Study on Gas Enrichment Mechanism of Coal Seam Influenced by Vertical Stress on Mountainous Region Condition

Abstract

The controlling effect of vertical stress of mountainous region on gas occurrence of the coal seam below it has always been ignored. In order to clearly express its influence mechanism, the change laws of depth, stress, and permeability of coal seam pressurised by the overlying mountain were studied based on the Winkler elastic foundation beam theory and seepage theory in the paper. At the same time, the enrichment mechanism of the coal seam pressurised by the overlying mountain was analyzed. The results showed the following: (1) There was a significantly strong correlation between the stress, permeability change rule of the coal seam, burial depth, and surface elevation under such condition. (2) Under the action of the vertical pressure of the mountain, the stress and permeability distribution of the coal seam showed significant nonlinear characteristics. The stress was the greatest under the peak, and the permeability was the smallest. (3) The initial gas content value was controlled by the permeability and the stress of the coal seam in the situation. Moreover, the field practice showed that under the action of vertical pressure of the mountain, the evaluation law of gas content was coupling with the surface elevation of the overlying mountain. In addition, the gas emission change law during the excavation of the driving face also showed the same characteristics. The results might be of great significance for the development and utilization of coal-bed gas and the safe exploitation of coal resources.