Abstract
Safe mining is the premise and guarantee of sustainable development of coal energy. Due to the combination of excellent properties of polymers and traditional soft matters, polymer-containing soft matters are playing an increasingly important role in mine disaster and hazard control. To summarize the valuable work in recent years and provide reference and inspiration for researchers in this field, this paper reviewed the recent research progress in polymer-containing soft matters with respect to mine dust control, mine fire control, mine gas control and mine roadway support. From the perspective role of polymers in a material system, we classify mine polymer-containing soft matters into two categories. The first is polymer additive materials, in which polymers are used as additives to modify fluid-like soft matters, such as dust-reducing agents (surfactant solution) and dust-suppressing foams. The second is polymer-based materials, in which polymers are used as a main component to form high performance solid-like soft matters, such as fire prevention gels, foam gels, gas hole sealing material and resin anchorage agent. The preparation principle, properties and application of these soft matters are comprehensively reviewed. Furthermore, future research directions are also suggested.
Highlights
Coal is the most abundant and widely distributed fossil energy on earth
Fc = 2πrγcosθ where Fc is the capillary adhesion, dyn, r is the particle radius, cm, γ is the suppressant surface tension, dyn cm−1 and θ is the contact angle, ◦. This indicates that the adhesion of grade polyethylene oxide (g-PEO)&sodium lauryl sulfate (SDS) solution to particles was enhanced by the larger surface tension and as shown in Figure 1, the solidified layer can be formed on the surface of coal dust to reduce the evaporation of moisture in coal dust
The results showed that the viscosity of BMS solution and FAS mortar increased with the increase of hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG)/xanthan gum (XG) concentration
Summary
Coal is the most abundant and widely distributed fossil energy on earth. It plays a very important role in the worldwide energy supply and is an important support for global economic and social development [1]. Polymer-containing soft matters have important value and broad application prospects in ensuring safe mining of coal. A series of new, green and efficient polymer-containing soft matters are formed for improving the properties of conventional materials through physical or chemical methods. Such products of polymer-containing soft matters have made an outstanding contribution to dust control, fire prevention, gas drainage, roadway support and repair in coal mines. This paper will summarize and review the application and development of polymer-containing soft matters in coal mines in recent years. The main challenges faced by polymer-containing soft matters research in coal mining will be highlighted and suggestions for future development will be given. This work could provide important reference and inspiration for the research and application of polymer material in mine safety
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