Coal Spontaneous Combustion Research Articles

Experimental Study on Coal Oxidation and Temperature Rise Under Reciprocating Air Leakage

ABSTRACT Reciprocating air leakage often occurs in the goaf of coal mines because of changes in internal or external pressure. However, its impact on the spontaneous combustion of coal in the goaf is uncertain. Therefore, a comparative study of constant air leakage and reciprocating air leakage was carried out using a self-built system. The results indicate that reciprocating air leakage promotes coal oxidation and produces higher CO levels compared to constant air leakage. Further investigation was carried out to examine the effect of air leakage rate and reciprocating half-cycle (referred to as half-cycle hereafter) on coal oxidation and temperature rise. The results show that there is a linear relationship between resistance and air leakage rate in the coal oxidation heating space; however, the half-cycle length has little effect on resistance. The influence of a fixed air leakage rate on temperature and CO concentration does not always increase, with the maximum value achieved at 1.2 m3/h. Shorter half-cycles result in higher temperatures and CO concentrations. Gradually increasing air leakage rates and shortening half-cycles can promote coal oxidation and temperature rise and lead to higher CO production compared to previous scenarios. Additionally, the effect of using four different air leakage rates or half-cycle lengths is greater than that of using two. These research findings offer a theoretical foundation for preventing and controlling coal spontaneous combustion in goafs under complex air leakage conditions.

Intercalation modified nano zirconium phosphate inhibitor for inhibiting coal spontaneous combustion

The synthesis and characterization of a modified zirconium phosphate (MZrP) nano-inhibitor for spontaneous coal combustion inhibition were explored through isooctylamine intercalation. Using oxidation experiment, FTIR and SEM, the variation rules of the characteristic parameters of the different coal samples were investigated. It was observed that MZrP exhibited enhanced dispersion within the coal matrix post-intercalation modification. As the MZrP concentration increased, there was a notable decrease in oxygen consumption rate, gas production concentration, and active group content in the coal, alongside a significant increase in apparent activation energy and inhibition efficacy. This enhanced inhibition is attributed to two primary mechanisms. Firstly, the hydrophilic nature of MZrP allows for its uniform distribution on the coal surface and within internal pores, creating a dense carbonized layer. This layer effectively retains moisture and isolates oxygen, enhancing physical inhibition. Secondly, MZrP inhibitor is thermally decomposed into phosphoric acid and its phosphoric acid derivatives, which can effectively capture the H- and -OH in the coal, and strengthens the inactivation of its reactive free radicals. The optimal inhibition was observed in coal samples treated with 6 wt% MZrP, exhibiting an average inhibition rate of 62.2 %, coupled with the lowest rates of gas production and oxygen consumption.

Calculating the Spontaneous Combustion Temperature of Coal Based on Measured Gas concentration: A Case Study in the Huangshan Mine, China

ABSTRACT The actual coal temperature of “spontaneous combustion zone” is not convenient to obtain, which causes a lot of inconvenience to the prevention and control of coal spontaneous combustion fire. The traditional temperature measurement method does not consider the influence of gas flow in the goaf, so the measured coal temperature cannot directly reflect the actual state of coal spontaneous combustion. This paper presents a method to predict the coal temperature in the “spontaneous combustion zone” based on the theoretical data obtained in the laboratory, combined with the actual coal temperature in the “dissipation zone,” and applies it to the B4 layer coal mine in Huangshan, Jiangxi Province. The results show that the method is objective and effective, and can be used for the prediction of CSC (coal spontaneous combustion) in the goaf of coal mines.

