A coupled model for solid deformation and gas leak flow

From the viewpoint of interaction mechanics of solid and gas, a coupled mathematical model is presented for solid coal/rock‐mass deformation and gas leak flow in parallel deformable coal seams. Numerical solutions using the strong implicit procedure (SIP) method to the coupled mathematical model for double parallel coal seams are also developed in detail. Numerical simulations for the prediction of safety range using protection layer mining are performed with experimental data from a mine with potential danger of coal/gas outbursts. Analyses show that the numerical simulation results are consistent with the measured data on the spot. The coupled model shows a positive future for applications in a wide range of gas‐leak‐flow‐related problems in mining engineering, gas drainage engineering and mining safety engineering. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

急倾斜上保护层开采瓦斯越流固-气耦合模型及保护范围

开采保护层是防治煤与瓦斯突出最有效的措施之一,其关键是保护范围的合理确定。针对急倾斜多煤层上保护层开采有效保护范围的划定问题,基于煤层瓦斯越流理论,根据煤岩层变形与瓦斯渗流的固-气耦合作用,建立了瓦斯渗流场方程和煤岩体变形场方程,得到了急倾斜上保护层开采瓦斯越流固-气耦合数学模型。以南桐矿区某矿上保护层开采为实例,通过多物理场耦合系统,建立了该矿上保护层开采瓦斯越流几何模型并进行数值计算,获得了上保护层工作面开采后被保护层瓦斯压力的分布规律,确定了上保护层开采的卸压保护范围。数值计算与现场考察试验结果具有一致性,由此验证了数值计算的合理性。研究结果可以对现场保护范围的划定及卸压瓦斯抽放等提供理论指导,具有实际工程意义。     

煤层瓦斯卸压抽放动态过程的气-固耦合模型研究

根据瓦斯渗流与煤体变形的基本理论,引入煤体孔隙变形与透气性演化的耦合作用方程,建立了考虑煤层吸附、解吸作用的含瓦斯煤岩固-气耦合作用模型。应用该模型模拟研究了不同压力影响下瓦斯抽放过程中煤层透气性的演化和抽放孔周围瓦斯压力的变化规律,其结果对于深入理解瓦斯抽放作用机制并采取相应的瓦斯预防和控制措施等具有重要的理论和实践意义。     

Shaft failure characteristics and the control effects of backfill body compression ratio at ultra-contiguous coal seams mining

Solid backfill coal mining is a mainstream method in green coal mining, which has gradually become a key technology to control shaft deformation when recovering industrial square pillars during mining of ultra-contiguous coal seams. On the basis of the engineering background of Nantun Coal Mine, this paper combined physical simulation, numerical simulation, and theoretical analysis for studying shaft deformation, failure characteristics, and stress variation rules during the mining of ultra-contiguous coal seams. The results revealed that shaft deformation and failure were the results of the movement of strata caused by coal mining; in addition, the backfill body compression ratios in two adjacent coal seams were the key factors in shaft deformation control during the mining of ultra-contiguous coal seams. Moreover, the effects of the backfill body compression ratios on shaft deformation in ultra-contiguous coal seam mining were simulated by ABAQUS, and the optimal compression ratios of backfill body in two coal seams were determined. Finally, based on the probability-integral method, the vertical compressive deformation and the inclined deformation of shaft were estimated and the results showed that the shaft safety and stability at ultra-contiguous coal seam mining can be provided when the backfill body compression ratios of 3_upper and 3_lower coal seams were set at 85%.     

NUMERICAL MODELLING OF METHANE GAS MIGRATION IN DRY COAL SEAMS

This paper presents the development of a mathematical model for methane gas migration in coal seams. The major focus of this model is the coupling between the gas flow and deformation of solid coal. The effect of diffusion of adsorbed methane gas from the solid matrix to the voids has been taken into account. The adsorption of gas in the coal seam causes a two-phase state of gas flow. The governing equation for the two-phase gas flow is a non-linear partial differential equation with non-linear boundary conditions. A finite element model has been developed for simulation of the distribution of pressure and concentration of methane gas due to gas migration in coal seams.     

