Mining Contract: The Role of Gas Desorption in the Energetic Failure of Coal
| Contract Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Contract/IAG # | 200-2008-25702 |
| COTR | Gerald Finfinger |
| Start Date | 6/26/2008 |
| End Date | 7/31/2012 |
| Contractor | The Pennsylvania State University |
| Contractor City/State | State College, PA |
| Research Concept | This project will evaluate the role of gas desorbing on the failure of coal and the resultant influence on dynamic failures such as bumps, bursts, and outbursts. The study will conduct laboratory experiments on coal samples collected from at least three operating coal mines. These samples will be loaded to simulate original confinement conditions and will include a sorbed gas condition. Loading will cover a range of conditions, and measurements will include gas desorption rates, permeability evolution, deformation, and acoustic emissions. These data will be used to define modes of failures including the role of a desorbing gas phase on the energetic failure of coal. |
| Program Area | |
| Milestone #1 (12/31/2008) | Complete design and assembly of experimental test apparatus (completed). |
| Milestone #2 (10/31/2009) | Complete experimental testing of three coal specimens. |
| Milestone #3 (10/31/2011) | Complete experimental testing of six coal specimens. |
| Milestone #4 (7/31/2012) | Complete analysis of experimental results and final report. |
Summary of Results
The test protocol was completed and calibration runs have been completed using Berea sandstone. The calibration portion of the testing protocol has been completed. Coal samples have been collected from five active mine sites. The samples have been collected from the following:
| Coal Seam | Location | Sample Depth (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Harlan | Kentucky | 1,300 |
| Powelleton | West Virginia | 500–1,000 |
| Upper B | Colorado | 1,500 |
| Gilson | Utah | 1,800 |
| Lower Kittanning | West Virginia | 2,000 |
The testing will include applied conditions of minimum principal stress, axial maximum principal stress, and loading rate and initial gas content or pressure. Routine measurements include axial and volumetric strains and strain rates, gas pressures, and evolution of gas sorption/desorption and gas permeability. Occasional measurements include microseismic event counts and locations. These data are used to define modes of failures including the role of a desorbing gas phase on the energetic failure of coal.
The test results will be presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, & Exploration.
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