Fluidized Mining and Microbial Methane Conversion Processes in Coal Reservoirs

A Special Issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717) belonging to the section "Energy Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2027 | Viewed by 1536

Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Interests: fluidized mining; underground reservoir; rock mechanics; rock control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Interests: fluidized mining; biogenic methane; anaerobic fermentation; coal gasification; microbial community.

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the increasing global demand for sustainable energy and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the innovative integration of enhanced coalbed methane recovery with bioconversion technologies has attracted significant research attention. Fluidized mining techniques, which aim to efficiently extract resources and create in situ reaction spaces, coupled with microbial processes that convert coal-derived substances into methane, represent a promising frontier for clean energy production and resource utilization. This approach not only has the potential to improve energy recovery efficiency but also to transform the environmental profile of coal reservoir exploitation.

This Special Issue on “Fluidized Mining and Microbial Methane Conversion Processes in Coal Reservoirs” seeks high quality works focusing on the development, integration, and application of these synergistic technologies. We welcome contributions that address fundamental mechanisms, process design, technological innovation, and system evaluation. Topics include, but are not limited to, methods and/or applications in the following areas:

  • Fundamental theories of fluidized mining, mechanics of coal fluidization, multi-phase flow behavior in deep reservoirs.
  • Microbial consortia enrichment, metabolism, and optimization for enhanced methane generation from coal.
  • Process design and intensification strategies for integrating in situ fluidized mining with microbial conversion.
  • Reactor design, process modeling, and simulation of coupled fluidized-bioconversion systems.
  • Techno-economic analysis and lifecycle assessment of hybrid fluidized mining and microbial methane production processes.
  • Field trials, pilot-scale studies, and case studies demonstrating process feasibility and performance.
  • Environmental impact assessment and mitigation strategies, including water management and carbon footprint.
  • Monitoring, control, and optimization of the integrated processes for safety and efficiency.

Prof. Dr. Qiangling Yao
Dr. Liu Zhu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • fluidized mining
  • microbial methane conversion
  • biogenic methane
  • process intensification
  • in situ bioconversion
  • environmental impact
  • clean energy from coal

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 7760 KB  
Article
Characteristic and Weighting Mechanism of Big and Small Voussoir Beam in GSED-NP and Thick Anchored Dual-Layer Locking Supporting Technology
by Yunfeng Liang, Lei Zhu, Baoyan Zhi, Gang Han, Pengmin Yang, Jiahao Xie, Xinping Yang, Yuxin Yuan, Jinguo Wang, Zixiong Li, Shichang Liang, Qiuwei Dai, Genqiao Li, Feng You and Zhiyao Wang
Processes 2026, 14(9), 1342; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14091342 - 23 Apr 2026
Viewed by 491
Abstract
Research on the surrounding rock stability and its control during gob-side entry driving with a narrow pillar (GSED-NP) is of critical importance for ensuring safe mining operations and efficient production in underground coal mines. This work proposed a thick anchored dual-layer locking (TADL) [...] Read more.
Research on the surrounding rock stability and its control during gob-side entry driving with a narrow pillar (GSED-NP) is of critical importance for ensuring safe mining operations and efficient production in underground coal mines. This work proposed a thick anchored dual-layer locking (TADL) supporting technology by analyzing the big and small voussoir beam (BSVB) weighting characteristics in GSED-NP as well as engineering implementation and on-site validation. First, field surveys and numerical simulation show that the 9.60 m and 10.65 m thick medium grained sandstone in the overlying strata were fractured in the coal body of the next face, and formed BSVB structure after rotation, subsidence, and re-hinging. Under the effect of stress transfer of BSVB structure, the lateral abutment pressure distribution is characterized by internal and external stress field (IESF) distribution. Second, numerical calculation was carried out according to the above characteristics. Third, a supporting technical scheme was formulated and implemented, and the field monitoring data proved the ideal outcome. Finally, the influence of the critical fracture location of the main roof on the stress distribution was discussed, and it is thought that the stress distribution is mainly related to the main roof fracture location which has a critical range on the stress transfer. This research can provide a reference for the surrounding roadway control under similar conditions. Full article
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25 pages, 3233 KB  
Article
Study on Catastrophe Mechanisms of Wind Turbine Foundation in Goaf Site
by Shengjin Jia, Quanwei Yang, Wenkai Feng, Gang Wang and Lujun Wang
Processes 2026, 14(5), 847; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14050847 - 5 Mar 2026
Viewed by 675
Abstract
There are significant safety risks associated with the construction and operation of wind turbines in goaf sites. Investigating the catastrophic mechanisms underlying wind turbine foundations is crucial for addressing these scientific challenges. This study employs the empirical formula method to quantitatively evaluate and [...] Read more.
There are significant safety risks associated with the construction and operation of wind turbines in goaf sites. Investigating the catastrophic mechanisms underlying wind turbine foundations is crucial for addressing these scientific challenges. This study employs the empirical formula method to quantitatively evaluate and analyze the stability of a goaf site. Additionally, the disaster mechanisms of wind turbine foundations in these areas are examined through similar model tests and numerical simulations. The findings indicate that the settlement deformation of the wind turbine foundation is closely related to the magnitude of the applied load. Upon completion of the loading, the maximum settlement of the foundation under rated and extreme wind speed conditions was recorded at 0.16 mm and 0.26 mm, respectively, while the maximum inclination angles were 0.04° and 0.18°, respectively. At the conclusion of the loading process, the soil pressure differences between the leeward and windward sides of the base were measured at 95.3 kPa and 139 kPa under rated and extreme wind speed conditions, respectively. This data suggests that extreme wind speeds significantly influence the distribution of base pressure, resulting in an increased uneven settlement of the foundation. Full article
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