Prediction of Water Inrush Hazard in Fully Mechanized Coal Seams' Mining Under Aquifers by Numerical Simulation

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Technical University have proposed an algorithm for assessing the risk of water inrush from aquifers in coal mining operations. The study, published in the journal Applied Sciences, demonstrates the use of numerical simulation in ANSYS software to predict the risk of rock failure in the aquifer zone. The research aims to mitigate the negative impact of water inflows on coal mine productivity and minimize hazards to miners.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study focuses on the Xinhu Coal Mine in Anhui Province, China, where a water inflow occurred due to fractures in the sandstone overburden rock.
  • The algorithm proposed by the researchers uses stress and strain parameters as safety factors to predict the risk of rock failure in the aquifer zone.
  • The probability of rock mass failure indicates a low risk of the occurrence of a water-flowing fractured zone in the case of the Xinhu Coal Mine's number 817 longwall panel.
  • The study highlights the importance of assessing the height of the water-flowing fractured zone to prevent water inflows and ensure the safety of miners.
  • The researchers employed ANSYS 17.2 simulation to model the complex anticline coal seam bedding and assess the risk of water inrush from aquifers.
  • The proposed algorithm can be used to predict the risk of water inrush in other coal mines, reducing the likelihood of accidents and minimizing the negative impact on productivity.
  • The study's findings have significant practical implications for the coal mining industry, as they can inform the development of effective water management strategies and mitigate the risks associated with water inflows.

Statistics:

  • The study focuses on the Xinhu Coal Mine, which has a longwall panel with a number 817 designation.
  • The researchers used ANSYS 17.2 software to simulate the coal seam bedding and assess the risk of rock failure in the aquifer zone.
  • The proposed algorithm is based on stress and strain parameters, which are used as safety factors to predict the risk of rock failure.
  • The probability of rock mass failure indicates a low risk of the occurrence of a water-flowing fractured zone, which is a significant finding for the coal mining industry.

Sources:

  • Sakhno, I., et al. (2025). Prediction of Water Inrush Hazard in Fully Mechanized Coal Seams' Mining Under Aquifers by Numerical Simulation in ANSYS Software. Applied Sciences, 15(8), 4302. (Applied Sciences - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci)
  • NewsRx. Researchers at Technical University Publish New Data on Applied Sciences (Prediction of Water Inrush Hazard in Fully Mechanized Coal Seams' Mining Under Aquifers by Numerical Simulation in ANSYS Software). Science Letter. May 16, 2025; p 1038.