Double Drilling Research Articles

Analysis of the Coal Spontaneous Combustion Risk Space Evolution in the Goaf Under Ventilation and Extraction Coupling

ABSTRACT The risk of coal spontaneous combustion in goaf is one of the disasters in coal mining, ventilation and extraction often aggravate air leakage from the goaf. Due to the unclear rule of expansion law and air leakage, the risk space for coal spontaneous combustion continues to occur. To investigate the influence of ventilation and extraction on the evolution of the risk space of coal spontaneous combustion (CSC) in goaf, further reveal the characteristics of air leakage and extraction in goaf and obtain the expansion law of CSC risk space. A three-dimensional model of goaf under surface drilling and gas extraction was developed. Using FLUENT numerical simulation software, taking a coal mine in Anhui Province, this study analyzes the influence factors, evolution law, and influence characteristics of CSC through field observations and numerical simulation. The research indicates that ventilation keeps the risk space of CSC expanding. The extraction of single drilling showed a local space expansion, while the extraction of double drilling shows the overall space expansion of the goaf. The air leakage flow path in goaf, air flow velocity vector in working face, gas concentration loss, and gas extraction characteristic parameters are determined. The loss of air leakage along the working surface meets four-stage: “strong in – flow - mixed flow – steady inflow – sudden outflow.” It can be determined that the extraction intensity of single drilling should be greater than 34.8 m3/min, and the double drilling should be greater than 18.7 m3/min. The relationship between the coupling influence of ventilation and extraction and the expansion law of CSC risk space is determined, and the maximum risk space width of CSC can be predicted. The research results are of guiding significance for CSC prevention and gas efficient extraction.

Analysis of Multi-Phase Mixed Slurry Horizontal Section Migration Efficiency in Natural Gas Hydrate Drilling and Production Method Based on Double-Layer Continuous Pipe and Double Gradient Drilling

In order to improve the recovery efficiency of natural gas hydrate in solid-state fluidized mining of natural gas hydrate, we solve drilling safety problems, such as narrow density of natural gas hydrate formation pressure window and poor wellbore stability caused by high upstream velocity during drilling and production. In this study—in order to increase the natural gas hydrate output and reduce production costs—based on the principle of the solid-state fluidized mining, a natural gas hydrate drilling method based on double-layer continuous-pipe double-gradient drilling was proposed to solve the above problems. The article introduces a drilling and production tool combination scheme and the mathematical model of wellbore-pressure dynamic regulation. Simulation software was used to study and compare the migration efficiency of multiphase mixed slurries of sediment and natural gas hydrates in the horizontal section of the double-layer continuous-pipe double-gradient drilling method and traditional drilling method. The results show that the transport efficiency of the multiphase mixed slurry of sediment and natural gas hydrate in the horizontal section of the double-layer continuous-pipe double-gradient drilling method is better than the traditional drilling method under the same conditions. When the double-layer continuous-pipe double-gradient drilling method is adopted, the multiphase mixed slurry of sediment and natural gas hydrate is transported in the pipe and has the function of the submarine lift pump, which effectively avoids the problem of the stability of the shaft wall caused by excessive flow velocity. This will also be more suitable for the transportation of large-diameter particles during the solid-state fluidized mining of natural gas hydrates.

Soil erosion resistance effects on rill and gully initiation points and dimensions

