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Monitoring, Process Control and Prevention Measures for Safety Problems in...
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Monitoring, Process Control and Prevention Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Process Control and Monitoring".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2026 | Viewed by 4875

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yangyang Guo

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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Interests: mine safety; gas flow theory in coal; dynamic disasters in coal mines
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yingfeng Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research Institute of Macro-Safety Science, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: gas adsorption; gas diffusion; gas seepage; coal and gas outburst
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jian Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
Interests: gas explosion; gas disaster prevention and control; coal bed methane extraction; coal seam water injection; hydraulic fracturing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Hao Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
Interests: mine gas disaster prevention; numerical simulation of deep coalbed methane mining; characterization of structural characteristics of seam holes and fractures; gas/liquid migration mechanism of porous media in coal reservoir

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the gradual depletion of coal resources and the increasing exploitation intensity of these resources in mining areas, coal mining has entered a phase of deep mining. In deep environments, the coal and rock mass in the "three high and one low" stress environment will have a more intense mechanical response, accompanied by more serious engineering disasters, such as coal and gas outbursts, rock bursts, gas dust explosions, roadway deformation, and other disaster problems. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the monitoring, process control, and preventive measures of coal mining safety problems for the safe and efficient mining of coal resources.

This Special Issue solicits original research articles and review papers reflecting the advances in research concerning process safety in coal mining. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Mechanisms and prevention of dynamic disasters;
  • Prevention of coal mine gas and fire coupling disasters;
  • Gas extraction technology of low-permeability coal seams;
  • Coal mine gas explosions;
  • Coal bed gas adsorption, desorption, and diffusion;
  • Roadway surrounding rock control.

Dr. Yangyang Guo
Dr. Yingfeng Sun
Dr. Jian Chen
Dr. Hao Xu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mechanisms and preventions
  • coal seams
  • gas extraction technology
  • coal bed gas adsorption
  • coal mine gas explosions
  • process control

