Sajjad Aghababaei; Hossein Jalalifar; Ali Hosseini; Farhad Chinaei; Mehdi Najafi
Abstract
In this work, two rock engineering system (RES)-based models are presented, the first model to predict the roof failure when a longwall face advances toward a pre-driven recovery room (PDRR) and the second model to select the type of recovery room method for longwall mining. For the first model, an international ...
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In this work, two rock engineering system (RES)-based models are presented, the first model to predict the roof failure when a longwall face advances toward a pre-driven recovery room (PDRR) and the second model to select the type of recovery room method for longwall mining. For the first model, an international database of 43 case histories from the pre-driven rooms including technical parameters and type of corresponding operation outcome of each case history is considered. In this regard, a vulnerability index (VI) that refers to the risk of roof failure is calculated for each case history and the VIs are compared with the type of the corresponding outcomes. The obtained results indicate that the calculated VIs have a good adaptation with the corresponding outcomes. This approach could be used to analyze the risk of failure in PDRR, and determine the critical VI that specifies the boundary between the hazard range and the safe range that leads to an accurate operational planning. In the following, a method called multi-options RES-based model (MORESM) is adopted for the selection of recovery room methods in longwall operation. By this model, selecting the optimum option from several options in terms of many effective parameters on the system is possible. Based on the evaluations, CRR, PDRR3, and PDRR2&3 are the suitable options for the case study. This model could introduce the suitable option based on geotechnical conditions but the final decision depends on the economic policy of the managing team.
S. Aghababaei; H. Jalalifar; A. Hosseini
Abstract
Providing an approach to calculate a suitable panel width for the longwall mining method is considered considering both the technical and economic factors. Based on the investigations carried out, a technical-economic model is proposed to calculate a suitable panel width. The proposed model is a combination ...
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Providing an approach to calculate a suitable panel width for the longwall mining method is considered considering both the technical and economic factors. Based on the investigations carried out, a technical-economic model is proposed to calculate a suitable panel width. The proposed model is a combination of the rock engineering system-based model and the technical relationships to estimate the expected actual face advance rate of the longwall panel and also the economic relationships to determine the operational costs. Applying the technical conditions to the presented model is conducted by the vulnerability index of the advancing operation, which considers the face advance rate as the main important factor that controls the operational costs of the longwall face. The performance evaluation of the presented model is possible by the recordable field data, which is one of its advantages. This process is carried out by a case study, and the results obtained indicate that the developed approach can provide an applicable tool to calculate a suitable panel width.
Exploitation
M. Mohtasham Seyfi; J. Khademi Hamidi; M. Monjezi; A. Hosseini
Abstract
Methane gas emission, accumulation, and explosion are the most important risk factors in underground coal mines. Hence, having a knowledge of methane gas emission potential in underground coal mines is of crucial importance in preventing the explosion risk, loss of life, and property, and providing miners' ...
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Methane gas emission, accumulation, and explosion are the most important risk factors in underground coal mines. Hence, having a knowledge of methane gas emission potential in underground coal mines is of crucial importance in preventing the explosion risk, loss of life, and property, and providing miners' safety. The purpose of this work is to provide the prediction maps for the C1, C2, and B2 coal seams gas contents, and to identify high gas content panels in the Parvadeh No. 1, Tabas coal mine. For this, the data collected from exploratory boreholes is put into geostatistical analysis in ArcGIS in order to estimate the coal seams gas content in unsampled points using the kriging estimation method. Reviewing the gas content maps has revealed that seams of C1, B2, and C2 have gas contents more than 15 cubic meters per ton in about 84%, 55%, and 22% of the understudied area, respectively. The present work highlights the potential and the need for implementation of a methane pre-drainage system, particularly in deeper longwall panels.
Exploitation
A. Hosseini; M. Najafi; Seyed A. Shojaatlhosseini; R. Rafiee
Abstract
The longwall mining method is one of the most applied methods in extracting low-inclined to high-inclined coal seams. Selection of the most suitable extraction equipment is very important in the economical, safety, and productivity aspects of mining operations. There are a lot of parameters affecting ...
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The longwall mining method is one of the most applied methods in extracting low-inclined to high-inclined coal seams. Selection of the most suitable extraction equipment is very important in the economical, safety, and productivity aspects of mining operations. There are a lot of parameters affecting the selection of an extraction equipment in mechanized longwall mining in steeply inclined coal seams. The important criteria involved are the geometric properties of coal seam (dip, thickness, and uniformity of coal seam), geological and hydraulic conditions (faults, fractures, joints, and underground water), and geomechanical properties of coal seam and surrounding rocks. Extraction of inclined coal seams with gradients greater than 40 degree is different from low-inclined seams, and requires a special equipment. Therefore, the influence of the above-mentioned parameters must be considered simultaneously in the selection of extraction equipment for steeply inclined seams. This paper presents an application of the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method in order to select a suitable extraction equipment in the Hamkar coal mine. In the proposed FAHP model, fifteen main criteria are considered, as follow: dip of coal seam, thickness of coal seam, seam uniformity, expansion of coal seam, faults, fractures and joints, underground waters, hangingwall strength, footwall strength, coal strength, in-situ stress, equipment salvage, dilution, system flexibility, and operational costs. Among the 6 considered longwall extraction equipment system alternatives, the findings show that the most suitable extraction equipment system is shearer on footwall and a support system using hydraulic props and the transport of coal with the force of gravity.