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Spatial–Temporal Evolution and Countermeasures for Coal and Gas Outbursts Represented as a Dynamic System

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Abstract

The occurrence of dangerous coal and gas outbursts seriously threaten safety in underground coal mining. Thus, defining the spatio-temporal evolution of the mechanisms that contribute to these outbursts is of great significance in defining optimal countermeasures for outburst prevention. A dynamic system-based mechanism of coal and gas outbursts is proposed to define conditions that define the formation and instability criteria of outburst dynamics. A stress–damage–seepage coupled model is devised to represent gassy outbursts from the coal seam that couples elastic-damage and permeability evolution. Numerical solution of this coupling model is used to investigate the spatio-temporal evolution of coal and gas outbursts. The spatial scales of both the outburst system and the geological body are discussed, as well as countermeasures for prevention. We show that the outburst dynamic system comprises a gassy coal mass combined with a geo-dynamic environment and mining disturbance. The evolution through failure involves stages of initialization, formation, development then termination. The dynamic system forms when the mining damage zone and the tectonic damage zone coalesce. Stress transfer, gas migration, energy accumulation then release in the dynamic system are shown as key contributing features to the dynamic outburst, as well as the three-dimensional structure of the dynamic system and geological body. A released energy density greater than the required dissipation energy density is the key to determine whether an outburst can continue. This criterion defines countermeasures for outburst prevention that include unloading and depressurization, which either reduce the geo-stress or the gas pressure and content in the coal seam to avoid the instability criterion for the formation of the dynamic system.

Highlights

  • A stress-damage-seepage coupled model is derived to represent coal and gas outbursts.

  • The spatio-temporal evolution of coal and gas outbursts is investigated.

  • An energy based instability criteria is proposed to determine whether an outburst can continue.

  • Countermeasures for outburst prevention include unloading and depressurization.

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Data Availablity

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 52004117, 52174117 and 51674132), the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 2021T140290 and 2020M680975), the Discipline Innovation Team of Liaoning Technical University (Grant No. LNTU20TD-03), and the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province (Grant No. 2020-KF-13-05). Derek Elsworth acknowledges support from the G. Albert Shoemaker endowment.

Funding

This study was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China, 52004117, Chaojun Fan,52174117, Chaojun Fan,51674132, Chaojun Fan, Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China, 2021T140290,Chaojun Fan, 2020M680975, Chaojun Fan, Discipline Innovation Team of Liaoning Technical University, LNTU20TD-03, Sheng Li,Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province, 2020-KF-13-05, Chaojun Fan,G. Albert Shoemaker endowment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Coal Mine Safety Technology, China Coal Technology & Engineering Group Shenyang Research Institute, Shenyang, 113122, China

    Chaojun Fan & Weiwei Su

  2. College of Mining, Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin, 123000, China

    Chaojun Fan, Lingjin Xu, Sheng Li & Lijun Zhou

  3. Energy and Mineral Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Derek Elsworth

  4. Energy Business Department, Shanxi Lu’an Chemical Group, Changzhi, 046200, China

    Mingkun Luo

  5. School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China

    Ting Liu

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  1. Chaojun Fan
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Correspondence to Chaojun Fan.

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Fan, C., Xu, L., Elsworth, D. et al. Spatial–Temporal Evolution and Countermeasures for Coal and Gas Outbursts Represented as a Dynamic System. Rock Mech Rock Eng 56, 6855–6877 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-023-03429-6

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