scholarly journals Changes in the methane emissions and hard coal output in the Brzeszcze mine (the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland)

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
Marcin Dreger
Keyword(s):  
Methane Concentration ◽  
Mine Ventilation ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Coal Extraction ◽  
Hard Coal ◽  
Ch4 Emission ◽  
Coal Deposit ◽  
Coal Basin ◽  
Upper Silesian Coal Basin

The paper presents the variability of methane emissions in mining excavations in the Brzeszcze mine (Poland) against the background of hard coal output, geological and mining factors. The geological structure of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) is very diverse. The Brzeszcze coal deposit is located close to the large and permeable Jawiszowice fault which increases the methane hazard during mining activities performed close to this fault. The overall decrease in hard coal output (1988–2018) has coincided with a rapid increase in methane emissions (1997–2018). Throughout the study period, hard coal output decreased threefold from 3.9 to 1.2 million Mg annually. Coal extraction in high methane content beds (e.g. 510, 405/1, 364, 352) increases the total methane (CH4) emission into mining excavations, aggravating the methane hazard due to the high explosiveness of the gas. To protect miners, coal workings need to be continuously ventilated, taking the harmful gas out of the mine (ventilation air methane emission) or methane needs to be captured by underground methane systems (degassing). Every year, over 34 million m3 of CH4 is captured by the drainage systems and over 70 million m3 CH4 (average) is discharged through ventilation shafts into the atmosphere. The presence of the large, permeable regional dislocation, the Jawiszowice fault zone, shaped the methane concentration in the fault vicinity, when the highest methane emissions during coal mining was studied.

scholarly journals Methane emissions against the background of natural and mining conditions in the Budryk and Pniówek mines in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Poland)

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Dreger ◽  
Sławomir Kędzior
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Methane Content ◽  
Coal Extraction ◽  
Hard Coal ◽  
Coal Seams ◽  
Coal Basin ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Upper Silesian Coal Basin ◽  
Mining Conditions

AbstractThe paper presents the variability of hard coal output, methane content and methane emissions into coal workings and into the atmosphere from the two most methane-gassy coal mines in Poland. The Budryk mine is one of the youngest mines in Poland, but it is the most methane-gassy as well. In 2016, the total CH4 emissions exceed 140 million of m3. This large increase in methane emissions to mine workings is primarily related to the increase in the depth of coal extraction (up to 1290 m) and, consequently, the rapid increase in the methane content in coal seams (up to 10–12 m3/Mg coaldaf). On the other hand, in the Pniówek mine, methane emission was the highest at the beginning of the study period (1986–1991). During the following years, emission decreased to the values of less than 140 million of m3, which were still one of the largest amounts of emitted methane in the entire Upper Silesian Coal Basin. The coexistence of natural factors, such as the geological structure and gas distribution, as well as mining-related factors, i.e. the depth of mining, the intensity of coal extraction determines the temporal variability of methane emissions in the studied mines.

scholarly journals Methane Emissions Against the Background of Natural and Mining Conditions in the Budryk and Pniówek Mines in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Poland)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Dreger ◽  
Sławomir Kędzior
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Methane Content ◽  
Coal Extraction ◽  
Hard Coal ◽  
Coal Basin ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Upper Silesian Coal Basin ◽  
Mining Conditions ◽  
The Vertical Distribution

Abstract The paper presents the variability of hard coal output, methane content and methane emissions into coal workings and into the atmosphere from the two most methane-gassy coal mines in Poland, Budryk and Pniówek, which are both incorporated in the Jastrzębie Coal Company. The Budryk mine is one of the youngest mines in Poland, but it is the most methane-gassy as well. In 2016, the total CH4 emissions exceed 140 million of m3. This large increase in methane emissions to mine workings is primarily related to the increase in the depth of coal extraction (up to 1290 m) and, consequently, the rapid increase in the methane content in coal seams (up to 10-12 m3 / Mg coaldaf). On the other hand, in the Pniówek mine, methane emission was the highest at the beginning of the study period (1986-1991). During the following years emission decreased to the values of less than 140 million of m3, which were still one of the largest amounts of emitted methane in the entire Upper Silesian Coal Basin. The vertical distribution of methane content, different than in the Budryk mine, and the presence of a secondary high methane zone at the Carboniferous top, seem to be decisive for the long-term distribution of methane emissions in the Pniówek mine. The coexistence of natural factors, such as the geological structure and gas distribution, as well as mining-related factors, i.e. the depth of mining, the concentration of coal extraction determines the temporal variability of methane emissions in the studied mines.

scholarly journals Methane emissions and demethanation of coal mines in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin between 1997 and 2016

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Dreger ◽  
Sławomir Kędzior
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emission ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Coal Extraction ◽  
Hard Coal ◽  
Coal Seams ◽  
Coal Basin ◽  
Upper Silesian Coal Basin ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Research Period ◽  
Modern Technologies

