Estimation of Rock Cuttability from Shore Hardness and Compressive Strength Properties

Summary Shore hardness has been used to estimate some mechanical and physical properties of rocks for many years. This study differs from previous studies in a way that it is directly oriented to rock cuttability. Two Shore hardness values (SH ₁ andSH ₂) and a coefficient of deformation value (K) have been measured for 30 different rock samples. In the first stage of the study, optimum specific energy values for 16 different rock samples obtained from full-scale cutting tests were correlated with the Shore hardness values of the same rock samples changingSH ₁ values from 9 to 66 andSH ₂ values from 25 to 83, with deformation coefficient values changing from 26 to 195. In the second stage, the performance of a roadheader used in the Kü?üksu (Istanbul) tunnel was recorded in detail and the instantaneous cutting rate of the machine was determined. Then, the relationship between Shore hardness values, deformation coefficient and the instantaneous cutting rate of the machine was determined for different formations encountered. It is concluded that there is a relationship between Shore hardness values, optimum specific energy and compressive strength, which may be used to estimate the rock cuttability and the instantaneous cutting rates of roadheaders within certain limits of reliability.     

Petrographic properties of major coal seams in Turkey and their formation

Most types of coal in Turkey are generally low in rank: lignite, and subbituminous. Most of the coal was formed during the Miocene, Eocene, and Pliocene ages. There are only a few thin Jurassic-age coal occurrences in Turkey. Pennsylvanian age bituminous coal is found on the Black Sea coast. General implications of the petrographic properties of Turkey's coal seams and coal deposits have not yet been taken into consideration comparatively or as a whole.For this study, about 190 channel samples were collected from different locales. The composite profile samples of the seams were taken into considerations. The content and depositional properties as well as some chemical and physical properties of the main coal seams are compared. All coal samples tend to have similar coal petrographic properties and were deposited in intermontane lacustrine basins. Later, they were affected by faulting and post-depositional volcanic activity. As a result, there are variations in the properties and rank of the coal samples. The most abundant coal maceral group is huminite and the most abundant maceral is gelinite. The liptinite and inertinite contents of the coal are low and the maceral contents of the coals show great similarity. The depositional environments of the all coals are lacustrine dominated.     

Quality of selected coal seams from Indiana: implications for carbonization

The chemical properties of two high-volatile bituminous coals, the Danville Coal Member of the Dugger Formation and the Lower Block Coal Member of the Brazil Formation from southern Indiana, were compared to understand the differences in their coking behavior. It was determined that of the two, the Lower Block has better characteristics for coking. Observed factors that contribute to the differences in the coking behavior of the coals include carbon content, organic sulfur content, and oxygen/carbon (O/C) ratios. The Lower Block coal has greater carbon content than the Danville coal, leading to a lower O/C ratio, which is more favorable for coking. Organic sulfur content is higher in the Lower Block coal, and a strong correlation was found between organic sulfur and plasticity. The majority of the data for both seams plot in the Type III zone on a van Krevelen diagram, and several samples from the Lower Block coal plot into the Type II zone, suggesting a perhydrous character for those samples. This divergence in properties between the Lower Block and Danville coals may account for the superior coking behavior of the Lower Block coal.     

Nitrogen and carbon dioxide occurrence in UK coal seams

Conclusions Some bituminous coals, mostly of high volatile rank, sampled from various coalfields contained on average 0.5 m³ t^–1 nitrogen and 0.13 m³ t^–1.Nitrogen is released more readily than methane during coal winning but the volumes of nitrogen released are small compared with ventilation quantities and are only likely to be of significance for detailed oxygen deficiency studies.     

厚煤层内小断层的反射槽波探测技术及应用

厚煤层、巨厚煤层工作面内的小断层一般断距或延展长度的规模较小,目前的探查方法和仪器受分辨率限制一般难以探查这类小断层,而小断层探查不清,将会对智能化工作面高效回采带来较大影响。针对这一问题,开展厚煤层内小断层反射槽波探测的数值模拟及现场实验工作。在数值模拟方面,采用交错网格有限差分法对厚煤层(6 m)、巨厚煤层(20 m)两种环境下含小断层(落差小于3 m)的数值模型进行三分量弹性波模拟,在对数值模拟结果进行频谱分析的基础上研究不同模型中的直达槽波与反射槽波的特征。在实际探查方面,通过不同矿区厚煤层、巨厚煤层实际发育断层进行透、反射数据综合研究,分析和比较透射与反射槽波方法对小断层的探查情况。研究表明,工面内构造发育相对简单的条件下,反射槽波对厚煤层、巨厚煤层工作面中小断层的探测较透射槽波有更强的识别性及准确性。      

