A dynamic model of coalbed methane emission from boreholes in front of excavation working face: numerical model and its application

Abstract

China's current energy consumption is primarily fueled by coal, increasing coal mining with growing energy demand. Coal and gas outburst accidents are common problems in coal mining, and prediction methods are fundamental for preventing such accidents. The gas emission characteristics of boreholes are a combination of comprehensive coal properties and coal seam gas occurrence status; thus, the accurate prediction of gas emissions from boreholes is crucial for preventing such hazards. This paper presents a method for measuring the gas flow rate in continuous boreholes, which is used to predict outburst danger in front of the working face. The model was compared with field measurement data and found suitable for research. The effects of different initial gas pressures, different borehole radius, and different burial depths on gas emissions from boreholes were studied. The results showed that (1) initial gas pressure is the main influencing factor of gas gushing. The amount of gas emission during drilling and the attenuation of gas pressure are more sensitive to pressure. An increase in gas pressure considerably increases the amount of gas gushing out of drilling holes. (2) The increase in the drilling radius increases the generation of coal cuttings, the area of the drilling hole wall, and the degree of damage to the drilling hole wall. Consequently, the amount of gas gushing out of the drilling hole increases. (3) In situ stress occurs mainly because of the increase in gas pressure with an increase in burial depth and the increase in gas desorption caused by the increase in damage to the borehole wall. This study provides a new outburst prediction method, which involves identifying outburst hazards through the gas gushing out of the borehole. The results are expected to aid the control of underground coal and gas outbursts and ensure the safe production of coal mines.

Keywords: Coal and gas outburst; Gas migration; Numerical simulation; Prediction method.