Substantiation of laboratory facilities set to study physico-mechanical properties of coal-gas-moisture composites

Abstract

Intensive development of coal deposits along with introduction of advanced high-performance machinery leads to higher number of fire- and explosion-hazardous events induced by gas dynamic phenomena at mines. Mass media regularly inform on tragic events concerning the combustible gas explosions and loss of lives at collieries in Russia and abroad. The main subject is development of a composite on the basis of solid coal and rock particles, gasses (methane, hydrogen) and moisture, prone to penetrate into mechanisms, initiating catastrophic dynamic processes in course of mining operations. The present research objective is foundation of a laboratory base to develop coal-gas-moisture composites in the form of coal cores, experimental investigation into their physico-mechanical properties. The special stand for development and investigation into coal-gas-moisture composites was designed. The relationships of variations in physico-mechanical properties of cores versus pressure were obtained experimentally on various materials (coal, limestone, graphite, etc) at the new-designed stand. The long-flame coal of different coarseness were used to establish specific variations in temperature, deformation of briquetted mass, its density under increase in pressure up to 200 MPa. It is demonstrated that temperature of a coal briquette increases by maximum 14 °C under atmosphere pressure and 10 °C in vacuum. The test stand allows physical modeling of coal and rocks with account for their material composition. The scientific novelty involves development of composites simulating mineral coal and rocks under prescribed physical and mechanical conditions.