Authors: M.G. Lupiy, N.Yu. Troshkov, A.A. Belodedov

Title of the article: Conditions for explosion-proof operation of a degassing system

Year: 2025, Issue: 3, Pages: 127-138

Branch of knowledge: 2.8.8 Geotechnology, mining machines

Index UDK: 622.831.817

DOI: 10.26730/1999-4125-2025-3-127-138

Abstract: The article presents the results of analytical and experimental studies of the unevenness of the decrease in the gas content of the coal massif around degassing boreholes during preliminary degassing. An equation is obtained that describes the change in the gas content of coal in the middle between two adjacent boreholes, on the basis of which a formula is derived for calculating the distances between the boreholes taking into account the uneven gas depletion of coal. The article presents the factors influencing the main parameter of the potential explosion hazard of the degassing system - the concentration of methane at the exhaust of the vacuum pumping station (VPS). A formula is proposed for calculating the maximum permissible air leaks into the degassing system depending on the methane production capacity and the vacuum value at the vacuum pump suction. A statistical relationship is established between the probability of an explosive concentration of methane at the VPS, vacuum and methane production, on the basis of which boundary conditions for the safe operation of degassing systems are recommended. The article presents the results of studies aimed at preventing ignition of methane-air mixtures during drilling of degassing wells using gas separation membranes. When using this method, an inert environment with an oxygen content of no more than 12% is created in the most dangerous part of the well, which ensures complete explosion safety. The article considers the results of studies on the development of high-speed automatic devices for detecting and suppressing explosion of methane-air mixture in degassing pipelines, compact flame arresters OPS-1 are developed. IR sensors for studying explosion products are recommended as a detection device. The flame arrester is structurally a cylindrical body with flanges for connection to the pipeline, inside which two conical packages of grids are placed. The sizes of the grid cells are selected, which have sufficient flame extinguishing efficiency and have acceptable aerodynamic resistance.

Key words: degassing system well gas content of coal seam vacuum pumping station explosion hazard air leakage methane concentration flame arrester

Receiving date: 25.10.2024

Approval date: 10.06.2025

Publication date: 26.06.2025

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