Coal and gas outburst hazards and factors of the No. B-1 Coalbed, Henan, China

摘要

Coal and gas outburst disaster of the No. B-1 Coalbed, Henan, China, have lasted for nearly 60 years, and the threat will become more and more serious as mining depths continuously increase. However, coal and gas outburst characteristics and factors of the coalbed have not been studied in detail. To effectively prevent and control coal and gas outburst, we analyzed the type, intensity, location and precursors of coal and gas outburst occurring in the No. B-1 Coalbed. Moreover, the effects of geological conditions (burial depth, faults, folds, coalbed thickness and dip) and mining disturbances on coal and gas outburst were studied. The results showed that these outburst accidents were mostly typical, small-sized and medium-sized outburst, which mainly occurred at the coal roadway working faces. There were many precursors such as blasting sound, changes in coal structure, and abnormal gas emission prior to the accidents. Within a burial depth of 500 m, the average outburst intensity had a stronger correlation with the burial depth, which was more obvious at a burial depth of 301 similar to 400 m, and less obvious at a burial depth of 401 similar to 500 m. However, the distribution of these outbursts barely changed within the burial depth. Up to 99.15% of coal and gas outburst occurred at faults, folds, and areas with changes in coalbed thickness and dip. Up to 68.25% were induced by blasting and 18.04% occurred during shelving, coal-shoveling and no operation. The No. B-1 Coalbed was characterized by delayed outbursts. Moreover, specific suggestions were recommended for the prevention and control of coal and gas outburst. The study is useful to government regulators and staffs engaged in the prevention and control of coal and gas outburst.