Application of the comprehensive identification model in analyzing the source of water inrush

Abstract

Disasters caused by water inrush during production affect many coal mines in China. To rapidly and accurately prevent further water inrush, a comprehensive identification model combining hydrochemistry analysis, water source detection, and water channel exploration is proposed. The Schukalev classification method (SCM) is used to distinguish the concentration distribution of the main ion between the water inrush source and other aquifers, and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) is adopted to classify the water samples in the hydrochemistry analysis stage. Water channel exploration and water source detection are combined to test and verify the conclusion in the third stage. The comprehensive discrimination model is applied to the water inrush of the Buliangou coal mine. Hydrochemistry analysis shows that the percentages of the main ions (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3−, and Cl−) are greater than 30% (excluding SO42−), which is in agreement with the case of a sandstone aquifer. In the second stage, water source detection based on the transient electromagnetic method (TEM) and drilling technique indicates that not much water is present in the anomaly area around the water inrush location. The limited water recharge contradicts the phenomenon of water inrush. Water channel exploration is carried out, and an area with massive fissures that have water storage capacity is revealed. The conclusion is that the water conserved in the fissures flows out over a short time without the occurrence of stable recharge. The comprehensive discrimination model has complementary advantages and improves the water inrush prediction efficiency.