The prediction exactness of coalbed methane (CBM) content and productivity correlates closely with the gas adsorption rules of coal, but there is a noticeable difference in the gas adsorption rules between deformed and undeformed coal. One of the main factors affecting the gas adsorption capacity of coal is pore structure, which is affected by the particle size, and it is also one of the essential differences between deformed and undeformed coal. In this work, we experimentally study the law of the pore structure and gas adsorption capacity with the particle size. Results show that the specific surface area and the pore volume of undeformed coal increase significantly as the particle size decreases, while the variation trend of those of deformed coal is insignificant. The fractal dimension D₂ and the particle size show a U-shaped correlation. The fractal dimension D₂ reaches the minimum value at a coal particle size of 1–3 mm and 0.2–0.25 mm for deformed and undeformed coal, respectively. The D₂ values of deformed and undeformed coal are closest in the case of particle sizes smaller than 0.1 mm. The difference in the adsorption capacity between deformed and undeformed coal diminishes with the decreasing particle size as the pore structure characteristics of undeformed coal gradually approach those of deformed coal. The obtained conclusions provide a theoretical foundation for the selection of the particle size of coal samples so as to predict coal and gas outburst disasters and CBM productivity accurately.

Overburden key strata (KS) have a significant influence on abutment pressure distribution. However, current calculation methods for working surface abutment pressure do not consider the influence of the overburden KS. This study uses KS theory to analyze the overburden load transferred to coal‐rock masses on both sides of the stope through fractured blocks in different layers of the KS in the fissure zone and KS in different layers of the curve subsidence zone. Using Winkler’s elastic foundation beam theory, we consider the fissure zone KS on the coal mass side and the curve subsidence zone KS as many elastic foundation beams interact with each other. A method to calculate the abutment pressure of the coal mass and the goaf was then established, considering the influence of the overburden KS. The abutment pressure distribution of working surface 207 after mining was then calculated using our method, based on mining conditions present in the Tingnan coal mine. The calculated results were verified using measurements from borehole stress meters and microseismic monitoring systems, as well as numerical simulations. In addition, the calculation results were used to determine a reasonable position for the stopping line and remaining width of the roadway’s protection coal pillar in working surface 207. The results of this study can be used to calculate the abutment pressure distribution of the working surface under a variety of overburden KS conditions. The results can also provide guidance for forecasting and preventing mine dynamic hazards, controlling the surrounding rock in mining roadways, determining reasonable widths for protection coal pillars, and designing the layout of mining roadways.

Overburden conditions consisting of ultrathick and hard stratum (UTHS) are widespread in China and other countries, but existing surface subsidence prediction methods ignore the strong impact of UTHS on surface subsidence. They are thus not applicable for surface subsidence prediction for coal mining with the presence of UTHS. We conducted actual measurements of surface and UTHS subsidence in the Tingnan Coal Mine. The results showed that under the UTHS mining condition, the required gob dimension is much larger than the empirical value when the surface reaches sufficient mining and that the actual measured maximum value of surface subsidence is much smaller than the empirical value. The UTHS subsidence is approximately equal to the surface subsidence. The movement of UTHS has a strong impact on surface subsidence and has a controlling function for it. It was proposed that surface subsidence could be approximately predicted by calculating the UTHS subsidence. The UTHS movement characteristics were studied using Winkler’s theory of beams on an elastic foundation, the subsidence prediction equation of the main sections in the strike and dip directions was obtained under different mining dimensions, and the subsidence prediction equation of any arbitrary cross section parallel to the two main sections was established. Then, the surface subsidence prediction method for coal mining with the presence of UTHS was developed, and the influences of UTHS thickness, strength, and layer position on the surface subsidence were discussed. The Tingnan Coal Mine was taken as an example, and the subsidence curves of the strike and dip main sections were calculated using different mining dimensions. Subsequently, the surface subsidence after the mining of working faces 204, 205, 206, and 207, respectively, was predicted, and the prediction method was verified by comparing the results with the measured surface subsidence results of working faces 204, 205, and 206.

