Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Study of Effects of Hard Thick Roof on Gas Migration and Field Experiment of Roof Artificially Guided Pre-splitting for Efficient Gas Control

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Natural Resources Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Due to high gas content, high geo-stress and complex geological conditions, gas disasters occur frequently in deep coal mining. The hard thick roof (HTR) greatly increases the difficulty of coalbed gas control besides causing dynamic disasters. In this paper, the effects of HTR on gas migration were numerically analyzed based on a multi-field coupling model. Results indicated that the hanging arch leads to remarkable stress concentration and induces a “cap-shaped” low-permeable zone above the gob, which greatly prevents gas from migrating upwards. Meanwhile, HTR hinders the subsidence movements of the upper rock strata, contributing to very few roof fractures and bed-separated fractures. Without the formation of roof-fractured zone, coalbed gas completely loses the possibility of upward concentration and will accumulate in the gob, forming a major safety hazard. To overcome these problems, borehole artificially guided pre-splitting (BAGP) technology was proposed. Three different pre-splitting boreholes were constructed as a group to generate artificial fractures in advance in HTR via deep-hole blasting, promoting the evolution of roof fractures. With the effects of mining stress, a fracture network is eventually formed in HTR, which provides a preferential passage for the upward flow of coalbed gas. Moreover, the controllable breaking of HTR was achieved and the roof strata could deform and subside regularly, forming an “O-shaped” roof-fractured zone above the gob which greatly improves the gas extraction efficiency of roof high-level boreholes. In addition, after BAGP, several extraction measures can be applied in the gob-side entry to drain the gas in different concentrated areas. In the field experiment, the roof periodic breaking length was reduced by half, and the average gas extraction rate was increased by 4 times to 67.7%. The synergetic controls of HTR and coalbed gas were effectively realized. This study provides valuable insight into gas control in other deep coal mines with similar geological conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14
Figure 15
Figure 16
Figure 17
Figure 18
Figure 19

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aguado, M. B. D., & Nicieza, C. G. (2007). Control and prevention of gas outbursts in coal mines, Riosa–Olloniego coalfield, Spain. International Journal of Coal Geology,69(4), 253–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alehossein, H., & Poulsen, B. A. (2010). Stress analysis of longwall top coal caving. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,47(1), 30–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Y., Ma, G., Wang, H., & Li, T. (2018). Evaluation of geothermal development in fractured hot dry rock based on three dimensional unified pipe-network method. Applied Thermal Engineering,136, 219–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, Y.-P., Wang, L., & Zhang, X.-L. (2011). Environmental impact of coal mine methane emissions and responding strategies in China. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control,5(1), 157–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, Z., Xiang, X., Xu, J., & Wu, S. (2016). The characteristics and main influencing factors affecting coal and gas outbursts in Chinese Pingdingshan mining region. Natural Hazards,82(1), 507–530.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chilingar, G. V. (1964). Relationship between porosity, permeability, and grain-size distribution of sands and sandstones. In L. M. J. U. van Straaten (Ed.), Developments in sedimentology (Vol. 1, pp. 71–75). Elsevier.

  • Fisne, A., & Esen, O. (2014). Coal and gas outburst hazard in Zonguldak Coal Basin of Turkey, and association with geological parameters. Natural Hazards,74(3), 1363–1390.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guanhua, N., Hongchao, X., Shang, L., Qian, S., Dongmei, H., Yanying, C., et al. (2019a). The effect of anionic surfactant (SDS) on pore-fracture evolution of acidified coal and its significance for coalbed methane extraction. Advanced Powder Technology,30(5), 940–951.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guanhua, N., Kai, D., Shang, L., & Qian, S. (2019b). Gas desorption characteristics effected by the pulsating hydraulic fracturing in coal. Fuel,236, 190–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, H., Cao, S., Zhang, Y., & Wang, C. (2016). Analytical solutions of hard roof’s bending moment, deflection and energy under the front abutment pressure before periodic weighting. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology,26(1), 175–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin, H., Schimmelmann, A., Mastalerz, M., Pope, J., & Moore, T. A. (2010). Coalbed gas desorption in canisters: Consumption of trapped atmospheric oxygen and implications for measured gas quality. International Journal of Coal Geology,81(1), 64–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karampinos, E., Hadjigeorgiou, J., Hazzard, J., & Turcotte, P. (2015). Discrete element modelling of the buckling phenomenon in deep hard rock mines. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,80, 346–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klinkenberg, L. (1941). The permeability of porous media to liquids and gases. In Drilling and production practice, 1 January, New York, NY. American Petroleum Institute.