韩城桑树坪二号井松软煤层钻进技术研究与实践

针对韩城桑树坪二号井煤层松软破碎,现有设备能力小、自动化程度低、钻探工艺不合理导致瓦斯抽采钻孔钻进深度浅、钻进效率低等问题。对研究矿区3号煤层进行了大螺旋钻杆回转钻进、宽翼片螺旋钻杆空气钻进与宽翼片螺旋钻杆清水钻进工艺试验。试验表明：宽翼片螺旋钻杆清水钻进工艺施工效率是原来的1.5倍,钻孔深度由80 m左右提高到了200 m以上,成孔率达80%以上,满足了桑树坪二号井工作面瓦斯抽采钻孔施工要求。     

吐哈盆地煤层的吸附性及其影响因素

通过对吐哈盆地煤层的吸附性及其影响因素的深入研究,认为该盆地煤层虽然变质程度较低,但对甲烷气仍有较强的吸附能力;煤的变质程度是影响吐哈盆地煤层吸附性的主要因素,煤岩显微组分、煤中水分和含油性也对煤层吸附性有不同程度的影响。     

Facies analysis of coal seams from the Cracow Sandstone Series of the Upper Silesia Coal Basin, Poland

The main purpose of this study was to recognise the variability of petrographical structure of two coal seams occurring in the Cracow Sandstone Series (Upper Carboniferous/Pennsylvanian, Upper Westphalian), being exploited in the Siersza mine. This mine is located in the eastern part of the Upper Silesia Coal Basin (USCB). The chemical analyses and petrographical features allow the inclusion of these coals to the group of hard brown coals belonging to subbituminous class.Two coal seams (207 and 209/210) of a considerable thickness (7.44 and 6.54 m, respectively), representative of the Cracow Sandstone Series (CSS), were chosen for the petrographic studies. Dominant macroscopic constituents of both seams are banded bright coal and banded coal.The coal seams were sampled in 284 intervals using a channel profile sampling strategy. The microscopical examinations revealed the majority of macerals from the vitrinite group (55%), followed by inertinite (21%), liptinite (11%), and mineral matter (13%). Low values of the vitrinite reflectance (R_o=0.46%) confirm very low coalification of the coal in both seams. Facies analysis indicates that in the course of a mire development, in which the studied coal seams originated, wet forest swamp conditions dominated characterized by a high degree of flooding and gelification as well as by a prevalence of arborescent plants. In such conditions, lithotypes with a large content of bright coal were mainly formed. Petrographic and facies data point to the rheotrophic character of these peatbogs. Frequent changes of the conditions in the peatbog, as it is shown by the variability of petrographic structure of the studied profiles, as well as by lateral changes of the phytogenic sedimentary environment within the coal seams, indicate a strong influence of a river channel on the adjoining peatbogs. An accretion of clastic sediments within the wide river channel belts was balanced mainly by the peatbog growth on the areas outside channels. Frequency and rate of avulsion of the river channels influenced the size, continuity and variability of the peatbogs.     

内蒙古二道岭矿区煤层含气性特征

通过对内蒙古二道岭矿区煤层含气量、含气质量、含气饱和度等含气性要素的分析,研究了该区煤层气的含气性特征。结果表明,二道岭矿区煤层含气量高,甲烷浓度高,含气饱和度高,具有良好的勘探开发前景     

The anatomy of a coal seam split,Durham coalfield,Northeast England

A pronounced coal seam split, one of many within the Lower Westphalian B (Upper Carboniferous) sequence of the Durham coalfield, northeast England, occurs in the vicinity of the village of Burnhope. This feature involves the division of the combined Main/Fivequarter coal into its two component parts, which become separated by up to 8 m of clastic sedimentary rocks over a horizontal distance of 150 m. Three-dimensional outcrop data from an opencast (surface) coal mine straddling the split, supported by extensive subsurface information, have allowed detailed study of the seam split geometry, in addition to that of three overlying coal seams and intervening clastic facies. The study suggests that deposition of the interval as a whole, including the split, was strongly influenced by compaction-controlled subsidence, and not by either contemporary fault movements or channel sedimentation. A substantially greater aggregate thickness of coal is preserved over the five seam interval where the Main/Fivequarter is unsplit than where split. This relationship is consistent with the coal depositional model proposed by Fielding (1984a), which proposed that thick coals in the Durham area are located adjacent to, but not within, coal seam splits. It further implies that attractive sites for future opencast development in the area may be predicted from a regional knowledge of coal seam splits.     