Abstract Between 1997 and 2016 we observed important changes in hard coal extraction and methane emission in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Hard coal extraction in the near future will be very dangerous because it will be necessary to reach deeper methane-rich coal seams. Permanent monitoring of the volume of emitted and captured methane is necessary to combat the methane hazard. The predictability of gaseous hazards are important in order to keep underground work safe. We gathered and analysed data from three coal companies: Katowice Coal Holding, the Coal Company, Jastrzębie Coal Company and in the whole of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin for the last twenty years and this allowed us to notice changes and CH4 trends in ventilation emission and demethanation. There is a decrease in the extraction of hard coal from year to year. At the same time there is an increase in the total methane emissions which forces actions aimed to effective contracting the methane hazard. Specifically, methane emission has been increasing for years, making hard coal extraction very dangerous. We observed increases in CH4 vent emission and volume of methane coming from underground drainage systems. Much more methane is released during hard coal extraction at deeper mine levels. Throughout the entire research period the methane hazard increased. Therefore, the development of modern technologies for methane capturing should contribute to improvement of hazardous conditions for coal mining in the basin.

Participation of Quaternary Aquifers in Groundwater Inflow to Mines in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) / Udział Wodonośnych Utworów Czwartorzędowych W Procesie Zawodnienia Kopalń Górnośląskich

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 419-437
Author(s):  
Kazimierz Różkowski ◽  
Andrzej Różkowski ◽  
Marek Sołtysiak
Keyword(s):  
Ore Deposits ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Hard Coal ◽  
Quaternary Sediments ◽  
Coal Basin ◽  
Groundwater Inflow ◽  
Technological Factors ◽  
Upper Silesian Coal Basin ◽  
Quaternary Aquifers ◽  
Mine Workings

Abstract The Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) is situated within Variscean depression in the southern Poland. Mining of the hard coal, ore and sand deposits in the USCB has a long-lasting tradition. Exploitation has been carried out with both - open pit and mainly underground operations. The intensity of water inflows to mines depends on geogenic and technological factors. Among geogenic factors the main one is occurrence of thick water - bearing Quaternary sediments in the roof of Carboniferous ore deposits. Among technological factors the essential influence on the inflows to the mine workings have: time, depth and surface of exploitation, as well as drainage intensity.

scholarly journals Analysis of the similarity of hard coal mines in terms of the number of dangerous incidents caused by the activation of natural hazards

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-100
Author(s):  
Magdalena Tutak
Keyword(s):  
Rock Burst ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Coal Dust ◽  
Coal Mines ◽  
Hard Coal ◽  
Dust Explosion ◽  
Coal Basin ◽  
Taxonomic Analysis ◽  
Upper Silesian Coal Basin ◽  
Roof Rocks

Abstract Hard coal mines and mining enterprises involved in hard coal exploitation in the area of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Górnośląskie Zagłębie Węglowe) are characterised by the presence of natural hazards typical of this type of exploitation. These hazards include the risks related to methane, coal dust explosion, endogenous fires, as well as rock burst and caving of roof rocks. The article presents the results of a taxonomic analysis aimed at determining the similarity of hard coal mines and mining enterprises in Poland in terms of the dangerous incidents caused by the risks related to methane, coal dust explosion, endogenous fires, as well as rock burst and caving of roof rocks. The analysis was carried out for the 2008-2018 data and encompassed a total of 26 hard coal mines and mining enterprises located in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. The analysis was performed using the k-means method of non-hierarchical clustering. The main objective of the article was to determine homogenous groups (clusters) of mines exhibiting the greatest similarity in terms of dangerous incidents caused by the activation of natural hazards in the years 2008-2018. These data can be successfully used for the development of preventive measures and risk analyses for these enterprises.

scholarly journals Land Surface Subsidence Due to Mining-Induced Tremors in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Poland)—Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 3923
Author(s):  
Paweł Sopata ◽  
Tomasz Stoch ◽  
Artur Wójcik ◽  
Dawid Mrocheń
Keyword(s):  
Rock Mass ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Continuous Monitoring ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Vertical Surface ◽  
Coal Basin ◽  
Surface Displacements ◽  
Upper Silesian Coal Basin ◽  
Mining Tremors

Seismic phenomena threaten land-based buildings, structures, and infrastructure and can transform land topography. There are two basic types of seismic phenomena, namely, tectonic and anthropogenic, which differ mainly in epicenter depth, surface impact range, and magnitude (energy). This article shows how a land surface was changed by a series of seven rock mass tremors of magnitude ML = 2.3–2.6 in March–May 2017. Their immediate cause was the “momentary” acceleration of void clamping, which was activated by local and short-term seismic phenomena caused by human activity. The induced seismic events resulted from the geological structure of the rock mass, which in the specific region of examination was classified as being highly prone to mining tremors. The authors focused on describing vertical surface displacements in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin in the south of Poland. The surface deformations were identified using DInSAR technology, which allows quasi-continuous monitoring of large areas of land surface. The present research used freely available data from the Copernicus Program and seismic data from the European Plate Observing System.

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