Preparation and Characterization of Multi-Network Crosslinked Gels for Preventing Spontaneous Combustion of Coal

ABSTRACT In order to improve the inhibition performance of a retardant in various stages of coal spontaneous combustion, this study selected guar gum (guar) mixed with sodium tetraborate to form a multi-web gel. Then, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was added for the insertion and modification to improve the physical inhibition effect. Furthermore, we compounded the composite guar/PEG with the chemical retardant 2-hydroxyphosphonoacetic acid (HPAA) to prepare a composite retardant with the effect of full-stage inhibition. Multi-web gel composite inhibitor with a full-stage inhibition effect was prepared. Response surface analysis was used to determine the optimal solution. Scanning electron microscopy tests revealed that the surface folds of PEG/guar increased and the water retention capacity was greatly enhanced. The plugging wind experiment results show that the limiting air pressure of the gel material is 249 Pa, which can match the downhole plugging wind work. Using XRD experiments, the diffraction angle of PEG/guar was narrowed from 18.20° to 17.64°, the crystal layer spacing was increased from 4.8685 nm to 5.0218 nm, and PEG was successfully intercalated into the guar. Using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, it was found that the content of free hydroxyl groups and aliphatic groups became lower, and the content of carbonyl groups and ether bonds increased, which greatly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of coal. Using thermogravimetric analysis, the characteristic temperature points of single and composite inhibitors were examined macroscopically. The results showed that the inhibition treatment could obviously chelate the transition metal ions in the coal samples, which greatly inhibited the process of coal oxidation and achieved the purpose of inhibiting the spontaneous combustion of coal.

Calibration-free temperature monitoring of pulverized coal powder based on the dual-mode acoustic tomography

Accurate temperature measurement of the pulverized coal powder is crucial in detecting and preventing coal spontaneous combustion. Compared to other temperature measurement techniques, acoustic tomography using low frequency sound waves has the advantage of high penetration ability for non-intrusive temperature measurement inside the pulverized coal powder. Additionally, by employing an array of acoustic transducers mounted around the coal powder, the entire sensing area can be covered, enabling a comprehensive temperature distribution analysis through tomographic reconstructions. However, the main drawback of the acoustic temperature measurement is the model complexity in describing the dependence of acoustic sound speed on temperature in the porous pulverized coal powder. Accurate calibration is required to determine the model parameters for temperature retrieval, however, which is difficult for in situ industrial application. To solve this problem, we proposed a calibration-free temperature monitoring method based on the dual-mode acoustic tomography for pulverized coal. The three-parameter JCAL model is used to characterize the acoustic propagation in coal powder. The temperature and micro-structure parameters can be jointly retrieved from the reconstructed sound slowness and attenuation distributions at different frequencies. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method are validated in the simulation study. Results show that the dual-mode acoustic tomography can provide calibration-free simplicity for pulverized coal temperature measurement, which has a great potential for industrial applications.

The development of exothermic surface reaction between coal and oxygen affected by methane during coal spontaneous combustion in gob

Coal spontaneous combustion (CSC) derives from the exothermic coal-oxygen reaction occurring at coal's surface. However, methane's influence on this process is still unclear in gob environments. To this end, non-isothermal experiments were performed to elucidate methane's impact on the exothermic effect, pore structure evolvement, and surface composite variation in CSC. Our findings indicated that methane inhibited the exothermic effect; however, low methane (<42.9 %) did not significantly reduce the danger of CSC, but increased methane explosion risk. Methane's influence on pore structure can be elevated by a higher temperature, leading to larger pores, greater surface area, and higher pore volumes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis revealed an increase in C1s, C-C and C-H bonds with rising methane and a decrease in O1s and oxygen-containing groups. C-O groups were the main structures affected by methane. O1s and oxygen-containing groups remained stable at low (<20 %) and high (>50 %) methane concentrations, because coal lay in oxygen-rich and fuel-rich oxidation states, respectively. Methane's influence on exothermic reaction originates from competitive adsorption. Methane competes with oxygen and other gases for adsorption sites. This changes the surface properties and affects the competitive adsorption between methane and other gases. This study can provide valuable insights for mitigating CSC risk.

