Research and Application of Multi-dimensional Feasibility Evaluation Method for Protective Layer Decision-Making in Coal and Gas Outburst Seam Groups

Dongyu Gao; Zhuangzhuang Yao; Min Lai; Wenbin Wu; Juyou Liu; Lu Zhang

doi:10.54097/0zyxpy80

Authors

Dongyu Gao Shaanxi Linbei Coal Mining Development Co., Ltd., Baoji 721599, China
Zhuangzhuang Yao China Coal Technology and Engineering Group, Chongqing Research Institute, Chongqing 400037, China ; CCTEG Chinese Institute of Coal Science, Beijing 100013, China
Min Lai Shaanxi Linbei Coal Mining Development Co., Ltd., Baoji 721599, China
Wenbin Wu China Coal Technology and Engineering Group, Chongqing Research Institute, Chongqing 400037, China
Juyou Liu Shaanxi Linbei Coal Mining Development Co., Ltd., Baoji 721599, China
Lu Zhang Shaanxi Linbei Coal Mining Development Co., Ltd., Baoji 721599, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/0zyxpy80

Keywords:

Coal and gas outburst; Protective layer selection; Multi-dimensional feasibility evaluation; Outburst-prone coal seam group; Pressure relief mining.

Abstract

Coal and gas outbursts are prone to triggering cascading disasters and rank among the most severe dynamic hazards in coal mines. Mining protective seams is a fundamental measure for achieving regional gas control. Based on the theory of mining-induced pressure relief and the effective mechanical criteria for protective seams, and following the logic of "necessary threshold–core constraints–practical selection," this study constructs a multi-dimensional feasibility evaluation method for protective seam selection in outburst coal seam groups, comprising "three levels and ten indicators." Taking a mine in Yangquan, Shanxi Province as the engineering background, the method is applied to conduct layer-by-layer evaluation and quantitative analysis of six potential protective seams: No.6, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 15. The results show that: (1) Seams No.6, 8 and 9 fail to meet the spatial position conditions and do not satisfy the requirements for protective seam selection. (2) Seams No.12 and 13 meet the theoretical feasibility but exhibit issues in safety feasibility, including discontinuous pressure relief and high disaster coupling risks, as well as constraints in technical-economic feasibility, such as high mining difficulty and poor economic viability. (3) Seam No.15 performs well across all dimensions and indicators and is identified as the preferred protective seam. This method successfully identifies the hidden risks of using thin and unminable seams as protective seams, addressing the limitations of traditional single-parameter verification, and can serve as a reference for scientific decision-making on protective seam selection in outburst coal seam groups under similar complex conditions.

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