Technologies for controlling water inrushes from coal seam floors under flowing water and their water plugging performance

Authors

• YANG Zhibin, CCTEG Xi’an Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710077, China; State Key Laboratory of Coal Mine Disaster Prevention and Control, Xi’an 710077, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Technology for Coal Mine Water Hazard, Xi’an 710077, ChinaFollow

Abstract

Objective Limestone water hazards in coal seam floors represent one of the two primary categories of mine water hazards in China. Limestone aquifers are generally characterized by abundant static water reserves and considerable dynamic water recharge. To reduce economic losses and casualties caused by water inrushes from limestone aquifers, post-disaster emergency rescue through grouting for water plugging is frequently carried out under flowing water.Methods Based on numerous cases of water inrush control under flowing water in China and the fundamental requirements for control scheme design, this study presents a systematic review of existing technologies for water inrush control under flowing water, along with their advantages and limitations. Furthermore, this study categorizes the conditions for water inrush control under flowing water, summarizes existing control modes, and elucidates the common indicators for evaluating the water plugging performance of various control technologies. Following an analysis of typical cases, this study proposes the common challenges and future development directions for water inrush control under flowing water.Results and Conclusions The results indicate that technologies for water inrush control under flowing water can be classified into three types: (1) cutting off water in water-flowing roadways by constructing water blocking walls to reduce water filling intensity, (2) cutting off water in water inrush pathways by constructing water-stop plugs to block water filling pathways, and (3) blocking water sources in the aquifers subjected to water inrushes by constructing grouting curtain to block water sources, with the first and second categories can be further divided into three and two types, respectively. Among the three major technology categories, cutting off water in water-flowing roadways exhibits the shortest operation duration. However, this technology fails to eliminate the possibility of water inrush recurrence in the original area suffering from water inrushes. The second type of this technology is only applicable to water plugging in environments with low water inrush pressure, low flow rates, and high mechanical strength of surrounding rocks. Generally, cutting off water in water inrush pathways can deliver the optimal water plugging performance when combining cutting off water in water-flowing roadways. Despite the longest operation duration, blocking water sources in the aquifers subjected to water inrushes exhibits the highest safety factor. This technology typically offers the optimal water plugging performance when combining cutting off water in water inrush pathways. Based on the submergence conditions of the underground drainage pump room following water inrushes, the conditions for water inrush control under flowing water can be classified into two types: unsubmerged mines and incompletely submerged mines, with the latter type commonly observed. Notably, water plugging operations are the most challenging when the submergence water level falls below the elevation of the water inrush point. Based on whether water inrush points and pathways are identified and whether the spatial relationships between mine roadways around water inrush points are determined, water inrush control under flowing water can be classified into three types: direct water plugging, post-detection water inrush control, and detection-control combination with a focus on detection. The modes of water inrush control under flowing water consist of three water plugging modes based on a single technology and two water plugging modes based on the combination of two technologies. For water inrushes occurring during roadway tunnelling, the recommended control modes include the technology of cutting off water in water-flowing roadways, the technology of cutting off water in water inrush pathways, and the combination of both. For water inrushes occurring during coal mining, primary control modes encompass the technology of blocking water sources in the aquifers subjected to water inrushes, the technology of cutting off water in water inrush pathways, and the combination of both. Water inrush control under flowing water represents typical post-disaster grouting engineering characterized by instantaneous grouting responses. The water plugging performance is primarily evaluated based on measured variations in both water inrush volume and the water level of aquifers subjected to water inrushes, supplemented by borehole grouting characterization and geophysical monitoring. Common indicators for various evaluation methods include the mechanical strength and permeability of the final grouted water-blocking bodies. Focusing on the commonly used first and third types of the technology of cutting off water in water-flowing roadways, a fluid-solid coupling mathematical model is established for numerical simulations of water inrush control under flowing water. The simulation results indicate that the skeletons of water blocking walls constructed for the third type exhibit high water resistance and low permeability. A common challenge in water inrush control under flowing water is that the cement grout for grouting struggles to rapidly settle, accumulate, and consolidate within the target area of water plugging. This issue leads to substantial engineering workload and prolonged grouting duration. Future development directions include (1) deepening the theoretical research on grouting under flowing water, establishing engineering disciplines for water inrush control under flowing water, and developing control standards for grouting engineering under flowing water; (2) constructing transparent geological systems for factors controlling water filling in mines; and (3) the research and development (R&D) of grouting materials with controllable diffusion ranges and flow directions, high bond strength, excellent toughness, encouraging impermeability, excellent injectivity, low costs, and wide sources, as well as the R&D of efficient, controllable, and intelligent grouting equipment and processes.