There is a layer of the unconsolidated confined aquifer (UCA) made of non-cemented sand and grit on the bed of Quaternary thick topsoil in many coal mines in east and north China. Existing on the bedrock of coal measures, it poses a serious threat to coal mine safety. Worse, it caused many supports crushing and water inrush disasters (SCWIDs) and resulted in significant economic losses. Aiming at the above problems, this paper adopts a simulation experiment, field measurement, engineering detection, and theoretical analysis to conduct the research. The research reveals the overburden’s destructive rules during mining under UCA. The results indicate that UCA plays an important role in the process of load transfer due to its mobility and replenishment in time. When mining close to the aquifer, the load transfer of aquifer leads to overburden breaking entirely and sliding instability of the bond-beam structure, then, the water flowing fractured zone develops rapidly and connects the aquifer, which is the fundamental reason for SCWID under the UCA. Based on the mechanism of SCWID, a prediction method of support crushing and water inrush hazard zones was put forward. Artificial pre-split blasting based on the location of a key stratum was applied to prevent SCWID. The proposed methods have been used in 7₁31 working face and safe mining was achieved.

Nanoparticles are added to clean fracturing fluids to formulate nanoparticle-modified clean fracturing fluids, compared with ordinary clean fracturing fluid, it has the advantages of good temperature resistance, low loss of filtration, and so forth, and has good application prospects in coal-bed methane. However, the current research on nanoparticle-modified clean fracturing fluids is mostly focused on the study of their rheological properties. The mechanism of nano-fracking fluid influence on methane adsorption-desorption characteristics is not clear. Therefore, this study chooses Jiulishan anthracite coal (high-rank coal), Pingdingshan coal (medium-rank coal), and Geng village mine long bituminous coal (low-rank coal) of the three rank coal samples. Using indoor experiments and molecular simulation methods, a study on the influence of methane adsorption and desorption capacity and diffusion ability of coal samples provides a modified fracturing fluid formulation of 0.8% CATB + 0.2% NaSal + 1% KCl + SiO₂. The experimental results show that nanofracturing fluid-treated coal samples compared to clean fracturing fluid treated coal samples, both methane adsorption and desorption capacities, were increased to some extent. Construction of methane adsorption systems with different apertures and calculation of isosteric heat of adsorption, indicating that the interaction force between methane and coal molecules is smaller after nanofracturing fluid treatment, which facilitated methane desorption. A simulation study of methane diffusion in coal samples treated with two systems of fracturing fluids at different aperture was carried out using molecular dynamics methods, indicating that nanoparticle-modified clean fracturing fluids can reduce the damage of clean fracturing fluids to the desorption-diffusion ability of coal reservoirs. Comparison of 6 MPa as the most suitable pressure for nanofracturing fluids to function provides a basis for the future development of nanofracturing fluids and their popularization.

N₂ injection into coal seams can effectively enhance the gas flow capacity in the late stage of pumping, thereby improving the recovery rate and recovery efficiency of low coalbed methane (CBM). To reveal the thermodynamic flow coupling relationship between the reservoir and the gas phase and its transportation mechanism in the process of thermal N₂ injection, a mathematical coupling model of N₂ injection that considers the deformation of the coal seam, fluid transportation, and temperature change was established. The influence of the seepage heat transfer effect of the coal seam under the effect of N₂ injection on the CH₄ extraction rate was investigated using this model. Results indicate that the action mechanism of N₂ injection in coal seams includes increasing seepage, promoting flow, and displacing gases. A higher initial coal seam temperature results in a smaller thermal expansion and deformation of the coal skeleton during thermal N₂ injection and less pronounced coal permeability increase. A larger initial coal seam permeability results in more favorable N₂ diffusion, which strengthens the flow-promoting effect on CH₄. The effect of gas injection pressure on CH₄ recovery is greater than that of the gas injection temperature: High pressure promotes N₂ seepage, carries CH₄ flow, and increases the CH₄ diffusion effect, whereas higher temperature promotes the desorption of adsorbed gas in the coal seam and improves the recovery rate.