Transport mechanism and control technology of heavy metal ions in gangue backfill materials in short-wall block backfill mining

Research status of comprehensive utilization of coal-based solid waste (CSW) and key technologies of filling mining in China: A review

Coal-based solid waste (CSW) is the solid waste generated in the process of coal mining, washing and pyrolysis, which is an important industrial solid waste. The comprehensive utilization of CSW is a key link in the process of clean and efficient utilization of coal, and the use of CSW for coal mine filling mining is an important means of "harmless, resourceful and large-scale" utilization. In order to study the research status of comprehensive utilization of CSW and key technologies of filling mining in China, this paper combs and analyzes the current situation of comprehensive utilization of CSW from three parts, namely, physical and chemical properties of CSW, Industry-related policies, and ways and means of comprehensive utilization. It is found that coal mine filling mining is a green disposal method with relatively reliable technical means, low supervision cost and large-scale disposal of CSW in the comprehensive utilization of CSW in China. Furthermore, an analysis was conducted on the current research status of key technologies in the CSW filling and mining process, including the integration of "mining, selection and filling", adsorption and complexation passivation of heavy metals in CSW, the preparation of CSW collaborative filling materials, and monitoring and control of the whole filling process, etc. Based on the above analysis and research, it was pointed out that there were some problems, namely: (1) large output of CSW and low level of comprehensive utilization; (2) high investment and high cost of CSW filling and mining; and (3) imperfect CSW waste filling mining theory and technology. In response to these issues, prospects have been made from the aspects of policy incentive mechanisms, collaborative utilization of CSW with multi-industry links, and the theory and technology of CSW filling mining. This study provided reference and inspiration for the comprehensive utilization of CSW in the world, and provides guidance for the large-scale promotion and application of CSW filling mining methods.

Research on long-term migration behaviors of heavy metals after close-distance coal seam backfill mining

The backfill mining of coal-based solid waste in goaf poses a potential risk of heavy metal pollution to the groundwater environment, and the migration behavior of heavy metals differs significantly under the disturbance of backfill mining in close-distance multi-layer coal seams and single-layer coal seams. In this study, a migration model of heavy metals after solid backfilling in the goaf of shallow-buried close-distance thick coal seams was established, and the impact of the overburden damage and the layered distribution of the filling body on the long-term migration behavior of heavy metals were analyzed. The results show that the migration of heavy metals after close-distance coal seam backfill mining exhibits a higher risk of heavy metal pollution. The peak permeability of overburden after close-distance coal seam backfill mining is about 600 × 10-19 m2 higher than that after single-layer coal seam backfill mining. The migration distance of heavy metals in the floor after backfill mining of close-distance coal seams is 7.41 m farther than that of single-layer coal seam backfill mining, and its migration time of heavy metals to the surface is 27 a earlier than that of single-layer coal seam. This research provides theoretical and empirical support for the ecological risk assessment and heavy metal pollution control in close-distance coal seam backfill mining. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: The main filling material of close-distance coal seams backfill mining is coal gangue. Heavy metal elements such as Mn and Cr will be released in the underground environment for a long time, and the migration behavior of heavy metal elements will have an impact on the groundwater environment for more than 1000 years. This research provides theoretical and empirical support for the ecological risk assessment of close-distance coal seam backfill mining and the mitigation of heavy metal pollution.

Mechanical properties evaluation of waste gangue-based cemented backfill materials based on an improved response surface model

Traditional mining methods damage the cultivated land and produce gangue waste that often contaminates the environment. Yet, these problems can be mitigated by transforming the waste into gangue-based cemented backfill material (GCBM), whose mechanical properties are crucial for surface protection. Therefore, in this study, an intelligent model based on laboratory tests was developed to evaluate the GCBM's mechanical properties. The strength tests and polynomial response surface model (PRSM) were used to analyze the non-linear correlation between the influencing factors and the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS). Meanwhile, the importance of multidimensional factors was analyzed by the mean impact value, revealing that concentration and gangue proportion are the most sensitive factors. In addition, an intelligent response surface model (IRSM) based on support vector regression model was constructed by enhancing an optimization algorithm with chaotic mapping and adaptive methods. The performance of the traditional PRSM and the novel IRSM was compared, and the IRSM was validated. The IRSM can predict UCS more efficiently and effectively than the traditional PRSM under high-dimensional factors, with R2 of 0.96 and MBE of 0.05. This indicated that the IRSM has the potential to promote coal mine waste reduction and environmental protection.

Utilization of broken rock in shallow gobs for mitigating mining-induced water inrush disaster risks and environmental damage: Experimental study and permeability model

Coal mining-induced groundwater losses may trigger water inrush disasters and surface ecological degradation. The compaction and seepage characteristics of broken rock in gobs can be used to find the balance point of water inrush prevention and water resource protection in shallow coal seam groups. These characteristics, as well as geological and engineering parameters of shallow coal seam mining, are experimentally determined in this study. The performed permeability tests revealed that the percentage of voids in broken rock exponentially decreased with the axial stress. The water seepage of broken rock in the compaction process conformed to the Forchheimer theory, with the permeability ranging from 10-1 to 10 D. The initial value and reduction range of mudstone permeability in the three lithologic samples were the smallest. The uniaxial compression strength reduction caused by the increase in unit mass water due to water saturation of natural rock samples were 5.8 and 3.2 % for coal and sandstone, respectively. Based on the experimental results on compaction and seepage of broken rock, the axial stress-percentage of voids-permeability model considering compaction and re-crushing was established. The mudstone roof was found to be the key rock stratum during re-mining for ecological protection and hydraulic connection evaluation of the overburden.