Preparation and flame retardant properties of new mining fireproof gel

Coal spontaneous combustion (CSC) brings great danger to mine safety. Although traditional colloidal fire-fighting materials can reside at high fire source points, their permeability and fluidity are poor, and such materials focus on their water absorption, but pay less attention to water retention and resistance, which makes their fire-fighting effect not good. This paper proposed a new type of mining fire prevention colloid material (CPS-α), which had good solid water gel formation, viscosity, fluidity, and blocking properties to compensate for traditional colloids' shortcomings. According to the single-factor experiment, polymeric polyacrylamide (PAM) as the base material, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as the coagulant, modified starch (SS) as the flame retardant and reduced ascorbic acid were determined. After gel treatment, compared with raw coal, the critical temperature point of spontaneous combustion of coal was increased by about 28 °C, the time to reach the critical temperature point was delayed by 190s, and the characteristic temperature points were significantly increased; the overlap area of coal and water increases by about 20 % after adding gel, and the change slope of the diffusion coefficient of water decreases, which indicated that CPS-α had good flame retardant effect.

Inhibitory Kinetics and Mechanism of the Low Temperature Oxidation of Coal by Polyethylene Glycol-Citric Acid

ABSTRACT To address the issues of low inhibition rate, high cost, and insufficient research on physicochemical synergistic inhibition mechanisms, this study examined the inhibitory effect and mechanism of Polyethylene Glycol-Citric Acid (PEG-CA) on low-temperature oxidation of coal. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to analyze the inhibition and thermal behavior at various inhibitor ratios. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to experimentally assess changes in the functional groups of the coal samples pre- and post-inhibition. Principal component analysis identified the key mechanism of PEG-CA in inhibiting the low-temperature oxidation of coal. It showed that PEG-CA increased the heat absorption of the coal and delayed the average thermal equilibrium temperature of the coal oxidation process by more than 70°C. The addition of PEG-CA increased the maximum heat absorption rate of the coal sample by 2.4 times and the activation energy of coal oxidation by 1.6–3.9 times. The primary inhibition mechanism is that PEG-CA-forming chelates with the metal ions of coal, preventing C-H bond activation and reducing the content of this functional group. Additionally, PEG-CA etherifies with the hydroxyl groups of the coal, creating relatively stable ether bonds. This study offers a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for the coal mining industry and provides a new theoretical foundation for developing composite corrosion inhibitors and controlling spontaneous coal combustion.

Dynamic correlation between surface carbon response and underlying emissions from spontaneous combustion goaf: field study of an abandoned coal mine

Abandoned coal mine goaf is affected by air leakages and prone to spontaneous combustion, resulting in environmental pollution and geological disasters. Haizhou Open-pit Mine adopts both underground and open-pit mining methods. During the long-term mining process, the original stable stratum structure is constantly destroyed, and the slope slides, increasing cracks and severe air leakage around the goaf and roadway. The spontaneous combustion of coal is particularly prominent after the mine shut down. At present, there is no suitable indirect monitoring method to effectively explore the spontaneous combustion area in goaf. The study developed an all-weather monitoring plan and conducted multi-point continuous long-term measurements of the spontaneous combustion state in one abandoned coal mine goaf located in the eastern part of the Haizhou Open-pit Mine. We evaluated the dynamic correlation between surface CO2 flux (SCF) and changes in the underground fire areas, determined the scope and evolution trend of the fire areas, and identified the distribution and change laws of SCF. The results show a significant positive correlation between SCF and soil temperature; moreover, the SCF value was found to reflect the CO2 emission intensity of the goaf. The high SCF in the test area showed month-wise expansion and increase, while the CO2 emission gradually increased monthly, and the calculated annual total emission was approximately 7017 t. Hence, the study can further provide guidance for the monitoring of spontaneous combustion in shallow coal seams, goaf and the assessment of CO2 emissions from underground coal fires through the on-site monitoring and analysis results.

Investigating how oxygen levels and particle size impact the thermodynamics of low temperature coal oxidation: A case study using weakly caking coal

Oxygen concentration and particle size play critical roles in the combustion of coal. Notably, the low temperature oxidation stage is considered pivotal for coal spontaneous combustion (CSC). In this study, we examined the exothermic oxidation of low-temperature weakly caking coal. We used a C80 microcalorimeter to assess the impact of different oxygen concentrations and particle sizes. For weakly caking coal during low-temperature oxidation, the heat flow (HF) curve decreases as oxygen concentration drops. The characteristic temperature increases, and the HF curve shows a noticeable lag. Under identical external conditions, decreasing the particle size of coal results in a reduced minimum floating coal thickness, lowers the oxygen concentration needed for CSC, increases the upper-limit of air leakage intensity, and makes the coal more susceptible to CSC. Reducing the particle size significantly increases the exothermic heat release during low-temperature oxidation, leading to a higher risk of CSC. These research results not only deepen the understanding of the law of coal spontaneous combustion, but also provide a scientific basis for improving the technical level of coal spontaneous combustion fire prevention and control.