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 7087 KB  
Article
Research on the Characteristics and Patterns of Roof Movement in Large-Height Mining Extraction of Shallow Coal Seams
by Yuping Fu, Zhen Zhao and Kai Ma
Processes 2025, 13(9), 3026; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13093026 - 22 Sep 2025
Viewed by 220
Abstract
This paper focuses on the issues of roof movement and ground pressure behavior in large-height mining extraction of shallow coal seams. By adopting a combined method of theoretical analysis and physical simulation experiments, it establishes a mechanical model for the rotational subsidence of [...] Read more.
This paper focuses on the issues of roof movement and ground pressure behavior in large-height mining extraction of shallow coal seams. By adopting a combined method of theoretical analysis and physical simulation experiments, it establishes a mechanical model for the rotational subsidence of key blocks and a physical simulation test model to conduct stability analysis on the rotational subsidence of key blocks, thereby revealing the characteristics and laws of roof movement. The findings indicate that the horizontal thrust during the rotational subsidence of key blocks increases non-linearly with the rotation angle, exhibiting a higher growth rate when the block size coefficient is less than 0.5. Two modes of instability—sliding and deformation—are observed for key blocks. To prevent sliding instability, the block size coefficient should be maintained below 0.75; however, sliding instability is likely to occur when the rotation angle exceeds 10°. Conversely, smaller rotation angles and larger block size coefficients reduce the likelihood of deformation instability. The reasonable working resistance of the support decreases with the increase in the rotation angle (it decreases sharply when the rotation angle exceeds 10°) and increases with the increase in the block size coefficient. Physical simulation indicates that roof movement is divided into three stages: immediate roof collapse, stratified fracturing and instability of the basic roof, and periodic fracturing of the basic roof. An increase in mining height accelerates the instability of the immediate roof, enlarges the opening of through-layer fissures, shortens the step distance of mining pressure, and heightens the risk of sudden pressure. The research results provide theoretical guidance for the safe and efficient mining with large mining height in shallow coal seams. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Process Control and Prevention Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining)
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22 pages, 5758 KB  
Article
Hydraulic Fracturing Pressure Relief for Pillar Size Optimization in Ultra-Thick Coal Seam Longwall Panels: Design, Monitoring, and Field Verification
by Zhengjie Li, Gang Xu, Zhen Zhang and Gaobo Zhao
Processes 2025, 13(9), 2975; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092975 - 18 Sep 2025
Viewed by 348
Abstract
Entry stability in ultra-thick coal seam longwall mining is often challenged by high abutment pressures and the need for wide coal pillars. This study presents the design, implementation, and verification of a hydraulic fracturing pressure relief strategy to optimize pillar width and improve [...] Read more.
Entry stability in ultra-thick coal seam longwall mining is often challenged by high abutment pressures and the need for wide coal pillars. This study presents the design, implementation, and verification of a hydraulic fracturing pressure relief strategy to optimize pillar width and improve entry performance in the longwall panels of Buliangou Mine. A site-specific fracturing scheme was applied near the coal pillar, using staged multi-interval fracturing from angled boreholes in the roof strata. Field instrumentation, including borehole imaging, water pressure monitoring, and stress/strain sensors, confirmed successful fracture propagation and significant stress redistribution. Post-fracturing monitoring indicated a shift in peak pillar stress location and an expansion of the elastic core zone, with entry deformation (ribs and roof-floor convergence) reduced by up to 25%. Based on these results and comparative case studies, an optimized 26 m pillar width was proposed and subsequently implemented in a new longwall panel. Field verification demonstrated stable entry conditions, consistent support loading, and a notable increase in coal recovery. This study confirms that hydraulic fracturing, when combined with detailed field design and monitoring, provides a reliable solution for stress management and pillar size reduction in ultra-thick seam longwall mining. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Process Control and Prevention Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining)
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12 pages, 4128 KB  
Article
Experimental Study on the Activation Energy of Coal Oxidation Under Different Oxygen Concentrations
by Wenyong Liu, Jing Hui, Xiaojiao Cheng, Lei Zhang, Yixin Li, Changsheng Li and Chenyang Qi
Processes 2025, 13(9), 2889; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092889 - 9 Sep 2025
Viewed by 739
Abstract
To investigate the effect of oxygen concentration on the activation energy of coal oxidation, low-temperature oxidation experiments were carried out on coal samples under controlled oxygen levels (21%, 12%, 10%, 7%, 5%, and 3%) using a programmed-temperature apparatus. The oxygen consumption rates and [...] Read more.
To investigate the effect of oxygen concentration on the activation energy of coal oxidation, low-temperature oxidation experiments were carried out on coal samples under controlled oxygen levels (21%, 12%, 10%, 7%, 5%, and 3%) using a programmed-temperature apparatus. The oxygen consumption rates and gas production were measured in relation to temperature, and critical temperatures were identified for each condition, enabling the division of the oxidation process into two distinct stages. Kinetic analyses were conducted for each stage based on the Arrhenius equation derived from the oxygen consumption rate. The apparent activation energy was determined from the slope of the linearized Arrhenius plot. The results demonstrate a strong dependence of activation energy on oxygen concentration, with values increasing from 12.98 kJ·mol−1 at 21% O2 to 25.11 kJ·mol−1 at 3% O2. A marked difference in activation energy was observed across the critical temperature—for instance, under 21% O2, activation energies were 12.98 kJ·mol−1 below and 41.72 kJ·mol−1 above the critical point. Furthermore, a safety threshold of 6% O2 was identified for goaf atmospheres, providing critical guidance for the prevention of coal spontaneous combustion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Process Control and Prevention Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining)
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14 pages, 1464 KB  
Article
Investigation on the Reasons for CO Overrun in the Return Air Corner of the Fully Mechanized Coal Mine Working Face
by Wenyong Liu, Chenyang Qi, Yongfei Jin, Xiaojiao Cheng, Yixin Li, Changsheng Li, Lei Zhang and Jing Hui
Processes 2025, 13(9), 2869; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092869 - 8 Sep 2025
Viewed by 355
Abstract
Abnormal CO gas concentration is one of the common problems in coal mine safety production. In view of the phenomenon of CO overrun in the working face, this paper takes the fully mechanized discharge working face of Zhaoxian Mine as the research object, [...] Read more.
Abnormal CO gas concentration is one of the common problems in coal mine safety production. In view of the phenomenon of CO overrun in the working face, this paper takes the fully mechanized discharge working face of Zhaoxian Mine as the research object, analyzes the occurrence of primary coal seam gas through the coal sample tank analysis experiment and the indoor crushing experiment, and explores the source of CO in the fully mechanized working face. According to the calculation model, the predicted value of CO concentration at the return air corner of the working face was calculated and, combined with the gas data of the working face monitored on site, it was proven that the CO concentration of the working face was in the normal range. This study found that the oxidation of residual coal in the goaf and the generation of CO during the mining process were the main reasons for the high CO concentration in the working face, rather than the occurrence of raw coal. This study reduces the interference of CO concentration on the determination of coal spontaneous combustion, prevents the misjudgment of coal spontaneous combustion, ensures the safe production of the Zhaoxian Coal Mine, provides data and theoretical support for the subsequent establishment of the CO prevention and control system of the working face, and provides a solution and technical reference for the CO overrun phenomenon in the working face of other high-gas mines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Process Control and Prevention Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining)
