journal article·2026-07-03Open access

Extraction Technology of Pressure-Relief Gas Based on the Co-Evolution and Zoning Mechanism of Mining-Induced Overburden Fracture

Peiyun Xu, Wuyi Yang, Shugang Li, Haiqing Shuang, Xiaolong Zhang, Xiaoxu Chen, Chenguang Guo

Applied Sciences· Volume 16· Issue 13

Abstract

This study examines the evolving patterns and zoning characteristics of gas migration and storage zones during coal seam mining, taking the 215 fully mechanized longwall face at Huangling No. 2 Coal Mine as the engineering background. By integrating theoretical analysis, physical similarity simulation experiments, and field measurements, the research systematically explores the zonal linkage evolution mechanism of mining-induced depressurization gas migration and storage zones, together with the associated depressurization gas extraction technology. A flow regime determination equation, driven by the fracture expansion coefficient and permeability, is established on the basis of the fluid Reynolds number criterion. According to differences in gas flow states and medium morphology, the mining-induced fracture field is divided into five distinct zones: a high-permeability zone dominated by turbulent transport, a medium-to-high permeability zone with transitional flow as the secondary dominant region, a low-permeability zone featuring linear laminar flow with micro-permeability, an extremely low-permeability zone characterized by linear laminar flow in a locked state, and a zone of abrupt permeability change associated with gas enrichment. The dynamic evolution of depressurization gas migration and storage zones and their regional linkage mechanisms are clarified. On the basis of these findings, a dynamic targeted layout strategy for high-level boreholes is proposed that is consistent with the spatiotemporal evolution of the overburden permeability field. Field engineering practice shows that the optimized high-level borehole layout maintains the overall gas extraction rate at the drilling site stably above 70%, with a peak value of 93.7%, thereby ensuring safe and efficient mining of the working face.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Coal Properties and Utilization · Rock Mechanics and Modeling · Geomechanics and Mining Engineering

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

College of Energy and Mining Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China

Key Laboratory of Western Mine Exploitation and Hazard Prevention Ministry of Education, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China

College of Safety Science and Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · National Key Research and Development Program of China · Youth Innovation Team Project of the Education Department of Shaanxi Province · Shaanxi Provincial Natural Science Basic Research Program

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