LECTURE 6

THE CONTENTS OF THIS LECTURE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1.0 INSEAM GAS DRAINAGE

1.2 Method of Dewatering
1.3 Typical Life Cycle of a Gas drainage Borehole
2.0 HIRSCHBACH METHOD OR SUPERJACENT HEADING
METHOD
3.0 SURFACE BOREHOLE TECHNIQUE

REFERENCES

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1.0 IN-SEAM GAS DRAINAGE

This method of methane drainage is preferred when the coal has a
sufficiently high natural permeability or where a fracture network is
introduced in the seam by artificial methods. Fig. 1 shows the systematic inseam methane drainage technique.
In this method,
o

Spacing of the holes = 10 m to more than 80 m (Spacing depends

upon the permeability of the seam).

Distance from the end of each borehole and the opposite airway
should be about half the spacing between holes.

The time allowed for drainage should be at least six months and,
preferably, over one year.

First 5 to 10 m of each borehole is typically drilled at 100 mm

diameter. A standpipe is cemented into place and connected into the
methane drainage pipeline. The remaining length of the hole is drilled
through the standpipe at a diameter of 75 mm.

Spalling (breaking into smaller pieces) of coal into the borehole can be
a problem, especially in the more friable (easily broken into small
fragments or reduced to powder) coals. This problem can be overcome
by using smooth drill rods.

Drill chippings are removed by means of continuous water flush and

augers may be used to remove spalled coal from the boreholes.

Perforated plastic liners may be used in order to maintain the holes

open.

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Fig. 1 In-seam boreholes draining methane from a coal seam in a

two-entry retreating longwall (after McPherson, 1993)

1.2 Method of Dewatering

Dewatering means taking water out form the zones of influence of the
methane drainage boreholes. Presence of water in the holes and nearby
areas greatly reduces the rate of flow of methane from the holes.
Therefore, it becomes necessary to dewater. Dewatering also increases the
permeability of the strata. Thus, it enhances the rate of diffusion. The
principle of dewatering is more or less the same as explained below with the
help of given Fig. 2.

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Fig. 2 Principle of dewatering

Vutukuri and Lama, 1986)

methane

drainage

hole

(after,

Fig. 2 shows that an annular pipe, with two valves, has been inserted/setup
in the boreholes. One of the valves is connected to the mouth of the outer
pipe and the other to the mouth of the inner pipe. The inner pipe is meant for
water flow, while the outer one is for methane extraction/draining. When the
valve connected to the outer is closed, pressure due to gas builds up (or
develops) in the hole. This causes water to flow through the inner pipe and is
taken out of the pipe as the valve connected to it is opened. It is continued
till no more water comes out form the inner pipe. Now, valve connected to
inner one is closed and that to the outer one is opened. Opening of the outer
pipe is connected to the branch/main drainage pipe. Thus, methane drainage
starts at a reasonable pressure and flow.
1.3 Typical Life Cycle of a Gas drainage Borehole
The production of gas from a methane gas drainage borehole varies with
time. A typical life cycle for an in-seam borehole can be of the type shown in
Fig. 3.

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Fig. 3 Typical life cycle of a gas drainage borehole in coal (after

McPherson, 1993)
Initially gas production is high because of the expansion and desorption of
gas in the immediate vicinity of the hole. This may reduce at a fast rate and
its production increases again as the zone of influence is dewatered thereby
increasing the relative permeability of the coal. There will be further decrease
in production of the gas again due to depletion of the gas from the zone of
influence.

2.0 HIRSCHBACH METHOD OR SUPERJACENT HEADING METHOD

The Hirschbach technique of methane drainage is shown in Fig. 4. Salient
features of this methane drainage technique are:
o

Headings of cross sectional area 5-7 m2 are driven at a height of about

25 m 30m on the top of the working seam.

The positioning of the headings is done in such a way that their

vertical projection lies midway between the gate roads in the working
seam.

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The drive is preferably located in a coal seam of thickness 0.3-0.4m, if

possible. Otherwise they may be driven in stone.

Because of economic reasons an already existing drift or one driven for

some other purpose may be used for methane drainage.

Holes are drilled both along and across the seam.

Headings are sealed at the outbye ends by dams through which pipes
are left.

Suction pressure of 2-3 KPa is applied through the pipes.

Fig. 4 Hirschbach method of methane drainage technique (after

Mishra, 1986)

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3.0 SURFACE BOREHOLE TECHNIQUE

Due to the relaxation of strata above and below the caved zone in a longwall
panel there is a creation of voids within which methane can accumulate at
high concentration. If this gas is not removed, then it will migrate towards
the working horizon and become a load on the ventilation system of the
mine. The "gob gas" may be drained by drilling boreholes from the surface.
Fig. 5 depicts methane drainage from the gob of a longwall panel by surface
boreholes. Typically it is done as follow:
o

Three or four holes are drilled from surface rigs at intervals of 500 to
600 m.

Holes are drilled along the centre line of the panel and ahead of the
coal face.

The holes may be 200 to 250 mm in diameter and drilled to within 8

to 10 m of the top of the coal seam.

A perforated liner can be employed in the hole to avoid closure from

lateral shear.

The initial production is likely to be small. However, as the face passes

under each borehole, the methane that accumulates in the caved area
will be drawn towards that borehole.

When a hole becomes active, the rate of gas production increases

sharply and may yield over 50000 m3/day of commercial quality
methane for a period of several months, depending upon the rate of
mining.

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Fig. 5 Gob drainage of a longwall panel (after McPherson, 1993)

REFERENCES
Deshmukh, D. J. (2008); Elements of Mining Technology, Vol. II; Denett
& Co., Nagpur, India.
Hartman, H. L., Mutmansky, J. M. & Wang, Y. J. (1982); Mine Ventilation
and Air Conditioning; John Wiley & Sons, New York.
McPherson, M. J. (1993); Subsurface
Engineering; Chapman & Hall, London.

Ventilation

and

Environmental

Misra G.B. (1986); Mine Environment and Ventilation; Oxford University

Press, Calcutta, India.
Vutukuri, V. S. & Lama, R. D. (1986); Environmental Engineering in Mines;
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

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