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18 pages, 4892 KB  
Article
Deformation, Failure Mechanism and Control Technology of Soft Rock Roadways Buried Under Coal Pillars: A Case Study
by Yewu Bi, Yichen Li, Feng Xu and Lihua Zhu
Processes 2025, 13(8), 2570; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082570 - 14 Aug 2025
Viewed by 387
Abstract
Close-distance coal seam mining in Danhou coal mine has caused serious deformation in the underlying soft rock roadways. The mechanism of this type of deformation is explored through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, and corresponding control measures are proposed. Firstly, the mechanical model [...] Read more.
Close-distance coal seam mining in Danhou coal mine has caused serious deformation in the underlying soft rock roadways. The mechanism of this type of deformation is explored through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, and corresponding control measures are proposed. Firstly, the mechanical model of abutment stress transfer along the underlying rock stratum is established, and the analytical solution of abutment stress at any point of the underlying rock stratum is derived. Secondly, the impact of upper working face mining on the underlying soft rock roadway is investigated through numerical simulation. Subsequently, the stress distribution characteristics of the surrounding rock of the rectangular roadway and straight- wall arch roadway are compared and analyzed. Finally, a support scheme for the underlying soft rock roadway is presented and implemented in engineering practice. Field engineering application results demonstrate that, after the combined support of high-strength bolts and grouting, the average deformation on both sides of the roadway is reduced by 63.4%, and the average floor heave is decreased by 93%. This indicates that the technology effectively controls the deformation of the surrounding rock in soft rock roadways during close-distance coal seam mining. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Process Control and Prevention Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining)
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14 pages, 7546 KB  
Article
Measuring the Effects of Gas Pressure and Confining Pressures on Coal: In the View of Time–Frequency Evolutionary Properties and Crack Propagation Behavior
by Yufei Tian, Junjun Jiang, Zhigang Deng, Yin Wang, Zhuoran Duan, Weiguang Ren, Yunpeng Li and Guanghui Zhang
Processes 2025, 13(8), 2493; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082493 - 7 Aug 2025
Viewed by 397
Abstract
As coal mining progresses to greater depths, the complex geological conditions significantly increase the risk of compound disasters. With increasing mining depth, elevated ground stress and gas pressure exacerbate the coupling effects of rockburst and gas outburst. This study employs laboratory tests and [...] Read more.
As coal mining progresses to greater depths, the complex geological conditions significantly increase the risk of compound disasters. With increasing mining depth, elevated ground stress and gas pressure exacerbate the coupling effects of rockburst and gas outburst. This study employs laboratory tests and theoretical analysis to investigate gas disasters under varying gas and confining pressures. The experimental results are analyzed in terms of mechanical parameters, crack propagation, and acoustic emission (AE) time–frequency evolution. Under conventional compression, coal failure exhibits shear damage with axial splitting or debris ejection. The peak strength demonstrates a clear confining pressure strengthening effect and gas pressure weakening effect. At constant gas pressure, the elastic modulus increases with confining pressure, whereas at constant confining pressure, it decreases with rising gas pressure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Process Control and Prevention Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining)
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12 pages, 1751 KB  
Article
Studies on Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Reaction Mechanism for Methane Adsorption in Long-Flame Coal Modified by Cyclical Microwave Treatment
by Guofei Zhao, Yongbo Cai, Tianbai Zhou, Guangtong Yang, Long Wang, Liankun Zhang, Yuefang Wang and Xiaoyu Zhang
Processes 2025, 13(7), 2134; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13072134 - 4 Jul 2025
Viewed by 464
Abstract
A quantitative characterization of the change in coal molecular structures with different cyclical microwave modification parameters and a better understanding of the reaction mechanism of the modification are of great significance for the commercial extraction of coal bed methane (CBM). Therefore, long-flame coal [...] Read more.
A quantitative characterization of the change in coal molecular structures with different cyclical microwave modification parameters and a better understanding of the reaction mechanism of the modification are of great significance for the commercial extraction of coal bed methane (CBM). Therefore, long-flame coal samples obtained from the Ordos Basin, China, were modified by microwave radiation with different times, and the long-flame coal molecular structure parameters were determined by solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (ss13C NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS). Atomistic representations of the raw long-flame coal molecular model and modified long-flame coal molecular models were established. The temperature rise, pore volume increase, mineral removal, and functional group changes after the modification have a negative effect on methane adsorption. After the modification, the decrease in surface area of the micropores reduced the adsorption site of methane in coal. As a result, the methane adsorption amount decreased linearly with the decreasing surface area. The CH4 adsorption isotherms of the long-flame models were dynamically simulated and analyzed. The results of this study can prove that after multiple cycles of microwave modifications, the functional groups in long-flame coal were fractured, and the number of micropores was reduced, which effectively decreased the methane adsorption performance in long-flame coal seams, thereby promoting methane extraction. Microwave modification is a promising method for enhancing CBM recovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Process Control and Prevention Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining)
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22 pages, 4926 KB  
Article
Study on Air Injection to Enhance Coalbed Gas Extraction
by Yongpeng Fan, Longyong Shu, Xin Song and Haoran Gong
Processes 2025, 13(6), 1882; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13061882 - 13 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 401
Abstract
Gas extraction is an important means to reduce coalbed gas and ensure safe coal production. Injecting N2/CO2 into a coalbed can enhance coal seam gas extraction, but problems with N2/CO2 sources underground have prevented the wide application [...] Read more.
Gas extraction is an important means to reduce coalbed gas and ensure safe coal production. Injecting N2/CO2 into a coalbed can enhance coal seam gas extraction, but problems with N2/CO2 sources underground have prevented the wide application of this technology in coal mines. The air contains a large amount of N2, but only a few studies have investigated the injection of air into coalbeds to facilitate gas extraction. In this study, a thermal–hydraulic–solid coupling model for air-enhanced coalbed gas extraction (Air-ECGE) was established. Additionally, the impact of air injection on coalbed methane extraction was simulated, and field experiments were conducted on air injection to enhance gas extraction. The results showed that injecting high-pressure air into a coalbed can effectively facilitate gas desorption and gas migration within the coalbed, greatly improving the efficiency of gas extraction in the coalbed. In addition, owing to the large pressure gradient that can lead to fast coalbed gas seepage, the gas production rate of the extraction borehole is directly proportional to the gas injection pressure. Further, the spacing of the boreholes limits the influence range of the gas injection: the larger the spacing, the larger the influence range, and the higher the gas extraction rate of the extraction borehole. After injecting air into the coalbed of the Liuzhuang coal mine, the extraction flow rate and concentration of gas from the extraction boreholes both increased significantly. A certain delay effect was also observed in the gas injection effect, and the gas extraction flow rate only decreased after a period of time after the gas injection had stopped. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Process Control and Prevention Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining)
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Review