Keywords

limestone water inrush from a coal seam floor, control under flowing water, cutting off water through grouting, blocking water sources in aquifers, grout-conserving bag, fluid-solid coupling, water plugging performance

DOI

10.12363/issn.1001-1986.25.10.0745

Recommended Citation

Y. (2026) "Technologies for controlling water inrushes from coal seam floors under flowing water and their water plugging performance," Coal Geology & Exploration: Vol. 54: Iss. 4, Article 14.
DOI: 10.12363/issn.1001-1986.25.10.0745
Available at: https://cge.researchcommons.org/journal/vol54/iss4/14

Reference

[1] 董书宁,虎维岳. 中国煤矿水害基本特征及其主要影响因素[J]. 煤田地质与勘探,2007,35(5):34−37

DONG Shuning,HU Weiyue. Basic characteristics and main controlling factors of coal mine water hazard in China[J]. Coal Geology & Exploration,2007,35(5):34−37

[2] 虎维岳,田干. 我国煤矿水害类型及其防治对策[J]. 煤炭科学技术,2010,38(1):92−96

HU Weiyue,TIAN Gan. Mine water disaster type and prevention and control countermeasures in China[J]. Coal Science and Technology,2010,38(1):92−96

[3] 董书宁,王皓,周振方. 我国煤矿水害防治工作现状及发展趋势[J]. 劳动保护,2020(8):58−60

[4] 靳德武. 我国煤矿水害防治技术新进展及其方法论思考[J]. 煤炭科学技术,2017,45(5):141−147

JIN Dewu. New development of water disaster prevention and control technology in China coal mine and consideration on methodology[J]. Coal Science and Technology,2017,45(5):141−147

[5] 崔芳鹏,武强,林元惠,等. 中国煤矿水害综合防治技术与方法研究[J]. 矿业科学学报,2018,3(3):219−228

CUI Fangpeng,WU Qiang,LIN Yuanhui,et al. Prevention and control techniques & methods for water disasters at coal mines in China[J]. Journal of Mining Science and Technology,2018,3(3):219−228

[6] 连会青,杨俊文,韩瑞刚,等. 基于“情景–应对”的矿井水灾事故应急决策机制[J]. 煤田地质与勘探,2020,48(1):120−128

LIAN Huiqing,YANG Junwen,HAN Ruigang,et al. “Scenario–response”–based emergency decision–making mechanism of mine water inrush disaster[J]. Coal Geology & Exploration,2020,48(1):120−128

[7] 王皓,董书宁,姬亚东,等. 煤矿水害智能化防控平台架构及关键技术[J]. 煤炭学报,2022,47(2):883−892

WANG Hao,DONG Shuning,JI Yadong,et al. Key technology and platform development of intelligent prevention and control on coal mine water disaster[J]. Journal of China Coal Society,2022,47(2):883−892

[8] 董书宁. 人工智能技术在煤矿水害防治智能化发展中的应用[J]. 煤矿安全,2023,54(5):1−12

DONG Shuning. Application of artificial intelligence technology in intelligent development of coal mine water disaster prevention and control[J]. Safety in Coal Mines,2023,54(5):1−12

[9] 牟林. 过水大断面截流堵巷工程若干关键技术问题的探讨[J]. 煤炭学报,2021,46(11):3525−3535

MOU Lin. Discussion on key technical problems of water cutting–off engineering in submerged roadway with large–cross section[J]. Journal of China Coal Society,2021,46(11):3525−3535

[10] 董书宁,牟林. 突水淹没矿井动水巷道截流阻水墙建造技术研究[J]. 煤炭科学技术,2021,49(1):294−303

DONG Shuning,MOU Lin. Study on construction technology of water blocking wall in hydrodynamic pathway of submerged mine due to water inrush[J]. Coal Science and Technology,2021,49(1):294−303

[11] 惠爽. 矿井淹没巷道多孔灌注骨料封堵模拟试验[D]. 徐州：中国矿业大学，2018.

