Distribution Characteristic and Migration Mechanism of Toxic Gases in Goafs during Close-Distance Coal Seam Mining: a Case Study of Shaping Coal Mine

[Image: see text] It is imperative to have an in-depth understanding of the gas migration mechanism during close-distance coal seam mining, not only to prevent fires in the coal industry but also to propose safety strategies for controlling toxic gases. The 1818 working face of the Shaping Coal Mine was used as an exemplary close-distance coal seam mine. Through the construction of boreholes and the arrangement of bundle pipes in the two parallel grooves of the working face and the upper goaf at the corresponding positions in the working face, the gases in the upper and lower goafs were monitored online timely. The firsthand information about the gas distribution was obtained through on-site tests, which provided the robust data for studying the migration mechanism of toxic gases during close-distance coal seam mining. By studying the spatial distribution of harmful gases in the upper goaf without mining the overlying coal, the static distribution law of gas was obtained. By discussing the spatial distribution and migration of harmful gases in the goaf of the overlying coal seam during mining, the dynamic distribution law of the gas was obtained. By studying the spatial distribution and migration of toxic gases in the mined-out area of the lower coal seam during mining, the dynamic distribution of gases in the mined-out area of the lower coal seam was obtained. Moreover, the migration mechanism of gas emission from the goafs in the close-distance coal seam was explored. By analyzing the factors responsible for the accumulation of toxic gases in the return air corner, feasible safety measures were also proposed to prevent this hazard during close-distance coal seam mining.