Adsorption simulation of gas released during oxidation of bituminous coal

ABSTRACT The adsorption of gases released during coal oxidation have a significant impact on the accuracy of CSC prediction. However, there are few research on the adsorption of C2H4 and C2H6 by coal. Therefore, the adsorption characteristics of N2/CO2/C2H4/C2H6 released during the spontaneous combustion of bituminous coal were investigated by programmed heating experiment and molecular simulation. The results showed that the low-volatile coal exhibited a higher adsorption capacity for CO2, N2, and C2H4 compared to high-volatile coal. The sequence of adsorption capacity for both low-volatile coal and High-volatile coal was CO2 > C2H6. The electrostatic potential of oxygen functional groups was ranked as follows: Ph-OH > Ph-COOH > R-COOH > R-OH. The interaction energy of gases at the -COOH position was greater than that at the -OH position, indicating that -COOH is more likely to provide adsorption sites for gases.

Preparation of fully physically crosslinked double-network gel and its fire prevention mechanism

It is important to gain an in-depth understanding of the structure of fire prevention and extinguishing materials during self-heating of coal. In this paper, an Al3+-CMC/PAM-MMT fire prevention and extinguishing gel with double-network was prepared using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and polyacrylamide (PAM) as raw materials, and aluminum citrate (AlCit) and sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) as auxiliary materials, by introducing the fully physically crosslinking effect. The optimal amounts of CMC, PAM, AlCit and MMT were determined to be 2 %, 3 %, 8 %, and 3 %, respectively, based on gelation time, stability, and resistance of the gel. The micromorphological image of the double-network gel exhibited a laminar structure of parallel-aligned fibrous networks, where the pores and channels exhibited more complex shapes and became smaller in size, highlighting the superiority of the double-network architecture. The rheological tests showed that the double-network gel had superior structural stability and viscosity under varying shear rates, making it more effective in covering the fire source, enhancing extinguishing efficiency. Additionally, its higher storage and loss moduli indicated stronger elasticity and mechanical properties compared to the single-network gel, emphasizing its advantages in energy storage and recovery. The characterization of active functional groups showed that there was an effective suppression of reactions involving hydroxyl, hydrocarbon, and carbonyl functional groups, during the spontaneous combustion process of coal, following treatment with the gel. Additionally, a proposed mechanism for the gel formation was presented. In the sealing performance test, the pressure-bearing capacity of the double-network gel was approximately twice that of the single-network gel. It indicated that the multi-level structure formed by the gel led to higher density of physical cross-linking points, which provided better sealing performance. Thermogravimetric analysis showed significant decrease in total calorific value and increase in activation energy of coal, after treatment with the gel, rendering it more difficult for spontaneous coal combustion. In the small-scale fire extinguishing performance test, the double network of Al3+-CMC/PAM-MMT gel demonstrated effective suppression of spontaneous combustion of coal and reduced the susceptibility to re-ignition. The fire prevention mechanism of the gel was further explored experimentally.

Improving the Wettability and Fire Retardancy of Three-Phase Foam by Simulated Sea Mud

ABSTRACT As coal mining depths deepen and mining intensity increases, coal spontaneous combustion has become the leading cause of coal mining accidents. Sea mud is an environmentally friendly natural material rich in inorganic salts that inhibit coal oxidation. Based on sea mud, a new method of suppressing coal spontaneous combustion has been proposed by exploring the essential characteristics of sea mud three-phase foam with different concentrations. The results demonstrated that the contact angle of the three-phase foam solution with 20 wt% of sea mud decreased by 55.4° compared with that of pure water, the cross-point temperature of coal (245.85°C) increased by 16.15°C, and the peak temperature (490.57°C) increased by 16.47°C, which proved that its wettability and thermal stability were both enhanced. In conclusion, the three-phase foam with 20 wt% sea mud has been demonstrated to exhibit a superior ability to prevent the spontaneous combustion of coal.

