Simulations of Methane Gas Flow in the Drainage Pipeline Network in a Coal Mine (1st Report)-- Simulation program for calculation of gas flow in the drainage pipeline network --

Abstract

In order to reduce the methane emission from mining panels into the working area, an effective methane drainage from the coal seam at the high concentrations of methane is needed. One of the methods is to control the pressure at the optimum level in methane drainage pipeline network. We developed a program for calculation of methane gas flow in methane drainage pipelines of an underground coal mine to control the flow rate of gas and concentration of methane in the network. Some cases were calculated by using methane drainage pipelines networks of Taiheiyo Coal Mine. From the results, there is no difference between the calculated results using the developed calculation program and measured results, practically. We believe that using this calculation program leads to good results when they change a part of the methane drainage pipeline network and control the flow rate in the network.