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18 pages, 886 KB  
Review
Research Status and Prospect of Coal Spontaneous Combustion Source Location Determination Technology
by Yongfei Jin, Yixin Li, Wenyong Liu, Xiaona Yang, Xiaojiao Cheng, Chenyang Qi, Changsheng Li, Jing Hui and Lei Zhang
Processes 2025, 13(7), 2305; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13072305 - 19 Jul 2025
Viewed by 661
Abstract
The spontaneous combustion disaster of coal not only causes a waste of resources but also affects the safe production of coal mines. In order to accurately detect the range and location of the spontaneous combustion source of coal, this paper studies and summarizes [...] Read more.
The spontaneous combustion disaster of coal not only causes a waste of resources but also affects the safe production of coal mines. In order to accurately detect the range and location of the spontaneous combustion source of coal, this paper studies and summarizes previous research results, and based on the principles and research and development progress of existing detection technologies such as the surface temperature measurement method, ground temperature measurement method, wellbore temperature measurement method, and infrared remote sensing detection method, it briefly reviews the application of various detection technologies in engineering practice at this stage and briefly explains the advantages and disadvantages of each application. Research shows that the existing technologies are generally limited by the interference of complex environmental conditions (such as temperature measurement deviations caused by atmospheric turbulence and the influence of rock layer structure on ground temperature conduction) and the implementation difficulties of geophysical methods in mining applications (such as the interference of stray currents in the ground by electromagnetic methods and the fast attenuation speed of waves detected by geological radar methods), resulting in the insufficient accuracy of fire source location and difficulties in identifying concealed fire sources. In response to the above bottlenecks, the ”air–ground integrated” fire source location determination technology that breaks through environmental constraints and the location determination method of a CSC fire source based on a multi-physics coupling mechanism are proposed. By significantly weakening the deficiency in obtaining parameters through a single detection method, a new direction is provided for the detection of coal spontaneous combustion fire sources in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Process Control and Prevention Measures for Safety Problems in Coal Mining)
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