抽放瓦斯顺煤层长钻孔施工技术

介绍了抽放瓦斯顺煤层长钻孔试验情况。在试验中使用定向钻进技术施工了3个钻孔,有1个试验孔深度达509.03m,是目前国内最深的全煤层长钻孔,平均纯钻进时效24.4m/h。这些抽放孔的瓦斯涌出量均达到2.0~2.5m³/min。     

Prediction of groundwater inrush into coal mines from aquifers underlying the coal seams in China: application of vulnerability index method to Zhangcun Coal Mine,China

Groundwater inrush is a geohazard that can significantly impact safe operations of the coal mines in China. Its occurrence is controlled by many factors and processes are often not amenable to mathematical expressions. To evaluate the water inrush risk, Professor Wu and his colleagues have proposed the vulnerability index approach by coupling the artificial neural network (ANN) and geographic information system (GIS). The detailed procedures of using this innovative approach are shown in a case study. Firstly, the powerful spatial data analysis functions of GIS was used to establish the thematic layer of each of the main factors that control the water inrush, and then to choose the training sample on the thematic layer with the ANN-BP Arithmetic. Secondly, the ANN evaluation model of the water inrush was established to determine the threshold value for each risk level with a histogram of the water inrush vulnerability index. As a result, the mine area was divided into four regions with different vulnerability levels and they served as the general guidelines for the mine operations.     

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.     

Petrography and geochemistry of Carboniferous coal seams in the Donets Basin (Ukraine): implications for paleoecology

The Carboniferous succession in the Donets Basin hosts about 130 seams, each with a thickness over 0.45 m. Nine economically important seams from the (south)western Donets Basin are studied using organic petrographical, inorganic geochemical, and organic geochemical techniques. The main aim of the study is the reconstruction of peat facies of Serpukhovian (Mississippian) and Moscovian (Middle Pennsylvanian) coals.Formation of major coal seams commenced during Serpukhovian times. Early Serpukhovian coal accumulated in a relatively narrow shore-zone and is rich in inertinite and liptinite. Very low ash yields, low to moderate sulphur contents, and upward increasing inertinite contents suggest coal deposition in raised mires.Moscovian coal has a significantly wider lateral extension and is generally rich in vitrinite. Coal properties vary widely in response to different peat facies. Low-sulphur, low-ash k₇ coal was formed in a raised mire or in a low-lying mire without detrital input. l₁ and l₃ seams containing several fluvial partings were formed in low-lying mires. Both seams are more than 2 m thick. Seams m₂ and m₃ contain high-sulphur coal, a consequence of deposition in a peat with marine influence. In contrast, syngenetic sulphur content is low in the m₅^{1 upper} seam, which was formed in a lacustrine setting. The late Moscovian n₁ seam, up to 2.4 m thick, accumulated in a swamp with a vegetation rich in bryophytes and pteridophytes. The properties of the n₁ seam are transitional between those of Serpukhovian and other Moscovian seams. Differences in maceral composition between Serpukhovian and Moscovian coals probably reflect changes in climate and vegetation type.Tuff layers are observed in the l₁, l₃, and m₃ seams. The l₃ and m₃ seams contain abundant authigenic quartz. Trace element contents are high in many seams. As contents are especially high in seams c₁₀², k₇, l₃ and m₃. Ash in the l₃ seam contains up to 8000 ppm As. Co is enriched near the base of several seams. Maxima up to 2400 ppm occur in the ash of the k₇ and l₃ seams. Cd contents in ash are frequently as high as 30 or 40 ppm.     

深部强冲击地压易发矿区厚煤层开采解放层卸压效果数值模拟

为研究深部强冲击厚煤层开采上、下解放层的卸压效果。采用数值模拟方法,分析不开采解放层,开采下解放层,开采上、下解放层条件下,被解放层的应力变化情况及应力变化规律,计算开采下解放层后的合理卸压角,确定解放层平巷位置。模拟结果表明开采上、下解放层后,应力明显减小,但仍存在高应力区,易发生冲击地压,必要条件下应采用其它辅助卸压方式。证明了煤壁前方应力增加区域一般在煤壁前方8～25m。该研究为工作面开采设计提供理论指导,对防治冲击地压具有一定的现实意义。     

Determination of the cleat angle distribution of the RECOPOL coal seams, using CT-scans and image analysis on drilling cuttings and coal blocks

Cleat orientation, cleat frequency and cleat angle distribution of deep coal seams are only available by the use of drilling cores and from coal mine samples. Coal drilling cuttings are a cheap and fast alternative to measure cleat angle distributions with the use of image analysis techniques. In this study oriented coal samples and drilling cuttings of the RECOPOL field experiment are compared and used to explain and validate the proposed method. In other words, cleat angle distributions from drilling cuttings are measured by image analysis. The geological framework of the polish coals is described. The image analysis methodologies for the measurement of fracture faces of cuttings and from CT-scan images, derived from these coals, are explained. The results of the methods on the cuttings are compared with cleat orientation distributions from CT-scans and artificial fragments from coal blocks of the same seams. These evaluations show high agreements between the methods. The cleat angle distributions of drilling cuttings of four seams are compared with the cleat orientation distributions of a regional structural geological study. The high correlation in this study shows that cleat angle distributions of coal seams can be used as input parameters for reservoir modelling.     

可控电脉冲波增透技术在低透气性煤层中的应用

可控电脉冲波增透技术作为低透气性煤层增透改造的理想措施之一,施工方案优化问题亟待解决。选择山西保德煤矿低透气性煤层,采用可控电脉冲波增透技术开展钻孔增透施工方案优化。试验结果表明,在钻孔内平均增透作业范围为131 m、冲击密度为0.5次/m条件下,增透钻孔组日均瓦斯抽采量较常规孔提高4.7倍,可控电脉冲波增透效果最佳。增透钻孔组日均瓦斯抽采量由高到低依次是5 m观测孔、15 m观测孔、30 m观测孔和增透孔,表明增透效果随着距离的增加逐渐衰减,影响半径确定为大于30 m。结合对比验证试验综合分析认为,可控电脉冲波能够显著提高煤层瓦斯抽采量,而冲击密度和钻孔内增透作业范围是增透效果的重要影响因素。在较硬煤层中以钻孔内平均增透范围100 m、0.5次/m冲击密度作业增透效果最佳。研究成果为可控电脉冲波增透技术在我国低透气性煤层的增透施工方案设计中提供参考。     

Organic petrology and geochemistry of the Carboniferous coal seams from the Central Asturian Coal Basin (NW Spain)

This paper presents for the first time a petrological and geochemical study of coals from the Central Asturian Coal Basin (North Spain) of Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian), mainly of Moscovian, age. A paleoenvironmental approach was used, taking into account both petrographic and organic geochemical studies. Vitrinite reflectance (R_r) ranges from 0.5% to 2.5%, which indicates a high volatile bituminous to semianthracite and anthracite coal rank. The coal samples selected for paleoenvironmental reconstruction are located inside the oil–gas-prone phase, corresponding to the interval between the onset of oil generation and first gas generation and efficient expulsion of oil. This phase is represented by coals that have retained their hydrocarbon potential and also preserved biomarker information. Paleodepositional reconstruction based on maceral and petrographic indices points to a swamp environment with vitrinite-rich coal facies and variable mineral matter content. The gelification index (GI) and groundwater influence index (GWI) indicate strong gelification and wet conditions. The biomarkers exhibit a high pristane/phytane ratio, suggesting an increase in this ratio from diagenetic processes, and a high diterpanes ratio. This, in turn, would seem to indicate a high swamp water table and a humid climate. The maximum point of coal accumulation occurred during the regressive part of the Late Moscovian sequence and in the most humid climate described for this period of time in the well-known coal basins of Europe and North America.     

Prediction of groundwater inrush into coal mines from aquifers underlying the coal seams in China: vulnerability index method and its construction

Groundwater inrushes often occur in the coal mines of China. One of the water sources is the aquifers underlying the coal seams. Because such a water hazard is affected by many factors, data collected from various sources need to be evaluated to predict its occurrence. This paper introduces an innovative approach in which the water inrush risk is represented by the vulnerability index. This method combines the geographic information system and the artificial neural network. The artificial neural network is used to estimate the weight of each factor. Unlike the traditional prediction method in which two controlling factors are often evaluated without regard to their relative importance, this new approach incorporates multi-factors and describes the non-linear dynamical processes.