HUI Shuang. An experimental investigation on pouring aggregate to plug an inundated mine tunnel through boreholes[D]. Xuzhou：China University of Mining and Technology，2018.

[12] 董书宁,杨志斌,朱明诚,等. 过水巷道动水快速截流大型模拟实验系统研制[J]. 煤炭学报,2020,45(9):3226−3235

DONG Shuning,YANG Zhibin,ZHU Mingcheng,et al. Development of large–scale simulation experiment system for dynamic water rapid sealing in flowing water roadway[J]. Journal of China Coal Society,2020,45(9):3226−3235

[13] 杨志斌. 煤层底板突水灾害动水快速截流机理及预注浆效果定量评价[D]. 北京：煤炭科学研究总院，2021.

YANG Zhibin. Mechanism of the rapid interception of the flowing water and the quantitative evaluation of the pre–grouting effect of water inrush disaster in coal seam floor[D]. Beijing：China Coal Research Institute，2021.

[14] 李昂,李远谋,姬亚东,等. 煤矿多孔骨料注浆截流试验机理研究[J]. 煤炭科学技术,2024,52(增刊2):153−161

LI Ang,LI Yuanmou,JI Yadong,et al. Research on experimental mechanism of grouting and interception of porous aggregate in coal mine[J]. Coal Science and Technology,2024,52(Sup.2):153−161

[15] 杨志斌. 保浆袋囊钻孔控制注浆动水快速截流机制数值模拟[J]. 煤田地质与勘探,2023,51(6):111−120

YANG Zhibin. Numerical simulations of the rapid interception mechanisms by the borehole–controlled grouting with grout–conserving bags under flowing water[J]. Coal Geology & Exploration,2023,51(6):111−120

[16] 何思源. 开滦范各庄矿岩溶陷落柱特大突水灾害的治理[J]. 煤田地质与勘探,1986,14(2):35−42

[17] 吴玉华,郑世田,段中稳,等. 任楼煤矿矿井突水灾害的综合分析与治理技术[J]. 煤炭科学技术,1998,26(1):26−29

[18] 郑士田,马培智. 陷落柱中“止水塞”的快速建立技术[J]. 煤田地质与勘探,1998,26(3):51−53

ZHENG Shitian,MA Peizhi. The technique building “concrete plug” quickly in collapse column[J]. Coal Geology & Exploration,1998,26(3):51−53

[19] 李大敏. 张集煤矿隐伏陷落柱突水快速治理[J]. 煤炭科学技术,2000,28(8):31−33

[20] 南生辉,蒋勤明,郭晓山,等. 导水岩溶陷落柱堵水塞建造技术[J]. 煤田地质与勘探,2008,36(4):29−33

NAN Shenghui,JIANG Qinming,GUO Xiaoshan,et al. Construction technique of groundwater–preventing piston in karst flow collapse column[J]. Coal Geology & Exploration,2008,36(4):29−33

[21] 南生辉. 综合注浆法建造阻水墙技术[J]. 煤炭工程,2010,42(6):29−31

[22] 杨志斌,董书宁. 过水巷道动水快速截流机理研究[J]. 采矿与安全工程学报,2021,38(6):1134−1143

YANG Zhibin,DONG Shuning. Mechanism of rapid interception of flowing water in water–flowing roadways[J]. Journal of Mining & Safety Engineering,2021,38(6):1134−1143

[23] 李彩惠. 矿井特大突水巷道截流封堵技术[J]. 西安科技大学学报,2010,30(3):305−308

LI Caihui. Interception–plugging technology for supergiant water inrush laneway in mine[J]. Journal of Xi’an University of Science and Technology,2010,30(3):305−308

[24] WANG Wei,HU Baoyu. A new technology of rapid sealing roadway in Luotuoshan Coal Mine[J]. Procedia Earth and Planetary Science,2011,3:429−434.

