scholarly journals Longwall Top-Coal Caving Mechanism and Cavability Optimization with Hydraulic Fracturing in Thick Coal Seam: A Case Study

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 4832
Author(s):  
Zhaohui Wang ◽  
Yuesong Tang ◽  
Hao Gong
Keyword(s):  
Coal Seam ◽  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Shear Failure ◽  
Tensile Failure ◽  
Hydraulic Fractures ◽  
Thick Coal Seam ◽  
Face Length ◽  
The Face ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
Longwall Top Coal Caving

Longwall top-coal caving mechanisms and cavability optimization with hydraulic fracturing are analysed in this study. Based on the geological and geotechnical conditions of the Dongzhouyao coal mine, it is revealed that top-coal failure mechanisms are dominated by both compressive and tensile stresses. Ahead of the face line, shear failure initiates at the lower level of the top-coal and propagates to the upper level. Compressive stress-induced damage leads to obvious deterioration in tensile strength, causing the onset of tensile failure in the top-coal behind the face line. Accumulated plastic strain (APS) is selected as a top-coal cavability indicator. The cavability degrades gradually at the higher elevation of the top-coal while it is greatly strengthened as the top-coal approaches closer to the face line. In a thick coal seam without hydraulic fractures, the maximum APS occurs at the middle section of the face length in the Longwall top-coal caving (LTCC) panel. After hydraulic fracturing, top-coal cavability is significantly enhanced. But the spatial distribution of the APS transitions from uniform to non-uniform type due to the existence of hydraulic fractures, causing great variety in the cavability along the panel width. With increasing fracture intensity and fracture size, the failure zone expands significantly ahead of the longwall face, which means the cavability becomes increasingly favourable.

scholarly journals A numerical simulation of realistic top coal caving intervals under different top coal thicknesses in longwall top coal caving working face

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuang Liu ◽  
Huamin Li
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Coal Seam ◽  
Distinct Element ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Thick Coal Seam ◽  
Coal Recovery ◽  
Working Face ◽  
Longwall Top Coal Caving ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract In the process of longwall top coal caving, the selection of the top coal caving interval along the advancing direction of the working face has an important effect on the top coal recovery. To explore a realistic top coal caving interval of the longwall top coal caving working face, longwall top coal caving panel 8202 in the Tongxin Coal Mine is used as an example, and 30 numerical simulation models are established by using Continuum-based Distinct Element Method (CDEM) simulation software to study the top coal recovery with 4.0 m, 8.0 m, 12.0 m, 16.0 m, 20.0 m and 24.0 m top coal thicknesses and 0.8 m, 1.0 m, 1.2 m, 1.6 m and 2.4 m top coal caving intervals. The results show that with an increase in the top coal caving interval, the single top coal caving amount increases. The top coal recovery is the highest with a 0.8 m top coal caving interval when the thickness of the top coal is less than 4.0 m, and it is the highest with a 1.2 m top coal caving interval when the coal seam thickness is greater than 4.0 m. These results provide a reference for the selection of a realistic top coal caving interval in thick coal seam caving mining.

scholarly journals Simulation Study of the Roof Fracture Pattern of a Horizontal Sublevel Caving in a Steeply Inclined Thick Coal Seam

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Xin Kang ◽  
Sheng-li Yang ◽  
Ping Zhan ◽  
Liang-hui Li
Keyword(s):  
Coal Seam ◽  
Fracture Pattern ◽  
Tensile Failure ◽  
Experimental Simulation ◽  
Mining Equipment ◽  
Horizontal Section ◽  
Thick Coal Seam ◽  
Toppling Failure ◽  
Sublevel Caving ◽  
Simulation Results

