Analysis of methane emissions sources into the environment of the longwall mining during coal extraction (A case Study)

The release of methane into the working area of coal mines can affect safety and production. The methane naturally produced and stored in coal and surrounding strata can be released from different sources in longwall mining. The rate and amount of gas released depends on the initial amount of gas in the coal (gas content), the strength of the coal‐bearing strata, the geometry of the mine workings, the rate of coal production, and coal seam permeability. This paper reviews analysis and assessment of methane emission sources into the longwall environment. For this issue, experts’ ideas in the field of ventilation and methane drainage operation were collected and the opinions of these experts were analyzed. The results showed that methane emission from the overlaying strata and methane emission from the underlaying strata are respectively the most methane emission sources to the Goaf area and then to the longwall environment.

Analysis of methane emissions sources into the environment of the longwall mining during coal extraction (A case Study) Keywords:

Longwall mining , Methane emission , Methane sources , gas content