Mechanism study of replacing adsorbed O2 molecules in different pore sizes under different CO2/N2 inert gas conditions

Injecting inert gases into the goaf is a crucial method for inhibiting coal spontaneous combustion. Research has verified that the co-injection of CO2 and N2 provides a more effective control measure compared to a single gas, but the microscopic mechanism underlying the synergistic displacement of O2 by CO2 and N2 remains unclear. Injecting inert gases into the goaf is a crucial method for inhibiting coal spontaneous combustion. Research has verified that the co-injection of CO2 and N2 provides a more effective control measure compared to a single gas, but the microscopic mechanism underlying the synergistic displacement of O2 by CO2 and N2 remains unclear. Here, for the constructed multi-scale aperture slit model, the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulation (GCMC) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation are used to investigate the mechanism of displacing adsorbed O2 molecules under different CO2/N2 inert gas conditions. The results indicate that CO2 and N2 aggregated on opposing sides of the coal molecules and dispersed within the slit layer, respectively. At 1 nm pore size, the relative concentration of O2 for optimal displacement was 1.054. The absolute value of the average binding energy is small when the CO2:N2 gas ratio is 80:20 and 40:60 at 2 nm and 4 nm apertures, respectively. This suggests that as the aperture size increases, the displacement effect on O2 shifts towards a higher proportion of N2, with a more conspicuous replacement effect as the aperture widens. The smaller pores ranging from 1-2 nm predominantly feature CO2 displacing adsorbed state O2, while larger pores exceeding 2 nm primarily N2 facilitate the transportation of free state O2.

A novel phosphogypsum based self-produced gas expansion slurry for preventing coal spontaneous combustion

In order to solve the coal spontaneous combustion disaster in the upper layer goaf during the slicing mining process, a slurry that can expand by self-produced gas was developed using phosphogypsum and sodium bicarbonate as raw materials. The effect of different factors on the performance of phosphogypsum based self-produced gas expansion slurry (PSES) was analyzed. The optimal ratio and conditions of PSES were determined through orthogonal experiments. The thermal insulation performance and cooling and fire extinguishing performance of PSES were studied. Finally, it was applied in Luwa coal mine in Shandong province. The research results indicated that the optimal experimental conditions and ratios for PSES were phosphogypsum content of 56 wt%, sodium bicarbonate content of 21 wt%, water temperature of 25 ℃, and mixing time of 65 s. Under these conditions, the expansion performance of the slurry was good, and the setting time and compressive strength can meet the requirements for sealing the coal and rock cracks in the goaf. Under the same heat source, the thicker the slurry, the better its thermal insulation effect. Under the same thickness, the higher the heat source temperature, the shorter the effective insulation time(EIT). After the slurry was injected into the cracks of the broken coal, it wrapped around the broken coal from bottom to top. The temperatures of A-layer, B-layer, and C-layer of the coal pile decreased in sequence. After half an hour of grouting, the temperatures at all points dropped below 50 ℃ without any reignition phenomenon. After injecting PSES into the coal spontaneous combustion dangerous area in the upper layer goaf, the concentrations of CO and O2 in the monitoring borehole decreased to a safe range, and the generated CO2 concentration finally stabilized at around 4.6 %. It showed that PSES can seal the coal and rock cracks in the goaf, suppress the coal spontaneous combustion, and guarantee the lower layer working face can be mined.