Application of a horizontal section top-coal caving in a steeply inclined thick coal seam not only effectively resolves the problem of the large dip angle of the coal seam and slipping and dumping of mining equipment but also significantly reduces the tunnel drivage ratio and improves the extraction yield. In addition, it allows for a safe and efficient mining from a steeply inclined thick coal seam. In this paper, the roof fracture pattern of a steeply inclined thick coal seam has been studied by a similar simulation experiment. The results of the simulation are consistent with those of the numerical calculations, thus verifying the accuracy of the simulation. The experimental simulation results show that the roof can form a step-like toppling failure pattern after drawing the coal, and it is difficult to release a triangular coal mass near the floor, which is the main concentration area of coal loss. The numerical simulation results show that, with the excavation of the coal seam, the rock mass around the goaf produces plastic failure, and the damage is mainly concentrated in the roof area. The upper part of the goaf mainly shows a tensile failure, while the other areas mainly show yield failure.

scholarly journals Comprehensive Study of Strata Movement Behavior in Mining a Longwall Top Coal Caving Panel of a Composite Coal Seam with Partings

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 5311
Author(s):  
Hongtao Liu ◽  
Linfeng Guo ◽  
Guangming Cao ◽  
Xidong Zhao ◽  
Pengfei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
Coal Seam ◽  
Physical Modeling ◽  
Image Correlation ◽  
Thick Coal Seam ◽  
Fractured Zone ◽  
Strata Movement ◽  
Longwall Panel ◽  
Longwall Top Coal Caving ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Strata movement due to extraction of a longwall panel is of great significance both in terms of environment and ground control. Thick coal seam extraction is expected to severely disturb the overburden, which is critical. Most studies use only one or two methods to investigate strata movement that are not thorough or comprehensive. This paper presents a detailed comprehensive case study of strata movement in extraction of a longwall top coal caving panel of a composite coal seam with partings in the Baozigou Coal Mine. The caved zone and fractured zone development were captured through physical modeling by incorporating the digital image correlation method (DICM), universal distinct element code (UDEC) numerical modeling, and field observation with the method of high-pressure water injection. The result of the physical modeling is 90 m. The numerical modeling result is 84 m. Field data show that the fractured zone is 81 m. Therefore, it demonstrates that the results from different methods are consistent, which indicates that the results from this comprehensive study are reliable and scientific.

scholarly journals Numerical simulation of realistic top coal caving intervals under different top coal thicknesses in longwall top coal caving working face

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuang Liu ◽  
Huamin Li
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Coal Seam ◽  
Distinct Element ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Thick Coal Seam ◽  
Coal Recovery ◽  
Working Face ◽  
Longwall Top Coal Caving ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractIn the process of longwall top coal caving, the selection of the top coal caving interval along the advancing direction of the working face has an important effect on the top coal recovery. To explore a realistic top coal caving interval of the longwall top coal caving working face, longwall top coal caving panel 8202 in the Tongxin Coal Mine is used as an example, and 30 numerical simulation models are established by using Continuum-based Distinct Element Method simulation software to study the top coal recovery with 4.0 m, 8.0 m, 12.0 m, 16.0 m, 20.0 m and 24.0 m top coal thicknesses and 0.8 m, 1.0 m, 1.2 m, 1.6 m and 2.4 m top coal caving intervals. The results show that with an increase in the top coal caving interval, the single top coal caving amount increases. The top coal recovery is the highest with a 0.8 m top coal caving interval when the thickness of the top coal is 4.0 m, and it is the highest with a 1.2 m top coal caving interval when the coal seam thickness is greater than 4.0 m. These results provide a reference for the selection of a realistic top coal caving interval in thick coal seam caving mining.

scholarly journals An Influence Study of Face Length Effect on Floor Stability under Water-Rock Coupling Action

Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Baojie Fu ◽  
Bo Wang
Keyword(s):  
Rock Mass ◽  
Coal Seam ◽  
Mine Pressure ◽  
Length Effect ◽  
Pressure Relief ◽  
Limestone Aquifer ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Face Length ◽  
The Face ◽  
Floor Stability