Researches of fracture evolution induced by soft rock protective seam mining and an omni-directional stereo pressure-relief gas extraction technical system: a case study

In the absence of a suitable coal seam to serve as the protective seam in deep mining, an innovative solution of using the soft rock seam as the protective seam mining has been put forward. Taking the Luling Coal Mine as the engineering background, theoretical analysis and similar simulation experiment were conducted to study the key technologies used in soft rock protective seam (SRPS) mining. This included the characteristics of the pressure-relief gas source and accumulation zone, and the pressure-relief gas extraction of the protected seam. The results show that after mining the SRPS, the pressure-relief gas rushing out of nearby coal seams has become the major gas source in SRPS mining. An omni-directional stereo pressure-relief gas extraction system was developed, which consisted of techniques such as buried pipes in the goaf, ground extraction wells, intercepting boreholes, and seam-crossing boreholes. During the investigation, the total pressure-relief gas extraction flow amounted to 29.5 m³/min, and the gas pre-extraction rate reached 66.6% for the overlying protected seams (seams 8 and 9). The investigation into the protective effects in the cut hole showed that the maximal gas pressure and content were 0.35 MPa and 4.87 m³/t, respectively. This indicated that drilling extraction boreholes in the gas accumulation zone played a key role in obtaining an improved pressure-relief gas extraction effect. Further, these findings suggested that SRPS mining (in combination with omni-directional stereo pressure-relief gas extraction technology) could turn dangerous coal seams into ones with much less gas content, and hence free from gas outburst.     

考虑Klinbenberg效应的煤中应力-渗流耦合数学模型

已有研究表明,瓦斯在煤层中渗流存在明显的Klinbenberg效应,建立考虑Klinbenberg效应的煤中瓦斯渗流应力耦合模型是煤层瓦斯抽放数值模拟的关键。通过试验研究了煤中的气渗透率与瓦斯压和围压的关系,试验数据的拟合分析表明,赵阳升公式能很好地模拟瓦斯渗流的Klinkenberg效应及围压对煤的渗透率的影响。将赵阳升公式引入到建立的煤层瓦斯渗流应力弹塑性耦合模型中,建立了考虑Klinkenberg效应的煤层渗流-应力弹塑性耦合数学模型,在数值计算程序Coupling Analysis中予以实现,并利用已有解析解对程序的可靠性进行了验证。按考虑和不考虑“Klinbenberg“效应两种工况进行了数值计算。结果表明,按前者计算的瓦斯压降要大于后者。这与理论研究的结论一致,表明所建立的考虑Klinbenberg效应的模型具有理论和工程价值。     

A discussion on analytical and numerical modelling of the land subsidence induced by coal seam gas extraction

Coal seam gas (CSG) is an increasingly important source of natural gas all over the world. Although the influence of conventional oil and gas extraction on surface subsidence has been widely recognized and studied, few studies are carried out on the surface subsidence in coal seam gas fields and its impact on surface infrastructure and the environment. This paper discusses modelling of the surface subsidence associated with coal seam gas production by applying both analytical and numerical methods. By comparison of results from the numerical model and two analytical models, i.e. the disc-shaped reservoir model and the uniaxial compaction model, the analytical solutions cannot describe the complex process of water and gas extraction and have the limitations to predict the surface subsidence, while the numerical model can be better used in prediction of subsidence. After applying the numerical model in numerical analysis, the deformation characteristics of coupled fluid flow, and the effects of permeability change of coal seam, associated overlying and underlying layers, and depressurization rates on surface subsidence are investigated. The results demonstrate that the proposed model can simulate the production of water and gas from coal seams and the associated surface subsidence.     

中硬低渗煤层定向长钻孔水力压裂瓦斯高效抽采技术与应用

针对黄陇侏罗纪煤田中硬煤层渗透性差、瓦斯抽采浓度及流量衰减速度快等问题,利用自主研发的水力压裂成套工艺设备,提出煤层定向长钻孔水力压裂瓦斯高效抽采技术,并在黄陇煤田黄陵二号煤矿进行工程应用试验。现场共完成5个定向长钻孔钻探施工,单孔孔深240~285 m,总进尺1 320 m;采用整体压裂工艺对5个本煤层钻孔进行压裂施工,累计压裂液用量1 557.5 m3,单孔最大泵注压力19 MPa;压裂后单孔瓦斯抽采浓度及百米抽采纯量分别提升0.7~20.5倍、1.7~9.8倍;相比于普通钻孔,压裂孔瓦斯初始涌出强度提升2.1倍,钻孔瓦斯流量衰减系数降低39.6%。试验结果表明:采取水力压裂增透措施后,瓦斯抽采效果得到显著提升,煤层瓦斯可抽采性增加,为类似矿区低渗煤层瓦斯高效抽采提供了技术支撑。      

下伏煤层瓦斯压力消散数值模拟

平煤五矿己15煤层为低瓦斯煤层,下伏己16-17煤层为高瓦斯煤层,相对层间距比例1.0-4。己16-17煤层煤厚3.5m,为主采煤层。为降低己16-17煤层的瓦斯压力,实现安全高效生产,该矿以已15煤层为保护层,采用上保护层开采技术改变具有突出危险的煤层瓦斯赋存状态,降低被保护层的瓦斯压力。基于多孔介质流体流动理论,利用有限元数值模拟技术,模拟平顶山五矿超近上保护层的开挖过程,分析被保护煤层的瓦斯流动过程和煤层瓦斯压力的变化规律,论证保护层开采技术可以改变高突、高瓦斯煤层瓦斯赋存状态的可行性。     

顺煤层断层的基本特征及其地质意义

顺煤层断层是指顺煤层发育的断面与煤层层面的交角较小或近于平行的断层。它的主要识别标志是断层面、构造煤和煤层厚度的强烈变化。顺煤层断层可独立存在，也可与其它地质构造相互转换，相伴出现。顺煤层断层具有特殊的选层性，这一特征与煤体较低的力学强度、煤层瓦斯压力及形变期顺煤层的剪切作用有关。顺煤层断层在煤田中分布广泛，它所产生的构造煤是瓦斯高聚集区，亦是瓦斯突出的危险区，其研究意义重大。     

Computation of gas pressure profiles relevant to outbursting in coal mines

High gas pressure gradients in coal seams play an important role in the occurrence of outbursts during underground coal mining. Excess stress resulting from body forces due to high pressure gradients contributes to the structural failure of coal. We present a one-dimensional model of a dry, rigid coal seam with a moving mine face and determine gas pressures by solving the nonlinear equation for gas flow in a porous medium. An implicit finite difference scheme is used. Since the structure of coal has a dual porosity nature, we consider flow through both the macropores and the micropores. We investigate the effect of changes in mining velocity, idle mining periods and coal properties on the pressure profile in the coal seam. When the yield zone behind the moving mine face is taken into account, the greatest body force occurs on the least competent section of the coal seam.     

An experimental and numerical investigation on the deformation of overlying coal seams above double-seam extraction for controlling coal mine methane emissions

This study investigates the deformation and the resultant pressure relief of highly gassy coal seams where a double seam mining operation takes place at lower depths at the Wulan Coal Mine, China. In order to predict the depressurization effect in the overlying coal seams, we simulate the extraction process by constructing a scaled model in the laboratory using similar rock materials. Analyses of experimental results concluded that due to the mining-induced stress redistribution, the pressure within target coal seams, which were 109 m above the mined seams, could be fully relieved to attain the statutory approval for gas drainage.In addition to scaled-model studies, computational modeling studies were conducted using UDEC (Universal Distinct Element Code), which showed that the features of deformation resulting from the double-seam extraction were different from that of in the case of single-seam extraction. The results of the numerical studies revealed that in addition to the panel margin on the air return side, areas near the intake entry could also be considered as borehole drilling positions. Besides, it was found that the gob of the extracted seams below the gassy one provided a “buffering effect” for the would-mined protective coal seam and that the depressurization effect was largely weakened.The laboratorial findings are instructive to the field practice of methane drainage. During the mining operation, a “displacement comparison method” was adopted to measure the dilated amount of protected coal seams, and as expected, the maximum dilation percentage was much more than 0.2% — the critical value upon which the target coal seam is appropriately depressurized to allow gas drainage to be safely and effectively implemented.     

