1st Edition

Physics of Coal and Mining Processes

By Anatoly D. Alexeev Copyright 2012
    384 Pages 183 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    383 Pages 183 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Around the world, on average, four coal miners die for each million tons of coal recovered. Improving the safety of mining work while responding to the need for increased coal production, however, is impossible without further development of the physics of mining processes. A relatively new branch of science, it tackles problems that arise during mineral products recovery, particularly safety issues such as rock failures, coal and gas outbursts, and methane explosions.

    The first book to present a unifying methodology for addressing problems such as outbursts and explosions of methane in coal mining, Physics of Coal and Mining Processes integrates theoretical and experimental research on coal and bearing rocks and examines the anthropogenic processes that occur during deep underground mining.

    The book summarizes the results of recent and established research, including studies conducted at the Institute of Physics of Mining Processes of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, headed by the author. Key topics covered include rock mass in multi-component compressive stress fields and phase conditions of methane in coal. The book also examines state-of-the-art instrumentation and physical methods of analysis, among them x-ray analysis of coal structures combined with computer simulation and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy combined with gas chromatography.

    Bridging the gap between the academic theory and the practice of coal mining, the book proposes novel methods to predict rock mass condition, control gas-dynamic phenomena, and estimate safe mining loads. A useful reference for scientists, technicians, and engineers working in the coal industry, it also offers an overview of the physics of mining processes for students pursuing careers in the field.

    Coal Structure
    Genesis of Coal Substance
    Elemental Compositions of Coals
    Structure of Organic Mass
    X-Ray Studies
    Literature Review
    Structural Peculiarities of Coal–Methane System
    New Approach to Analyzing Coal via Scattering X-Ray Investigation
    Conclusions
    Porosity
    General Characteristics
    Neutron Scattering
    Fractality
    Closed Porosity of Donbass Coals
    Conclusions
    References

    Equilibrium Phase States and Mass Transfer in Coal-Methane Systems
    Equilibrium and Dynamics of Mass Exchange between Sorbed and Free Methane
    Gaseous State of Methane in System of Opened and Closed Pores
    Solid Solution of Methane in Coal: Absorption and Adsorption
    Diffusion of Methane from Coal Lumps into Filtration Volume: Efficient Diffusion Coefficient
    Joint Flow of Filtration and Diffusion Processes in Coal Massifs
    Double-Time Models of Mass Transfer: Fast and Slow Methane
    Methane Escaping from Coal into Closed Volume: Role of Backpressure
    Methane Flow from Coal Seam into Worked-Out Space
    Methane Accumulation in Dangerous Coal Lump Regions
    Time for Formation of Highly Explosive Methane–Air Mixture
    Thermodynamic Gibbs Potential for Gas–Coal Massif: Prognosis for Localization of Coal Burst Sections of Seam
    Investigation of Phase State and Desorption Mechanisms of Methane in Coal
    Methane Phase States in Coal
    Kinetics and Mechanisms of Methane Desorption from Coal
    Transformation of Methane Desorption Mechanism: Three Stages of Desorption
    Conclusions
    References

    Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of Coal and Rocks
    Experimental Techniques
    High Resolution Spectrometers
    Wide Line Spectrometers
    High Pressure Technique
    Coal Structure Research
    Determining Structural Components of Coals through 1H NMR Data
    Application of 13C NMR for Analyzing Coal Structures
    Research of Donets Basin Coals
    Phase States of Water and Methane in Coal
    Water–Coal Adsorption
    Adsorption by Impulse NMR
    Water in Rocks
    Methane in Coal
    Phase State of Binding in Rocks
    Polymer Compositions in Coals
    Bindings in Rocks
    Conclusions
    References

    Behaviors of Rocks and Coals in Volumetric Fields of Compressive Stresses
    Experimental Technique
    Literature Review
    True Triaxial Compression Unit
    Strength Properties of Rocks Treated by Different Binders
    Experimental Methods and Estimates of Strengthening
    Width of Fissure Openings
    Moisture of Rocks under Strengthening
    Temperature of Surroundings
    Conclusions
    Influence of Loading Method and Loading History on Volumetric Strength
    Loading Method
    Loading History
    Conclusions
    Coal Destruction
    Mechanism of Coal Destruction
    Filtration Properties
    Changes of Fissured and Porous Structures
    Limit State
    Post-Limit State
    Essence of Problem
    Post-Limit Deformation under True Triaxial Compression
    Conclusions
    References

    Genesis of Natural Gases, Methane Extraction, and Coal Mining Safety
    Genesis of Gases in Coal-Bearing Series
    Methane Isotopic Analysis: Literature Review
    Methane Isotopic Analysis: Experiment and Discussion
    Mossbauer Spectroscopy
    Stoichiometry of Reaction
    Conclusions
    Dependence of Outburst Proneness on Mineral Inclusions
    Experiments and Discussion
    Conclusions
    Electromagnetic Method of Seam Degassing
    Electric Dipole
    Magnetic Dipole
    Conclusions
    Physics of Fissured Porous Coal Structure Transformation under Influence of Unloading Wave
    Influence of Gas Content on Stability of Coal–Gas System
    Modeling of Porous Medium
    Movement of Wave of Unloading
    Transformation of Pores into Fissures
    Classification of Gas-Dynamic Phenomenon Type
    Criteria of GDP
    Parameters and Technology of Method
    Predicting Coal Seam and Sandstone Outburst Danger
    Outburst Dangers of Coal Seams
    Rock and Gas Outbursts
    Safe Extraction of Coal
    Outburst Control Measures
    Safe Load on Working Face
    References

    Biography

    Anatoly Dmitriyevich Alexeev is the leading earth scientist in Ukraine. Dr. Alexeev has combined a career in physics, chemistry, and engineering with teaching, research, and writing more than 300 publications, 14 monographs, and 50 patents. He developed the theory of gas absorption and emission in porous media and an applied approach to extreme states or rocks and rock massifs.

    Dr. Alexeev’s areas of interest in basic and applied research include the physics of rocks and mining processes, radiophysics, extreme states of solids, and physic-chemical mechanics. He studied the effects of surfagents on stress states of rocks and implemented surfagents to prevent outbursts in coal mines. He also applied nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to studies of methane–coal systems and developed new methods and technologies for predicting mine outbursts.

    Dr. Alexeev is a corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, a member of the Academy of Mining Sciences of Ukraine, and the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. In recognition of his accomplishments, Dr. Alexeev was awarded the State Prize of Ukraine (1996), the A.A. Skotchinsky prize (1990), and the I. Puluy prize (2001). He was designated an Honored Miner of Ukraine (1996) and received several President’s medals in all three classes for "Valiant Labour," "Miner’s Glory," and "Miner’s Valour."