AbstractRecent research has indicated the large spatial and temporal variation in soil erosion resistance against concentrated flow (SER). This study analyzes this variability in relation to rill and gully initiation locations on slopes and the downslope eroded volumes. The soil erodibility (Kc) and critical flow shear stress (τcr), were estimated from topsoil properties and correlated to eroded rill and gully volumes and their initiation points on slopes in the Belgian loess belt. Therefore, concentrated flow paths and topsoil properties were measured in their vicinity. The results show that rill and gully initiation points, and hence the lengths of concentrated flow paths, depend on τcr, which is controlled by soil surface conditions and can be predicted from saturated soil shear strength. Soil erosion control measures that increase soil shear strength (e.g. thalweg compaction), can therefore decrease rill and gully lengths. Once a rill or an ephemeral gully is initiated, its cross‐section was found to depend on Kc, which can be estimated from the soil water content, dry bulk density, and the dry density of roots and crop residues incorporated in the topsoil. 74% of the variation in the channel cross‐sectional area measured in the study area could be predicted from the combined effect of flow intensity and these three soil properties, whereas flow intensity alone could only account for 31% of the variation. Soil conservation measures affecting one of the soil properties that control Kc (e.g. double drilling of the thalweg, conservation tillage) can therefore decrease the cross‐sections of the concentrated flow paths. These findings also indicate that rill and gully initiation points are not only topographically controlled but also depend on the SER, which in turn determines the dimensions of these concentrated flow paths. Hence, knowledge of the variability in SER is indispensable. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Rainfall‐induced consolidation and sealing effects on soil erodibility during concentrated runoff for loess‐derived topsoils

AbstractFlume experiments simulating concentrated runoff were carried out on remolded silt loam soil samples (0·36 × 0·09 × 0·09 m3) to measure the effect of rainfall‐induced soil consolidation and soil surface sealing on soil erosion by concentrated flow for loess‐derived soils and to establish a relationship between soil erodibility and soil bulk density. Soil consolidation and sealing were simulated by successive simulated rainfall events (0–600 mm of cumulative rainfall) alternated by periods of drying. Soil detachment measurements were repeated for four different soil moisture contents (0·04, 0·14, 0·20 and 0·31 g g−1). Whereas no effect of soil consolidation and sealing is observed for critical flow shear stress (τcr), soil erodibility (Kc) decreases exponentially with increasing cumulative rainfall depth. The erosion‐reducing effect of soil consolidation and sealing decreases with a decreasing soil moisture content prior to erosion due to slaking effects occurring during rapid wetting of the dry topsoil. After about 100 mm of rainfall, Kc attains its minimum value for all moisture conditions, corresponding to a reduction of about 70% compared with the initial Kc value for the moist soil samples and only a 10% reduction for the driest soil samples. The relationship estimating relative Kc values from soil moisture content and cumulative rainfall depth predicts Kc values measured on a gradually consolidating cropland field in the Belgian Loess Belt reasonably well (MEF = 0·54). Kc is also shown to decrease linearly with increasing soil bulk density for all moisture treatments, suggesting that the compaction of thalwegs where concentrated flow erosion often occurs might be an alternative soil erosion control measure in addition to grassed waterways and double drilling. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effects of double drilling of small grains on soil erosion by concentrated flow and crop yield

Soil erosion on agricultural land and its detrimental environmental and economical effects has aroused increased interest among both the research and policy-making communities. The call for erosion control measures adapted to local farming practices is high, especially in Europe where farmers are reluctant to adopt soil conservation techniques. This study investigates a new technique for controlling concentrated flow erosion rates in the loess belt of central Belgium: i.e. double drilling of cereals in zones of concentrated flow. Cross-sectional areas of erosion channels as well as crop yield parameters in single- and double-drilled zones were compared. The technique is based on the combined effect of the increased density of plant shoots and roots for reducing soil loss. Results indicate that double drilling can reduce soil loss through concentrated flow by 25% on average and by up to 40% under optimal conditions. No net change in wheat grain yield was observed, and farmers who participated in the experiments were satisfied with the results and the easy application of the technique. Globally, benefits were larger than costs. However, the effectiveness of the technique in reducing soil loss by concentrated flow erosion seems to be topographically restricted. For positions in the landscape with a contributing drainage area larger than ca. 0.75 ha, the effectiveness of double drilling can be doubted. Double drilling should therefore be regarded as one possibility amongst others to reduce concentrated flow erosion rates in farmers’ fields.

Double right-angle drilling head speeds wing spar production

Double right-angle drilling head speeds wing spar production