清晰地看到高、低两个频域几乎在同一时刻触发,并且其小波相关系数在这两个域中的分布规律表现出一定的相似性.通过对0.9 m薄煤层槽波频散曲线的理论分析可知,现场观测到的Airy震相的频率及速度和其理论值较为接近.震源置于煤层中心,且炸药能量对顶底板的扰动,对第二阶对称波形模式下槽波高频部分的形成起着关键作用.在这一对称高阶波形模式下槽波的波速基本上和煤层顶底板中S波的波速一致.由于这两个触发的波形模式在时间域中具有相似的特征,建议在高频域和低频域同时发育较好的薄煤层槽波勘探中,可以采用在同一时间域中高低频相结合的方法提高利用槽波勘探分析的效果.     

Radio-wave imaging in a coal seam waveguide using a pre-selected enforced resonant mode

The efficacy of radio-wave imaging (RIM) in extended geological strata which are planar and regular, such as coal seams, continues to be questioned, because the electromagnetic wave excitation and propagation mechanisms remain unclear. To eradicate the doubts, a full-wave finite element simulation of a ‘realistic’ coal seam boundary value problem has been constructed and is described and analysed in this paper. The model is used to examine electromagnetic waves (near-fields) in the vicinity of the magnetic source and resonant modal patterns distant from it, for a range of electrical parameters for the coal medium and for a variety of possible boundary conditions. These studies suggest that only for very low loss seams can RIM be effective, and consequently a new guided electromagnetic wave (GEM) system has been proposed to circumvent the acknowledged deficiencies inherent in RIM.     

乾陵地震台地电场日变化特征及干扰因素分析

该文对陕西乾陵地震台地电场日变化特征和常见的干扰因素进行分析。研究结果表明,地电场静日变化具有较为典型的单峰双谷形态,在发生地电暴时,高频成分明显增加,日变幅比静日有较大幅度的增加;存在的干扰主要是高压直流输电干扰、工业游散电流影响等;也有大风、降雨和雷电自然因素干扰;高压直流输电影响幅度的大小与入地电流的大小、距离及地下介质等因素有关;其他方面的干扰,是局部、短时间内电磁环境的变化而影响地电场的变化。     

Fault proximity surveys in coal using guided seismic waves—Numerical modelling

Guided seismic waves are generated at lateral discontinuities in coal seams as an integral part of the mechanics of scattering downgoing body waves from a surface energy source.Numerical and laboratory model studies undertaken for both thin and thick coal seam waveguides show that small faults generate recognizable diffraction patterns by convertingP andS waves into channel wave arrivals at in-seam geophones on a walkawayVSP profile.These results suggest that in-seam geophones can be used during subsequent surface reflection surveys so as to improve mine profitability by optimising longwall layout in faulted ground.     

Dispersion features of transmitted channel waves and inversion of coal seam thickness

In-seam seismic survey currently is a hot geophysical exploration technology used for the prediction of coal seam thickness in China. Many studies have investigated the relationship between the group velocity of channel wave at certain frequency and the actual thickness of exposed coal beds. But these results are based on statistics and not universally applicable to predict the thickness of coal seams. In this study, we first theoretically analyzed the relationship between the depth and energy distribution of multi-order Love-type channel waves and found that when the channel wave wavelength is smaller than the thickness of the coal seam, the energy is more concentrated, while when the wavelength is greater than the thickness, the energy reduces linearly. We then utilized the numerical simulation technology to obtain the signal of the simulated Love-type channel wave, analyzed its frequency dispersion, and calculated the theoretical dispersion curves. The results showed that the dispersion characteristics of the channel wave are closely related to the thickness of coal seam, and the shear wave velocity of the coal seam and its surrounding rocks. In addition, we for the first time realized the joint inversion of multi-order Love-type channel waves based on the genetic algorithm and inversely calculated the velocities of shear wave in both coal seam and its surrounding rocks and the thickness of the coal seam. In addition, we found the group velocity dispersion curve of the single-channel transmitted channel wave using the time–frequency analysis and obtained the phase velocity dispersion curve based on the mathematical relationship between the group and phase velocities. Moreover, we employed the phase velocity dispersion curve to complete the inversion of the above method and obtain the predicted coal seam thickness. By comparing the geological sketch of the coal mining face, we found that the predicted coal seam thickness is in good agreement with the actual thickness. Overall, adopting the channel wave inversion method that creatively uses the complete dispersion curve can obtain the shear wave velocities of the coal and its surrounding rocks, and analyzing the depth of the abruptly changed shear wave velocity can accurately obtain the thickness of the coal seam. Therefore, our study proved that this inversion method is feasible to be used in both simulation experiments and actual detection.     

SEISMIC MODELLING WITH CHANNEL WAVES IN SEAM STRUCTURES INFLUENCED BY MYLONITE ZONES1

Channel waves generated in coal-seams and their reflections from discontinuities are widely used to indicate the tectonic and stratigraphic features of coal deposits, resulting in greater efficiency and safety in coal-mining. In the mining area of Ibbenbüren (F.R.G.) seam structures sometimes contain so-called mylonite zones, which are crushed coal deposits capable of binding gas. If mining hits a mylonite zone this would probably not only reduce output of the mine, but could even cause gas explosions. To investigate the influence of a mylonite zone on the propagation of channel waves, Rayleigh channel wave measurements for 2D analogue models were performed and synthetic seismograms of Love channel waves were calculated. Analogue modelling of the mylonite zone using Rayleigh seam waves within the seam was carried out using a perforation technique. Calculations were made to obtain an estimate of velocity reduction due to perforation. The results agree well with velocity values measured up to a perforation of 25% in a 2D epoxy resin model. Reflected channel wave energy was found by applying dispersion analysis in the case where the impedance reduction between the mylonite seam structure and the undisturbed seam was approximately 5%. The horizontal width of the mylonite structure was detectable from the time lag between reflected channel wave signals from both in-seam borders of the mylonite zone. Resolution of two discrete borders was possible for a width of 1.5 λ's. The influence of a vertical fault, positioned within the mylonite zone, could only poorly be resolved. Numerical model investigations of Love seam waves were concerned mainly with the variation of the horizontal width of the mylonite zone. Mylonite zones with dimensions of the order of 0.4 λ's allow definite statements about their widths from dispersion and spectral analyses. For zones with smaller widths down to 0.2 λ's, it was found that reflectivity and transmissivity analyses give a qualitative criterion for distinguishing a mylonite structure surrounding a fault from a pure fault.