Morphology and Chemical Composition of Magnetic Particles Separated from Coal Fly Ash

Iron and other metal compounds are the materials that often appear in coal seams, because they also appear as a component of former organic matter in coal rocks. Although iron is the dominant element in coal rocks, other metals such as titanium, lead, cobalt, nickel, and copper are also present. In this study, the properties of magnetic particles of a size between 1 and 20 µm of globular structure and iron containing, were separated from coal fly ash, and studied using a scanning electron microscopy, energy disperse spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The investigations were comprised of micrographs of the structure of these particles, their elemental composition, and phase analysis.

Analysis of coal face stability of lower coal seam under repeated mining in close coal seams group

Aiming at the problem of coal face failure of lower coal seam under the influence of repeated mining in close coal seams, with the working face 17,101 as a background, the coal samples mechanics test clarified the strength characteristics of the coal face under repeated mining, through similar simulation experiments, the development of stable roof structure and surrounding rock cracks under repeated mining of close coal seams are further explored. And based on this, establish a coal face failure mechanics model to comprehensively analyze the influence of multiple roof structural instabilities on the stability of the coal face. Finally, numerical simulation is used to further supplement and verify the completeness and rationality of similar simulation experiment and theoretical analysis results. The results show that: affected by repeated mining disturbances, the cracks in the coal face are relatively developed, the strength of the coal body is reduced, and the coal face is more prone to failure under the same roof pressure; During the mining of coal seam 17#, the roofs of different layers above the stope form two kinds of "arch" structures and one kind of “voussoir beam” structure, and there are three different degrees of frequent roof pressure phenomenon, which is easy to cause coal face failure; Under repeated mining of close coal seams, the roof pressure acting on the coal face is not large. The main controlling factor of coal face failure is the strength of the coal body, and the form of coal face failure is mostly the shear failure of soft coal. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for coal face failure under similar conditions.

Experimental Study of Prevention and Control of Rock Burst in Steeply Inclined Coal Seams by Mining Sequence and Filling

The control and prevention of rock burst in a steeply inclined coal seam are essential. In order to figure out the effects of filling and mining sequence on rock burst in the steeply inclined coal seam, B3+6 and B1+2 coal seams in Wudong coal mine are chosen as the research objects, and an in-house experiment system of similarity simulation is established in this study. Combined with numerical simulation, the characteristics of collapse, stress distribution, and displacement variations can be measured, which provide useful information to study the effects of the filling body and mining sequence on rock burst. Experimental results show that the key reason for rock burst in a steeply inclined coal seam is the stress concentration of the rock pillar between B3+6 and B1+2 coal seams instead of the stress-lever-effect of a deeper rock pillar. The filling body can support the middle rock pillar, share the geological structure stress in the horizontal and vertical direction, eliminate the stress concentration zone largely, and prevent the occurrence of rock burst. When multiple working faces are working, the opposite side of the coal seam should be mined first to release the energy in the rock in advance, thus preventing the rock burst effectively. The research results provide fundamental information for better understanding the reason for rock burst and preventing rock burst in the steeply inclined coal seam.

An Experimental Investigation of the Gas Permeability of Tectonic Coal Mineral under Triaxial Loading Conditions

Underground coal mining of CH4 gas-rich tectonic coal seams often induces methane outburst disasters. Investigating gas permeability evolution in pores of the tectonic coal is vital to understanding the mechanism of gas outburst disasters. In this study, the triaxial loading–unloading stresses induced gas permeability evolutions in the briquette tectonic coal samples, which were studied by employing the triaxial-loading–gas-seepage test system. Specifically, effects of loading paths and initial gas pressures on the gas permeability of coal samples were analyzed. The results showed the following: (1) The gas permeability evolution of coal samples was correlated with the volumetric strain change during triaxial compression scenarios. In the initial compaction and elastic deformation stages, pores and cracks in the coal were compacted, resulting in a reduction in gas permeability in the coal body. However, after the yield stage, the gas permeability could be enhanced due to sample failure. (2) The gas permeability of the tectonic coal decreased as a negative exponential function with the increase in initial gas pressure, in which the permeability was decreased by 67.32% as the initial gas pressure increased from 0.3 MPa to 1.5 MPa. (3) Coal samples underwent a period of strain development before they began to fail during confining pressure releasing. After the stress releasing-induced yield stage, the coal sample was deformed and cracked, resulting in a quickly increase in gas permeability. With a further releasing process, failure of the sample occurred, and thus induced rapidly increasing gas permeability. These obtained results could provide foundations for gas outburst prevention in mining gas-rich tectonic coal seams.

Sulphur study of the Palaeogene coals from Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, NE India: Implications for palaeoenvironment, utilisation prospects, and environmental impacts

Coal samples of Eocene age (Shella Formation) from four different mines (Bapung, Jaintia, Sutunga, and Lakadong) of the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, Northeast India, were collected and investigated to observe the sulphur content and to understand the palaeoenvironment, utilisation prospects, and environmental impact. The study reveals that these coal samples contain sulphur in higher concentration (4.46% to 7.26%) both organic and inorganic forms. There are 3 coal seams exposed in the area. The organic sulphur is higher (2.53%-5.49%) than the inorganic forms (1.26%-1.77%). The upper seam is found to contain higher concentration of sulphur than the lower seam. Intra seam pyritic sulphur also shows an upward increasing trend. The high sulphur content in the coal seams suggests the marine influence in the peat-forming swamps. These coals are classified as High Sulphur coal (>1%) which is the main obstacle in the utilization although high volatile matter and hydrogen content strongly suggest that these coals are good for liquefaction. Moreover, during coal combustion emissions of sulphur dioxide produce acid rain, affecting the environment of the mine areas.