The Taiyuan Formation limestone aquifer and Ordovician limestone aquifer are widely distributed in the coal seam floor of coal measures in North China; the water hazard safety problem of the stope floor under the influence of mining is very prominent. The risk of the water inrush from the coal seam floor is closely related to the degree of full exploitation, so it is necessary to study the stability of the stope floor under aquifer conditions, especially the influence of the working face length effect on floor stability. Through numerical simulation of water-rock coupling action, the mine pressure behaviors of the water-resisting floor under different face lengths were analyzed based on the measured formation permeability coefficient. The Fish program was used to adjust rocks entering the plastic failure state into a strain softening model to investigate the influence of the face length effect, the damage degree of the water-resisting floor, and the morphology and deformation bearing capacity of the failure zone. The results show the following: (1) the face length effect is one of the main influence factors of the failure mode and failure degree of surrounding rocks in the stope; (2) as the face length increases, the obvious pressure relief zone of surrounding rocks presents a staged change, and the obvious pressure relief zone at the seam roof and floor is in an obvious “reverse saddle shape”; (3) the closer to the seam floor, the more remarkable the rock softening characteristic because of the compaction action of gangues caving from the roof; and (4) the rock mass close to the seam floor undergoes local tensile failure, and the water-resisting floor near the coal wall at two sides mainly bears compaction-shear action, leading to compression-shear failure of the rock mass at the floor and formation of water-conducting fractures. The study results can provide a reference for taking precautionary measures of safety mining above a confined aquifer.

scholarly journals Numerical Investigation on the Ground Response of a Gob-Side Entry in an Extra-Thick Coal Seam

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
C.W. Zang ◽  
G.C. Zhang ◽  
G.Z. Tao ◽  
H.M. Zhu ◽  
Y. Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rock Mass ◽  
Coal Seam ◽  
Numerical Investigation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Shear Failure ◽  
Coal Pillar ◽  
Coal Mass ◽  
Thick Coal Seam ◽  
Anchor Cable ◽  
Study Results

This study was aimed at the large deformation phenomenon of rock mass surrounding the gob-side entry driven in a 20 m extra-thick coal seam. Taking tailgate 8211 as the engineering background, a numerical investigation was employed to analyze the deformation law of the gob-side entry. The study results are as follows. (1) Because the immediate roof was composed of weak coal mass with a thickness of 17 m, the roof coal mass was vulnerable to fail with the effect of overlying strata pressure; thus, a visual subsidence of roof coal mass with a maximum convergence of 800 mm was observed in the field. (2) The bearing capacity of the coal pillar was significantly less than that of the panel rib, resulting in the pillar failing more easily under the ground pressure and then generating large-scale squeezing deformation. (3) The roof and panel rib were in a state of shear failure with a failure depth of about 5 m. The coal pillar was entirely in a state of plastic failure. (4) A support scheme including an asymmetric anchor beam truss, roof angle anchor cable, and anchor cable combination structure was proposed. The field work confirmed that this support scheme could efficiently control the deformation and failure of the rock mass surrounding the gob-side entry. This study provides the theoretical basis and technical support for the control of rocks surrounding the gob-side entry in similar conditions.

Numerical Analysis of Influencing Factors of Stability in Thick Coal Seam Mining Roadway

2012 ◽  
Vol 256-259 ◽  
pp. 1453-1457
Author(s):  
Zhi Hua Li ◽  
Xin Zhu Hua ◽  
Ke Yang ◽  
Ruo Jun Zhu ◽  
De Sheng Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Coal Seam ◽  
Abutment Pressure ◽  
Surrounding Rock ◽  
Rock Body ◽  
Thick Coal Seam ◽  
Mining Depth ◽  
Working Face ◽  
Face Length ◽  
Seam Mining ◽  
Mining Height

The FLAC-3D software was used to study the surrounding rock displacement and the side abutment pressure distribution laws about roadway in thick coal seam. Based on this model, through change the mining height, working face length and mining depth, the differences of roadway underground pressure characteristics were analyzed between thick coal seam working face and normal working face. The results indicate that: ①the displacement of roadway surrounding rock increases with the increase of mining depth and mining height, the closer to the coal wall the larger of the increase range of roadway displacement. ②the peak of side abutment pressure increases with the increase of mining depth and mining height, the peak district of the stress will move toward the inner department of rock body. ③ the effect of working face length on the roadway displacement and the side abutment pressure is very feeble.

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