  • Kong, S., Cheng, Y., Ren, T., & Liu, H. (2014). A sequential approach to control gas for the extraction of multi-gassy coal seams from traditional gas well drainage to mining-induced stress relief. Applied Energy,131, 67–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kong, X., Wang, E., Liu, Q., Li, Z., Li, D., Cao, Z., et al. (2017). Dynamic permeability and porosity evolution of coal seam rich in CBM based on the flow-solid coupling theory. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering,40, 61–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konicek, P., Soucek, K., Stas, L., & Singh, R. (2013). Long-hole destress blasting for rockburst control during deep underground coal mining. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,61(2013), 141–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., Liu, Y., & Xu, Y. (2016). Gas diffusion mechanism in multi-scale pores of coal particles and new diffusion model of dynamic diffusion coefficient. Journal of China Coal Society,41, 633–643.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang, Y. (2007). Study on critical, modern technology for mining in gassy deep mines. Journal of China University of Mining and Technology,17(2), 226–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, H., & Cheng, Y. (2015). The elimination of coal and gas outburst disasters by long distance lower protective seam mining combined with stress-relief gas extraction in the Huaibei coal mine area. Journal of Natural Gas Science Engineering,27(part P1), 346–353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y., Shao, S., Wang, X., Chang, L., Cui, G., & Zhou, F. (2016). Gas flow analysis for the impact of gob gas ventholes on coalbed methane drainage from a longwall gob. Journal of Natural Gas Science,36, 1312–1325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu, S., Cheng, Y., Ma, J., & Zhang, Y. (2014). Application of in-seam directional drilling technology for gas drainage with benefits to gas outburst control and greenhouse gas reductions in Daning coal mine. China. Natural Hazards,73(3), 1419–1437.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lunarzewski, L. L. W. (1998). Gas emission prediction and recovery in underground coal mines. International Journal of Coal Geology,35(1–4), 117–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mechleri, E., Fennell, P. S., & Mac Dowell, N. (2017). Optimisation and evaluation of flexible operation strategies for coal-and gas-CCS power stations with a multi-period design approach. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control,59, 24–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng, K., Zhou, J., Zou, Q., Zhang, J., & Wu, F. (2019). Effects of stress lower limit during cyclic loading and unloading on deformation characteristics of sandstones. Construction Building Materials,217, 202–215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng, S. (2008). Present study and development trend of the deepen coal resource distribution and mining geologic evaluation. Coal,17(2), 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saharan, M. R., & Mitri, H. (2011). Destress blasting as a mines safety tool: Some fundamental challenges for successful applications. Procedia Engineering,26, 37–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sainoki, A., Emad, M. Z., & Mitri, H. S. (2016). Study on the efficiency of destress blasting in deep mine drift development. Canadian Geotechnical Journal,54(4), 518–528.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shen, W.-L., Bai, J.-B., Wang, X.-Y., & Yu, Y. (2016). Response and control technology for entry loaded by mining abutment stress of a thick hard roof. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,100(90), 26–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun, Z., Espinoza, D. N., & Balhoff, M. (2018a). Reservoir rock chemo-mechanical alteration quantified by triaxial tests and implications to fracture reactivation. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,106, 250–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun, Z., Tang, H., Espinoza, D. N., Balhoff, M. T., & Killough, J. (2018b). Discrete element modeling of grain crushing and implications on reservoir compaction. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering,171, 431–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, F., Tu, S., Yuan, Y., Feng, Y., Chen, F., & Tu, H. (2013). Deep-hole pre-split blasting mechanism and its application for controlled roof caving in shallow depth seams. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,64, 112–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J., & Wang, Z. (2015). Impact effect of dynamic load induced by roof in high-intensity mining face. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering,34(S2), 3987–3997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, W., Cheng, Y. P., Wang, H. F., Liu, H. Y., Wang, L., Li, W., et al. (2015). Fracture failure analysis of hard–thick sandstone roof and its controlling effect on gas emission in underground ultra-thick coal extraction. Engineering Failure Analysis,54, 150–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie, H., Gao, M., Zhang, R., Peng, G., Wang, W., & Li, A. (2019). Study on the mechanical properties and mechanical response of coal mining at 1000 m or deeper. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering,52(5), 1475–1490.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie, H., Ju, Y., Gao, F., Gao, M., & Zhang, R. (2017). Groundbreaking theoretical and technical conceptualization of fluidized mining of deep underground solid mineral resources. Tunnelling Underground Space Technology,67, 68–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, C., Fu, Q., Cui, X., Wang, K., Zhao, Y., & Cai, Y. (2019). Apparent-depth effects of the dynamic failure of thick hard rock strata on the underlying coal mass during underground mining. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering,52(5), 1565–1576.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, J., Zhai, C., Qin, L., & Yu, G. (2017). Evaluation research of the fracturing capacity of non-explosive expansion material applied to coal-seam roof rock. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,94, 103–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, W., Lin, B. Q., Qu, Y. A., Zhao, S., Zhai, C., Jia, L. L., et al. (2011). Mechanism of strata deformation under protective seam and its application for relieved methane control. International Journal of Coal Geology,85(3–4), 300–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Y., & Liu, S. J. F. (2019). Estimation and modeling of pressure-dependent gas diffusion coefficient for coal: A fractal theory-based approach. Fuel,253, 588–606.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Z., Wang, W., Dong, M., Wang, J., Li, Y., Gong, H., et al. (2016). A model of dynamic adsorption–diffusion for modeling gas transport and storage in shale. Fuel,173, 115–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yasitli, N. E., & Unver, B. (2005). 3D numerical modeling of longwall mining with top-coal caving. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,42(2), 219–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ye, Q., Jia, Z., & Zheng, C. (2017). Study on hydraulic-controlled blasting technology for pressure relief and permeability improvement in a deep hole. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering,159, 433–442.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ye, Q., Wang, G., Jia, Z., Zheng, C., & Wang, W. (2018). Similarity simulation of mining-crack-evolution characteristics of overburden strata in deep coal mining with large dip. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering,165, 477–487.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yin, G., Li, M., Wang, J. G., Jiang, X., & Li, W. (2015). Mechanical behavior and permeability evolution of gas infiltrated coals during protective layer mining. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,80, 292–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, L. (2016). Control of coal and gas outbursts in Huainan mines in China: A review. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering,8(4), 559–567.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J., Li, B., Nan, Z., & Qiang, Z. (2016). Application of solid backfilling to reduce hard-roof caving and longwall coal face burst potential. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,88, 197–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, W., Cheng, Y., Pan, Z., Wang, K., & Liu, S. J. F. (2019). Gas diffusion in coal particles: A review of mathematical models and their applications. Fuel,252, 77–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, C., Kizil, M. S., Chen, Z., & Aminossadati, S. M. (2018). Role of multi-seam interaction on gas drainage engineering design for mining safety and environmental benefits: Linking coal damage to permeability variation. Process Safety and Environmental Protection,114, 310–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, H., Yang, Q., Cheng, Y., Ge, C., & Chen, J. (2014). Methane drainage and utilization in coal mines with strong coal and gas outburst dangers: A case study in Luling mine, China. Journal of Natural Gas Science Engineering,20(2), 357–365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, S., Feng, Y., & Jiang, F. (2016). Determination of abutment pressure in coal mines with extremely thick alluvium stratum: A typical kind of rockburst mines in China. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering,49(5), 1943–1952.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, W., Wei, C., Li, S., Wei, J., & Zhang, M. (2013). Numerical modeling on destress blasting in coal seam for enhancing gas drainage. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences,59, 179–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zou, Q., & Lin, B. (2018). Fluid–solid coupling characteristics of gas-bearing coal subjected to hydraulic slotting: An experimental investigation. Energy & Fuels,32(2), 1047–1060.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the financial support from the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2017CXNL02); the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD). Meanwhile, we sincerely appreciate that editors and reviewers spend their precious time reviewing this paper and giving critical and valuable comments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Coal Methane and Fire Control, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, China

    Tong Liu, Baiquan Lin, Wei Yang, Ting Liu & Wei Zha

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

    Tong Liu, Baiquan Lin, Wei Yang, Ting Liu & Wei Zha

  3. Pingdingshan Coal Mine Group 12, Shenma Industrial Co Ltd, Pingdingshan, 467000, Henan, China

    Wu Xiao

Authors
  1. Tong Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Baiquan Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wei Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ting Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Wu Xiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Wei Zha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tong Liu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liu, T., Lin, B., Yang, W. et al. Study of Effects of Hard Thick Roof on Gas Migration and Field Experiment of Roof Artificially Guided Pre-splitting for Efficient Gas Control. Nat Resour Res 29, 1819–1841 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-019-09531-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-019-09531-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation