Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Simulation of mine water inflow and gas emission during longwall mining

  • Published:
Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Reliable prediction of rock mass deformation, mine stability, mine water inflow and mine gas emission is not only essential for improving mine safety and reduction of coal production costs, but also important for the assessment of environmental impact of mining. This prediction requires the accurate simulation of complex, highly non-linear and irreversible processes including the mechanics of rock deformation and failure due to coal mining and the consequent water flow and gas desorption and flow.

This paper describes a three-dimensional numerical model, called COSFLOW. It uses a Cosserat continuum approach for the efficient description of mechanical stress changes and deformation in weak layered rock, typical of coal measures. This mechanical model is coupled with a two-phase dual porosity fluid flow model to describe flow of water and gas through porous rock, desorption/adsorption of gas from the matrix and subsequent flow of water and gas through the fracture network. The coupling includes simulation of permeability and porosity changes with rock deformation.

The numerical model is used to simulate water inflow and gas emission in two Australian mines. The model is calibrated using existing extensive mine water inflow and gas emission measurements and used to make predictions for future longwall panels. Comparisons of numerical predictions with later mine measurements of water inflow and gas emission demonstrate the suitability of such a code in accurately predicting mine water inflow and gas emission into a coal mine.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • DP Adhikary AV Dyskin (1997) ArticleTitleA Cosserat continuum model for layered media Comput Geotech 20 IssueID1 15–45 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0266-352X(96)00011-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DP Adhikary AV Dyskin (1998) ArticleTitleA continuum model of layered rock masses with non-associative joint plasticity Int J Numer Anal Meth Geomech 22 IssueID4 245–261 Occurrence Handle10.1002/(SICI)1096-9853(199804)22:4<245::AID-NAG916>3.0.CO;2-R

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DP Adhikary H Guo (2002) ArticleTitleAn orthotropic Cosserat elasto-plastic model for layered rocks Rock Mech Rock Engng 35 IssueID3 161–170 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00603-001-0020-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H Alehossein JP Carter (1990) On the implicit and explicit inclusion of joints in the analysis of rock masses HP Rossmanith (Eds) Mechanics of jointed and faulted rocks Balkema Rotterdam 487–494

    Google Scholar 

  • M Bai D Elsworth (1994) ArticleTitleModeling of subsidence and stress-dependent hydraulic conductivity for intact and fractured porous media Rock Mech Rock Engng 27 IssueID4 209–234 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01020200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharya AK, Gurtunca RG (1984) Investigation of Subsurface Subsidence. NERDP End of Grant Report No. 278

  • Choi SK, Wold MB, Wood J (1997) Modelling of interburden gas flows at Appin Colleiry. Symposium on Safety on Mines: The Role of Geology, November 24–25, pp 105–117

  • E Cosserat F Cosserat (1909) Theorie des corps deformables Hermann Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • RJM De Wiest (Eds) (1969) Flow through porous media Academic Press London 530

    Google Scholar 

  • D Elsworth (1989) ArticleTitleThermal permeability enhancement of blocky rocks: one dimensional flows Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 26 IssueID3/4 329–339 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0148-9062(89)91981-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Esterhuizen GS, Karacan CO (2006) Development of numerical models to investigate permeability changes and gas emission around longwall mining panel. NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory Research Report, p 13

  • Forster I, Enever J (1992) Hydrogeological response of overburden strata to underground mining. Office of Energy Report, Vol. 1, p 104

  • Galvin JM (1987a) Surface subsidence mechanisms – theory and practice. Part I – Theory. Coal J (16): 31–41

  • Galvin JM (1987b) Surface subsidence mechanisms – theory and practice. Part 2 – Practice. Coal J (17): 11–25

  • CM Gerrard (1982) ArticleTitleElastic models of rock masses having one, tow and three sets of joints Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 19 15–23 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0148-9062(82)90706-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CM Gerrard GN Pande (1985) ArticleTitleNumerical modelling of reinforced jointed rock masses – I Theor Comput Geotech 1 293–318 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0266-352X(85)90005-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MK Hubbert (1940) ArticleTitleThe theory of ground water motion J Geol 48 785–944

    Google Scholar 

  • WA Kapp RC Williams (1972) Extraction of coal in the Sydney basin from beneath large bodies of water AusIMM Newcastle. N.S.W. 77–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Z Kesseru (1984) ArticleTitleEmpirical and theoretical methods for designing soft semi-permeable protective Barriers Int J Mine Water 3 IssueID2 1–13 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF02504599

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King GR, Ertekin TM (1989a) A survey of mathematical models related to methane production from coal seams. Part I – Empirical and equilibrium sorption models. Int. Coalbed Methane Symp., pp 125–138

  • King GR, Ertekin TM (1989b) A survey of mathematical models related to methane production from coal seams. Part II – Non-equilibrium sorption models. Int. Coalbed Methane Symp., pp 139–155

  • King GR, Ertekin TM (1991) State-of-the-art modelling for unconventional gas recovery, SPE Formation Evaluation, pp 63–71

  • King GR, Ertekin TM (1994) A survey of mathematical models related to methane production for coal seams. Part III – Recent developments (1989–1994). Proc. of the Int. Coalbed Methane Extraction Conf., pp 124–128

  • King GR, Ertekin TM (1995) State-of-the-art modelling for unconventional gas recovery, Part II – recent developments (1989–1994). SPE papers 29575, Rocky Mountain Region Low Permeability Reservoir Symp. and Exhibition, pp 173–191

  • Kolesar J, Ertekin TM (1986) The unsteady-state nature of sorption and diffusion phenomena in the micropore structure of coal. SPE Unconventional Gas Technology Symposium, Kentucky, pp 289–314

  • Kozeny J, Ber S (1927) Wiener Akad, Abt. 2a, 136,271

  • WC Krumbein GD Monk (1943) ArticleTitlePermeability as a function of the size parameters of unconsolidated sand Trans Am Inst Min Metall Petrol Engng 151 153–163

    Google Scholar 

  • I Langmuir (1916) ArticleTitleThe constitution and fundamental properties of solids and liquids J Am Chem Soc 38 2221–2295 Occurrence Handle10.1021/ja02268a002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lifshitz IM, Rosenzweig LN (1946) On the theory of elastic properties of polycrystals, JETP, Vol. 16 (11), and Lettet to the editor. On the theory of elastic polycrystals. JETP, Vol. 21 (10)

  • J Liu D Elsworth (1997) ArticleTitleThree-dimensional effects of hydraulic conductivity enhancement and desaturation around mined panels Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 34 IssueID8 1139–1152 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0148-9062(97)00299-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Louis C (1969) Groundwater flow in rock masses and its influence on stability. Rock Mech. Res. Report 10, Imperial College, UK

  • Lowndes IS, Reddish DJ, Ren TX, Whittles DN, Hargreaves DM (2002) Improved modelling to support the prediction of gas migration and emission from active longwall workings. Mine Ventilation, Proc. of the North American/Ninth US mine ventilation Symposium, Canada, June 8–12, pp 267–272

  • Neate CJ, Whittaker BN (1979) Influence of proximity of longwall mining on strata permeability and groundwater. 20th U.S. Symp. on Rock Mech., Austin, Texas, June 4–6, pp 217–224

  • Reid P (1996) Effect of mining permeability of rock strata in the Southern Coalfield. Symp. on Geology in Longwall Mining, November 12–13, pp 273–280

  • St Ropski RD Lama (1973) ArticleTitleSubsidence in the near-vicinity of a longwall face Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 10 105–118 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0148-9062(73)90050-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J Rutqvist Y-S Wu C-F Tsang G Bodvarsson (2002) ArticleTitleA modelling approach for analysis of coupled multiphase fluid flow, heat transfer, and deformation in fractured porous rock Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 39 IssueID4 429–442

    Google Scholar 

  • MDG Salamon (1968) ArticleTitleElastic moduli of stratified rock mass Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 5 519–527 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0148-9062(68)90039-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwerer FC (1984) Development of coal-gas production simulators and mathematical models for well-test strategies. Gas Research Institute Final Report No. GRI-84/0060, Chicago, Illinois

  • Seedman R (1996) A review of the hydrogeological aspects of Australian longwalls. Symp. on Geology in Longwall Mining, November 12–13, pp 269–272

  • Singh MM, Kendorski FS (1981) Strata disturbance prediction for mining beneath surface water and waste impoundments. Proc. 1st Conf. on Ground Control in Mining, West Virginia University, pp 76–89

  • RN Singh (1986) ArticleTitleMine inundations Int J Mine Water 5 IssueID2 1–28 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF02498098

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith DM, Williams FL (1984) Diffusional effects in the recovery methane from coalbeds. SPE Journal, pp 529–535

  • JA Wang HD Park (2003) ArticleTitleCoal mining above a confined aquifer Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 40 537–551 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S1365-1609(03)00029-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wardell K (1975) Mining under tidal waters. Report to N.S.W. Ministry for Mines and Power

  • J Zhang (2004) ArticleTitleInvestigations of water inrushes from aquifers under coal seams Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 42 350–360 Occurrence Handle10.1007/978-1-4020-2116-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • OC Zienkiewicz GN Pande (1977) ArticleTitleTime dependent multilaminate model of rocks – a numerical study of deformation and failure of rock masses Int J Numer Anal Meth Geomech 1 219–247 Occurrence Handle10.1002/nag.1610010302

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIRO Exploration and Mining, QLD, Australia

    H. Guo, D. P. Adhikary & M. S. Craig

Authors
  1. H. Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. P. Adhikary
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. S. Craig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. P. Adhikary.

Additional information

Correspondence: Dr. D. P. Adhikary, CSIRO Exploration and Mining, Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies, Kenmore, QLD 4069, Australia

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Guo, H., Adhikary, D. & Craig, M. Simulation of mine water inflow and gas emission during longwall mining. Rock Mech Rock Eng 42, 25–51 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-008-0168-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-008-0168-9

Search

Navigation