Numerical modeling for analyzing thermal surface anomalies induced by underground coal fires

Coal seams burning underneath the surface are recognized all over the world and have drawn increasing public attention in the past years. Frequently, such fires are analyzed by detecting anomalies like increased exhaust gas concentrations and soil temperatures at the surface. A proper analysis presumes the understanding of involved processes, which determine the spatial distribution and dynamic behavior of the anomalies.In this paper, we explain the relevance of mechanical and energy transport processes with respect to the occurrence of temperature anomalies at the surface. Two approaches are presented, aiming to obtain insight into the underground coal fire situation: In-situ temperature mapping and numerical simulation. In 2000 to 2005, annual temperature mapping in the Wuda (Inner Mongolia, PR China) coal fire area showed that most thermal anomalies on the surface are closely related to fractures, where hot exhaust gases from the coal fire are released. Those fractures develop due to rock mechanical failure after volume reduction in the seams. The measured signals at the surface are therefore strongly affected by mechanical processes.More insight into causes and effects of involved energy transport processes is obtained by numerical simulation of the dynamic behavior of coal fires. Simulations show the inter-relation between release and transport of thermal energy in and around underground coal fires. Our simulation results show a time delay between the coal fire propagation and the observed appearance of the surface temperature signal. Additionally, the overall energy flux away from the burning coal seam into the surrounding bedrock is about 30-times higher than the flux through the surface. This is of particular importance for an estimation of the energy released based on surface temperature measurements. Finally, the simulation results also prove that a fire propagation rate estimated from the interpretation of surface anomalies can differ from the actual rate in the seam.     

Detection and delineation of coal mine fire in Jharia coal field,India using geophysical approach: A case study

Coal mine fire is a serious problem in Jharia coal field, India. The coal mine fire can be detected with different techniques such as borehole temperature measurement, thermo-compositional analysis, remote sensing techniques, thermo-graphic measurement and geophysical methods. In this study, various geophysical methods were used to detect the surface and subsurface coal mine fires. Geophysical techniques used in the present study are apparent resistivity, self-potential (SP), magnetic method and thermography. Geophysical anomalies such as low SP value of \(-60\hbox { mV}\), high negative magnetic response and low apparent resistivity value helped us to detect and delineate the fire and non-fire areas laterally as well as depthwise. Furthermore, the thermography survey was carried out in the coal field using thermal imaging camera in order to substantiate the geophysical methods. This integrated approach was found to be more advantageous for the detection and delineation of surface and subsurface fire with respect to use of any specific techniques. Moreover, the level of threat towards the locality, national railway line was also assessed unambiguously using the above techniques. Hence, proper planning and implementation towards the mitigation of hazard can be achieved on the basis of the reported results.     

Structural controls on coal fire distributions — Remote sensing based investigation in the Raniganj coalfield,West Bengal

Coal fires are serious problem in Raniganj coalfield as it is the case for some of the other coalfields of India like Jharia coalfield. Earlier efforts were made to map the coal fires of this coal-field based on satellite observation. But the restricted distribution of major coal fires in the particular portion of the coalfield makes the basis for finding the geological control if responsible for coal fire distribution. In present study, night time thermal data of ASTER (Advance spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer) is used to map the latest distribution (December, 2006) of coal fires in the Raniganj coalfield. Coal fire map shows that most significant zone affected by fire is at the north-western portion of the coalfield; where NE-trending open cast mines are affected by fire. This fire zone is associated with high grade coal of the Barakar Formation. Coal fires are also mapped in open cast pits of Jambad-Mangalpur area occurring over rocks of the Raniganj Formation. By integrating geological map and satellite-derived coal fire map of Raniganj coal field, it is observed that the coal fires detected by remote sensing study are spatially associated with intraformational faults. These faults may have played significant role in supplying oxygen to these coal-fires and allowing them to propagate down the depth along the trends of the faults.     

Relationship in metastasis of coal fire and land use/cover using thermal imagery and support vector machine classifier

The objective of the present study was to delineate temporal and spatial changes in the coal fire and land use/cover within Bastacolla area of Jharia coal field. Studying this variation helped to decipher interconnection among the dynamics of the coal fire and concomitant changes in land use/cover. The detection of coal fires during a span of 14 years along with transitioning land use/cover was cost-effective and enabled planning for management of coal resources and environment. Landsat series of satellite data of 2002, 2009, 2013, and 2016 were processed for generating land surface temperature profiles vis-a-vis classified land use/cover of the study area. A single cut-off temperature was derived for mapping of coal fires using land surface temperature profile from 2002 to 2016. The satellite images were classified using support vector machines, and for depicting land use/cover change, post-classification change detection was done. Classification accuracy obtained was excellent with kappa coefficient ranging from 0.897 for classified image of 2002 to 0.799 for classified image of 2016. Results revealed that coal fires had shifted to the central west part of the area. Furthermore, pockets of coal fire from northern and eastern part of the study area have diminished. OB dumps and coal quarry/coal dump may be attributed towards the spatial change in coal fire while; OB dumps showed connotation with the highest temperature zones. Ground verifications for temperature profiles and coal fires were carried out using thermal camera which enunciated good agreement with results.     

Applications of Remote Sensing Techniques in Coal Geology

Through applied researches, the regularity of thermal infrared radiation of the coal seams has been found, a model of thermal radiation of the coal seams established, and the internal relations of the information extracted from remote sensing images with coal seams and coal measures revealed. Through a series of complete tests of remote sensing techniques such as multi-level (space, aerial and ground) synchronous remote-sensing and multi-directional, multiband and multitemporal remote sensing, the optimal procedure for applications of remote sensing techniques in coal geology has been determined. The theories and methods established in the applied researches have yielded apparent economic results and social benefits in respect to coal field prediction, coal reconnaissance, coal geological surveys and detection of geological hazards in coal mines.     

基于分形理论确定地下煤层自燃火区范围

探测地下煤层自燃火区位置与范围较为有效的方法是地面氡气测量。针对传统地面氡气测量方法存在特定条件限制、地球化学意义不明显的不足,通过分析地下煤层自燃火区地面测氡采集到的数据,分别应用传统方法和分形理论的含量-总量法、含量-周长法确定氡值的异常下限。通过比较三者确定的异常下限以及所圈定火区范围的不同,发现分形方法圈定的火区范围更加合理。      

煤田自燃烧失量的计算方法探讨

在定量分析地面红外辐射温度与地面热流密度的基础上,归纳了二者之间的相互关系,探讨了根据地面的红外辐射温度计算地面热流密度和煤田自燃烧失量的方法,在此基础上提出利用陆地卫星LandsatTM第六波段计算煤田自燃烧失量的方法.     

Downward continuation and tilt derivative of magnetic data for delineation of concealed coal fire in East Basuria Colliery,Jharia coal field,India

The present study deals with the characterization of subsurface coal fires of East Basuria colliery in Jharia coal field, India using tilt derivative and downward continuation of magnetic data. Magnetic data processing methods such as diurnal correction, noise removal, reduction to pole, tilt derivative and downward continuation have been used to process the data and for the interpretation of results on the basis of magnetic properties of overlying materials which change with the temperature variation above or below the Curie temperature. Most of the magnetic anomalies are associated with coal fire and non-coal fire regions which are correlated with tilt-derivative anomaly and corresponding downward-continued anomaly at different depths. The subsequent surface and subsurface characteristics are explained with good agreement. Approximate source depth of principal anomaly inferred from tilt derivatives method are corroborated with multi-seam occurrences, mine working levels and surface manifestation which are also correlated well with 3D model of downward continued anomaly distribution.     

Multi-sensor data fusion for the detection of underground coal fires

The spontaneous combustion of coal causes widespread underground coal fires in several countries, amongst which is China. These coal fires cause serious environmental, economic and safety problems. In northern China, the coal fires occur within a wide region stretching 5000 km east-west and 750 km north-south. Remote sensing therefore provides an ideal tool for monitoring this environmental hazard over such a large and remote area. As part of a research project to detect, measure, monitor and extinguish these coal fires, this paper describes a remote-sensing-based multi-sensor data-fusion methodology for detecting the underground fires. The methodology is based on fusing a variety of satellite-based image types (optical, thermal, microwave) together with airborne data (optical and thermal infrared) and ancillary data sources such as geological and topographic maps. The results of the remote-sensing data fusion are presented, using pixel-based, feature-based and decision-based fusion approaches.     