Gas outburst disasters and the mining technology of key protective seam in coal seam group in the Huainan coalfield

Coal and gas outburst disasters in coal seams are becoming more serious as coal mines extend deeper underground in China. To aid gas control in high-gas outburst coal seam group, this study performed research based on the geological conditions of the Xinzhuangzi coal mine in the Huainan coalfield. The laws of gas occurrence, the strength of the coal outburst, and the regional partition were studied. Simultaneously, we introduced the key protective seam mining technology and confirmed the mining sequence of coal seam groups. The results indicate that (1) each seam absorbs gas well, and the currently measured gas content is up to 15.0 m³/t. (2) Although some differences about coal seams outburst intensity remain, the differences in the same group are very small. (3) The coal seam B10 was chosen as the key protective seam and was mined first; then adjacent seams were mined from bottom to top by layer within the roof of B10 and from top-to-bottom within the floor of B10 to guarantee each adjacent coal seam received the good effects of pressure-relief and increasing permeability. (4) The main methods of gas extraction in each protected seam are surface boreholes and net-like penetrating boreholes in the floor roadway, and related technical parameters were determined according to the degree of pressure-relief in coal seam. This in situ experiment indicates a method aiding the gas control problem and guaranteeing safe and highly efficient exploitation of high-gas outburst seams.     

Experimental study of the movement of backfilling gangues for goaf in steeply inclined coal seams

For the coal mining with flexible shield supports which is used widely in the exploitation of steeply inclined coal seams, a method with which to backfill enough gangues efficiently in goaf is the key to meet the control requirements for the roof. In order to research the movement of gangues in goaf and the factors influencing backfilling effects, an experimental device for the movement of gangues for backfilling the goaf in steeply inclined coal seams was designed. The movement trajectory of gangues was monitored and was divided into three stages. Gangue movement characteristic under different engineering condition was studied, which showed that the backfilling rate of gangues in the goaf of steeply inclined coal seams is positively correlated to the dip angle of the coal seam and the mining thickness, while being negatively correlated to the grain size of the gangues and the deformation of the roof.     

Effect of bedding structural diversity of coal on permeability evolution and gas disasters control with coal mining

Bedding structure has affected gas flow in coal seam greatly, which also controls gas permeation direction and gas extraction results, and finally it has tremendous influence on prevention and control of gas disaster accidents. Combined with engineering practice of gas disaster prevention and control in China, in this paper, permeability evolution of nature coal in different bedding directions in the condition of loading is studied, and the results showed that in three directions of bedding fractures, permeability of coal which is parallel to bedding planes is the highest; it would be much easier for gas percolation along the bedding planes than other directions. In the unloading process, tension–shear destruction appears in coal sample which is oblique to bedding along the bedding planes, with a sudden increase in permeability. It is difficult for the crack damage from loading process to recover in unloading process, that is, permeability of unloading isn’t just a simple reverse process of loading. Combined with the permeability evolution of the three coal samples in the whole process, three permeability evolution models which include elasticity, plasticity and fracture are proposed. Based on the experimental results, gas extraction using boreholes along coal seam and through coal seam is compared during depressurized mining. Due to the bedding structure of coal seam, a large area of fracture network of “boreholes–bedding fractures” is formed among boreholes through coal seam and bedding structure, which makes the good effect of gas extraction using boreholes through coal seam. Research results will be of important guiding significance for choosing the best gas extraction scheme, layout of setting parameters of drilling boreholes and gas disaster prevention in the underground coal mine.     

Numerical simulation on tendency mining fracture evolution characteristics of overlying strata and coal seams above working face with large inclination angle and mining depth

In order to master the tendency mining-fracture-evolution characteristics of overlying strata and coal seams above working face with large inclination angle and mining depth in mining process, the 1221 working face in Zhao mine is selected as the engineering background and a mathematical model is established. The displacement variation, stress and strain of overlying strata and coal seams are simulated by using ANSYS software. In the mining process, the movement characteristics, displacement variation laws and fracture evolution characteristics of overlying strata and coal seams above working face with large inclination angle and mining depth along inclination direction are discussed. Simulation results show that with the advance of working face, the fracture development of overlying strata and coal seams is larger and larger; the area of gob is gradually expanding and the transverse stress of overlying strata and coal seams is also expanding. Stress contour of overlying strata and coal seams at both ends of gob becomes denser and denser; the activity of the overlying strata and coal seams near the up-roadway side of the gob is violent. The pressure relief zone is formed in the upper part of the strata and the roof above the gob. Large inclination angle of coal seam results in larger supporting pressure in the underside of the gob and smaller supporting pressure in the upper side of the gob. Along the inclination direction of the working face, the pressure relief zone is mainly concentrated in the outlet roadway of the working face; the fracture development and strata separation are obvious, which offer good passage for gas flow and migration.     

Stress distribution characteristic analysis and control of coal and gas outburst disaster in a pressure-relief boundary area in protective layer mining

Coal and gas outburst disasters in coal seams are becoming more serious as coal mines extend deeper underground in China. Furthermore, the protective coal seam mining technology featured by economic efficiency has been proven to be the most effective and widely applied method for the prevention of coal and gas outburst disasters. However, the determinations of the protective area coal and gas outburst prevention in a pressure-relief boundary area are fundamental issues that research should be focused on. The technical method for determining stress distribution in pressure-relief boundary area during protective coal seam mining is put forward in this paper. The method is based on a stress-seepage coupled relationship within a gas-containing coal seam. The method includes complex lab experiments and on-site measurements at the Qingdong Coal Mine. The final data illustrate that the permeability and vertical stress in the pressure-relief boundary area of the coal sample form a negative exponential function relationship. Additionally, the permeability of the coal sample within the abovementioned area is significantly different compared with that located at the center of the pressure-relief area. In the pressure-relief boundary area, the gas pressure distribution gradient is 0.0375 MPa/m, while the vertical stress distribution gradient registers 0.56 MPa/m. Under this condition, coal and gas outburst disasters are prone to be triggered. Therefore, effective precautions against coal and gas outburst disasters can be put forward in accordance with stress distribution characteristics within the abovementioned “boundary area.”     

贵州省煤层气(瓦斯)开发适用性技术分析

近年来在煤层气勘探开发实践中遇到诸多技术瓶颈,针对其中关键技术适用性开发问题,基于贵州地区煤储层呈薄煤层群赋存且构造复杂的地质背景,结合贵州地区煤层气成功开发、利用案例,提出了适用于贵州复杂地质条件下的煤层气开发及利用技术。贵州地区不同薄煤层群可根据实际间距情况采用光套管合层压裂、可捞式桥塞分段压裂等技术,煤层松软地区要加强防煤粉压裂技术及缝内转向技术的综合利用;松软低透煤层群应优选首采层,采动卸压后瓦斯抽采效果较好,同时加强定向长钻孔"以孔代巷"、松软煤层全程下套管、低透煤层CO₂相变致裂或水力割缝等技术的综合应用,实践证明可有效增强瓦斯抽采效果。      

煤层气井合层开发层间干扰分析与合采方法探讨 ——以平顶山首山一矿为例

多煤层合层开发是提高煤层气井单井产量的关键技术,然而工程实践中大部分煤层合采存在层间干扰问题,致使合采产气量提升不明显。为了提高合层开发煤层气井的产气量与开发效率,以平顶山首山一矿煤层气合采四2煤层和二1煤层为例,基于煤层气赋存的地质条件,分析了合采层间干扰的影响因素及干扰规律,并提出了煤层合层开发层间干扰的控制方法。结果表明:造成四2煤层和二1煤层合层排采产量低的主要因素是储层压力梯度、临界解吸压力和渗透率。其中,两层煤的储层压力梯度分别为1.05 MPa/hm和0.519 MPa/hm;渗透率分别为0.25×10–3 μm2和1.4×10–5 μm2;临界解吸压力分别为1.16~1.69 MPa和0.40~0.46 MPa;另外,两煤层间距大,平均170 m左右。以上主要影响因素差异,造成两层煤合采时层间矛盾突出,干扰严重,总体产量低,井组煤层气开发效率低。基于现状问题,探索提出大间距多煤层大井眼双套管分层控制合采工艺方法,以实现两层煤分开控制达到合采产能叠加的目标,从而提高煤层气井合采产量和开发效果。研究认识将为平顶山及类似地质条件的矿区多煤层煤层气高效合层排采提供新的技术途径。