Prediction and prevention of spontaneous combustion of coal from goafs in workface: A case study

Abstract

Aiming at forecasting and preventing remnant coal spontaneous combustion in goaf, this thesis conducts determination on the spontaneous combustion tendency of coal seam, simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry(TG-DSC) analysis on coal samples, optimization on index gas of spontaneous combustion, and division of spontaneous combustion “three zones” with O2 concentration as the indicator. The conclusions are as follows: the spontaneous combustion period of remnant coal is 1–3 months, so the coal seam is easy to spontaneous combustion. CO and C2H4 are selected as the index gas for forecasting spontaneous combustion in No.12 coal seam and No.12-up coal seam because of their regular evolution tendency in concentration changing with coal temperature and easiness in detecting. As to the spontaneous combustion “three zones” divided by O2 concentration, the depth and width of both heat dissipation zone and left side oxidation zone in the goaf is slightly increased when the “Y” type ventilation is adopted, comparing with the “U” type ventilation, and the asphyxiation zone is extended to about 200 m behind the workface. Pressure balance method and ground fissure sealing are proposed for spontaneous combustion prevention and extinction, which offers some practical experiences for adjacent mine or similar coal seam.