首批煤炭国家规划矿区煤中镓的成矿前景

基于煤炭资源勘探中获得的5079件煤样实测数据,对全国首批煤炭国家规划矿区煤中Ga进行了资源调查,建立了煤中Ga成矿前景评价方法,固定了煤中Ga的地球化学异常,预测了煤中Ga的资源状况及其分布规律,初步讨论了煤中Ga“矿床”的规模和成矿前景。结果显示,评价区煤中Ga尽管总体上没有达到边界工业品位,但某些勘查区某些层煤中存在Ga的地球化学异常,某些煤层通过初步“选矿”或提取可使Ga得到相当程度的富集,表明区内煤中Ga有一定的成矿前景。     

煤田测井中煤层的定性及定厚解释技术应用

选择使用观测钻孔内3种(含3种)以上有效的煤田测井物性参数,分析和对比所有曲线表现的异常特征,从中发现煤层与围岩的突出特性,达到对目的层的定性解释,而定厚解释是重点利用视电阻率和γ-γ曲线异常的典型特征值,确定煤层的深度、厚度和结构,有时还利用诸物性参数曲线异常的形态特征、标志层、对比方法,对个别煤层进行定位定论。     

鄂尔多斯盆地兴县地区煤层气地球化学特征及成因

煤层气化学组分、甲烷碳氢同位素特征对煤层气成因、分布规律和煤层气资源评价具有重要意义。为了查明河东煤田北部兴县地区山西组、太原组煤层甲烷及二氧化碳成因，采集研究区煤层气井解吸气样，通过组分分析、CH₄碳氢同位素和CO₂碳同位素测试，根据煤层气成因图版，分析了煤层气稳定同位素的地质影响因素，揭示了研究区煤层气成因。结果表明，区内主力煤层的甲烷碳同位素存在明显差异:8煤甲烷δ13C₁值介于-55.1‰~-44.2‰，平均为-49.2‰；13煤δ13C₁值介于-65.7‰~-55.7‰，平均为-59.8‰。同一煤层内甲烷碳同位素呈现出随煤层埋深增加而变重、随水动力条件增强变轻的特点；甲烷碳同位素偏轻，重烃组分偏少，表明受到一定因素或次生作用的影响。8煤以热成因气为主，13煤以次生生物成因气为主。研究区8煤δ13C （CO₂）介于-17.3‰~-4.8‰，13煤δ13C （CO₂）介于-26.3‰~-6.9‰，二氧化碳为煤热演化初期或最近一次煤层抬升再沉降后煤中有机质热裂解产生。研究成果为明确该区煤层气勘探开发方向提供了理论依据。      

高精度磁测在陕北煤田火烧区的应用

通过对陕北某井田实测地面高精度磁测异常的解译,总结利用高精度磁测有效圈定煤层自燃边界的方法和经验,并通过钻孔加以验证,为以后此类工作提供了借鉴.     

Classification of coal seams with respect to their spontaneous heating susceptibility—a neural network approach

The paper presents the application of adaptive resonance theory of artificial neural networks (ANN) for classification of coal seams with respect to their proneness to spontaneous heating. In order to apply this technique, 31 coal samples have been collected from different Indian coalfields covering both fiery and non-fiery coal seams of varying ranks spreading over 8 different mining companies. The intrinsic properties of these samples have been determined by carrying out proximate, ultimate and petrographic analyses. The susceptibility indices of these samples have been studied by five different methods, viz. crossing point temperature, differential thermal analysis, critical air blast analysis, wet oxidation potential difference analysis and differential scanning calorimetric studies. Exhaustive correlation studies between susceptibility indices and the intrinsic properties have been carried out for identifying the appropriate spontaneous heating susceptibility indices and intrinsic properties to be used for classification of coal seams. The identified parameters are used as inputs and adaptive resonance theory of ANN has been applied to classify the coal seams into four different categories. This classification system will help the planners and practising mining engineers to take ameliorative measures in advance to prevent the occurrence of fire in mines.     