[25] 邵红旗,王维. 双液注浆法快速建造阻水墙封堵突水巷道[J]. 煤矿安全,2011,42(11):40−43

[26] 王威. 动水条件下堵巷截流技术与阻水段阻水能力研究[D]. 北京：煤炭科学研究总院，2012.

WANG Wei. A study on techniques of roadway–blocking & flow–cutting off under hydrodynamic conditions and capability evaluation of water–blocking segment[D]. Beijing：China Coal Research Institute，2012.

[27] 姬中奎. 矿井大流量动水注浆细骨料截流技术[J]. 煤炭工程,2014,46(7):43−45

JI Zhongkui. Fine aggregate grouting closure technology of high flow running water in mine[J]. Coal Engineering,2014,46(7):43−45

[28] 杨志斌,董书宁. 动水大通道突水灾害治理关键技术[J]. 煤炭科学技术,2018,46(4):110−116

YANG Zhibin,DONG Shuning. Key technology of water inrush disaster control under hydrodynamic large channel condition[J]. Coal Science and Technology,2018,46(4):110−116

[29] 白峰青,卢兰萍,缑书宝,等. 德盛煤矿特大突水治理技术[J]. 煤炭学报,2007,32(7):741−743

BAI Fengqing,LU Lanping,GOU Shubao,et al. Harnessing technique for most water bursting of Desheng Coal Mine[J]. Journal of China Coal Society,2007,32(7):741−743

[30] 朱明诚. 动水大通道突水钻孔控制注浆高效封堵关键技术及装备[J]. 煤田地质与勘探,2015,43(4):55−58

ZHU Mingcheng. Key technology and equipment of borehole–controlled grouting for highly effective plugging large channel of water inrush[J]. Coal Geology & Exploration,2015,43(4):55−58

[31] 郭启文. 煤矿重大水害快速治理技术：注浆堵水的实践与认识[M]. 北京：煤炭工业出版社，2005.

[32] 杨志斌,董书宁. 压水试验定量评价注浆效果研究[J]. 煤炭学报,2018,43(7):2021−2028

YANG Zhibin,DONG Shuning. Study on quantitative evaluation of grouting effect by water pressure test[J]. Journal of China Coal Society,2018,43(7):2021−2028

[33] 蒋明镜,张望城. 一种考虑流体状态方程的土体CFD–DEM耦合数值方法[J]. 岩土工程学报,2014,36(5):793−801

JIANG Mingjing,ZHANG Wangcheng. Coupled CFD–DEM method for soils incorporating equation of state for liquid[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering,2014,36(5):793−801

[34] 苏东升. 基于CFD–DEM耦合模拟方法的水流泥沙运动研究[D]. 天津：天津大学，2015.

SU Dongsheng. Investigation of fluid–sediment particle motion based on CFD–DEM coupling simulation method[D]. Tianjin：Tianjin University，2015.

[35] 邵兵,闫怡飞,毕朝峰,等. 基于CFD–DEM耦合模型的大粒径非常规岩屑颗粒运移规律研究[J]. 科学技术与工程,2017,17(27):190−195

SHAO Bing,YAN Yifei,BI Chaofeng,et al. Migration of irregular cuttings particles in big size by CFD–DEM coupled simulation model[J]. Science Technology and Engineering,2017,17(27):190−195

[36] 丁冬峰,程可,陆晓峰,等. 基于DEM模拟液固流化床粒度级配对颗粒流动特性的影响[J]. 中国粉体技术,2018,24(2):18−25

DING Dongfeng,CHENG Ke,LU Xiaofeng,et al. Influence of particle size distribution in liquid–solid fluidized bed on particle flow characteristics based on DEM[J]. China Powder Science and Technology,2018,24(2):18−25

[37] ZHOU Zongyan,KUANG Shibo,CHU Kaiwei,et al. Discrete particle simulation of particle–fluid flow:Model formulations and their applicability[J]. Journal of Fluid Mechanics,2010,661:482−510.

[38] ZHANG H P,MAKSE H A. Jamming transition in emulsions and granular materials[J]. Physical Review E,2005,72:011301.

[39] AI Jun,CHEN Jianfei,ROTTER J M,et al. Assessment of rolling resistance models in discrete element simulations[J]. Powder Technology,2011,206(3):269−282.