Effect of Sphingomonas polyaromaticivorans on spontaneous combustion of lignite during low-temperature oxidation

The inhibition of coal spontaneous combustion (CSC) by microorganisms presents an environmentally friendly method to reduce coal oxidation rates in mines and delay natural ignition. In this study, XRD, FTIR, and TG-DTG-DSC experiments were employed to analyze the inhibitory effect of microorganisms on CSC from both microstructural and macroscopic oxidation perspectives. The results indicated that microorganisms enhanced the ordering and graphitization of coal’s microcrystalline structure, reduced the number of functional groups, and disrupted aliphatic hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing groups. The average microcrystalline diameter and the number of effectively stacked aromatic layers decreased by 32.04 % and 27.22 %, respectively, while the total area of aliphatic hydrocarbon peaks decreased by 55.56 %. The characteristic temperature points shifted to higher zones, with the maximum weight loss rate temperature and burnout temperature exhibiting significant increases of 67.87℃ and 138.67℃, respectively. The thermal effect of coal oxidation was diminished, with total heat release decreasing by 77.8 J/mg. Additionally, the apparent activation energy (Ea) increased by 1.45 times, and the pre-exponential factor (ln A) reduced to 61.05 % of that of raw coal. This study establishes a foundation for future microbial inhibition of CSC.

Rheological Characterization of Inorganic Curing Foam for Preventing Spontaneous Combustion of Coal

ABSTRACT This study examines the rheological characteristics of inorganic cured foam (ICF). The apparent viscosity, yield stress, and modulus of elasticity of fresh cement-fly ash composite slurries with varying fly ash blending ratios at water/ash ratios of 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, and 0.7 were determined. The findings indicate that, under identical testing conditions, the apparent viscosity, yield stress, and modulus of elasticity of fresh cement-fly ash composite slurries (FCFS) gradually decrease with increasing water/ash ratio. The apparent viscosity and modulus of elasticity of inorganic curing foam (ICF) decrease as the volume expansion rate increases, while the linear viscoelastic region (LVER) broadens with higher volume expansion rates. Furthermore, the fitted apparent viscosity-shear stress curve for FCFS aligns with the power law model, whereas the apparent viscosity-shear stress curve for ICF slurries is better represented by the Carreau-Yasuda function model. The results of the study will contribute to the industrial application of inorganic curing foams for the prevention of spontaneous coal combustion.

Study on preparation and properties of steel slag based composite gel for mine fire prevention and extinguishing

A novel fire-preventing composite gel, mainly made from steel slag (SS) and silica fume (SF), was created for a coal mine’s spontaneous combustion. The gelation mechanism of the steel slag-based composite gel (SSG) was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The findings suggest that SSG is generated through the processes of hydration and geopolymerization involving SS and SF. And in the alkaline milieu of a 1.5 M water glass solution, SSG manifests enhanced strength and water retention capacities. Moreover, the fire prevention and extinguishing performance of the SSG was analyzed and verified using low-temperature oxidation, thermogravimetry, and low temperature nitrogen adsorption experiment (LTNA). The SSG has proven highly effective in suppressing spontaneous coal combustion by inhibiting CO production, raising the coal oxidation temperature, and reducing the contact area between oxygen and the coal body.

Quantitative characterisation of the influence of different environmental factors on coal spontaneous combustion

Quantitative characterisation of the influence of different environmental factors on coal spontaneous combustion

Study on sound wave kinematic characteristics and temperature sensing mechanism during the warming process of loose coals

Coal spontaneous combustion is a major threat for safe production. In order to achieve the application of sound wave technology to the monitoring and early warning of coal spontaneous combustion, clarify the propagation characteristics of sound waves in loose coal heating process, and illustrate the temperature sensing mechanism of the sound wave detection and early warning of coal spontaneous combustion, the present study built a test system of sound wave kinematic parameter for loose coals to survey the attenuation characteristics of sound wave propagation during loose coal heating. The elastic wave CT algorithm was used to reconstruct the sound wave velocity field, clarify the propagation path, and identify the temperature anomaly area. The results show that with the increase of temperature, the time for sound wave propagation reduces rapidly and then slowly, the velocity increases gradually, and the internal structure and pores of coals become enlarged. In the sound velocity field reconstructed on the basis of SIRT algorithm, the area with high value corresponds to the high temperature area of the coal, which better reflects the changes of the temperature anomaly area during coal heating.