测井曲线在杭东勘查区煤炭普查煤岩层对比中的应用

杭东普查区煤层产状平缓,构造简单,但由于含煤地层为陆相沉积,煤层层数多、厚度、间距变化大,沉积岩相变化快、大范围内缺乏稳定的对比标志层,因此煤岩层对比是本区勘查需要重点解决的难题。通过对比杭东普查区与邻区200余孔的测井资料,分析煤岩层在各种测井曲线的异常特征与异常组合规律,确定了对煤岩层对比有重大意义的标志层,如延长组与上覆延安组的典型视电阻率异常分界;延安组在高视电阻率曲线上的“树杆”状凸起特征;安定组视电阻率曲线近直线的低值形态;4-1煤在视电阻率曲线上呈现出的“斜坡”状或“刀”状高异常,以及在自然伽玛曲线上的“凹坑”特征;侏罗系中统直罗组的高伽马异常,等等。这些典型特征保证了该区煤岩层对比可靠性,为提交优质地质勘查报告发挥了重要作用。     

淮南矿区潘北矿A组煤层首采工作面开采地质条件探查分析

淮南矿区A组煤层进入开采实施阶段,潘北矿A3层工作面作为全区首采面,其安全开采地质条件评价至关重要。针对矿区A组煤层特殊的地质条件,综合钻探及地球物理探查成果,运用无线电波透视以及三维并行电法技术,对潘北矿A3层首采工作面的煤层、构造及水文地质条件进行了分析与评价。其中无线电波透视技术解释工作面内7处构造异常,其中1处异常断层及裂隙发育、局部煤层变薄,对回采影响很大;并行电法技术发现顶板异常5处、底板异常3处,根据异常范围,分别圈定顶板3处、底板2处为重点防治水区域。该结论经钻孔验证可靠性较高。     

中国北方地下煤层发火概率统计分析

二项逻辑回归模型能够弥补样本量小、自变量类型不统一等不足, 对因变量数据假设的要求较低, 可用来预测具有二分特点的因变量概率值。以新疆现存的地下煤火火点与随机生成的控制点作为建立回归方程的样本, 以煤质指标中的灰分、挥发分、硫分、发热量, 煤层上覆岩层的地质年代、地表坡度与深大断裂带的分布, 以及干燥度、人口密度与矿区的管理水平等11个指标作为自变量, 以火点为1与控制点为0作为因变量值, 运用二项逻辑回归模型建立回归方程, 并预测了中国北方11个省区的地下煤层发火(地下煤火)概率。结果显示, 研究区内地下煤火发火概率的分布局势总体上为:东部等级高且集中;西部等级较低;在各大煤田中, 极高与高等级发火概率均有分布。经验证, 研究结果精度可达67.7%左右, 且预测高发区与原煤火发生区域相当匹配, 中国北方地下煤火的发火概率等级分布图可以作为灭火工程实施与火区治理的参考。      

Dating of coal fires in Xinjiang, north-west China

Coal fires in China consume vast amounts of fuel and cause serious environmental problems. Most of these coal fires are related to mining activity. However, naturally produced palaeo coal fires in Xinjiang, north‐west China, have been recognized via burnt rocks. The burnt rocks in the study area are found at different river terraces underlying unburnt alluvial and river terrace deposits. Several age groups of coal fires have been identified based on the positions of burnt rocks at river terraces and the relationship between the burnt rocks and the terrace deposits. These palaeo coal fires are: (1) Pliocene – Early Quaternary in age at 200 m above present river terrace deposits; (2) Middle Pleistocene in age, at > 90 m; (3) Late Pleistocene, at 90–70 m; (4) Holocene; (5) burnt rocks relating to active coal fires. Palaeomagnetic data of the burnt rocks from different terraces give normal remanent magnetization and help further to constrain the ages of the coal fires.     

金沙龙凤煤矿测井曲线特征及其在煤岩层对比中的应用

龙凤煤矿含煤地层为海陆交互相的上二叠统龙潭组,含4号、5号、9号和13号四层可采煤层,其中5号煤层和9号煤层间距较小,煤层特征差异不明显,部分钻孔5号煤层和9号煤层的对比难度较大。根据所掌握的地质资料,结合测井成果,总结出该矿区所特有的测井曲线特征：煤系地层龙潭组的上覆地层夜郎组和长兴组分界处自然伽马和视电阻率曲线界面陡直特征;5号煤层顶板的自然伽马高异常与9号煤层底板的自然伽马高异常特征;13号煤层顶板的自然伽马高异常与15号煤层相对高自然伽马异常特征;15号煤层下伏地层茅口灰岩陡直视电阻率与自然伽马曲线特征。依据其测井曲线,准确的划分出二较厚煤层（约4m）、而相距仅6m的5煤层与9煤层。