Role of the rapid gas desorption of coal powders in the development stage of outbursts

Based on the desorption experiments of coal particles with different sizes, the possibility of the existence of coal powders in the outburst development stage was studied from the perspective of energy balance and pneumatic conveying. The energy involved in outbursts (gas expansion energy, transport energy and remaining kinetic energy) and the general range of the transport critical particle size (TCPS, the coal particle size with the lowest gas desorption speed causing the outburst coal transport over a certain distance) were calculated. This study concludes that to convey outburst coal, it is necessary to capture the desorbed gas supply because the limited amount of free gas cannot meet the high energy demand. Rapid desorption within a short period is an essential condition for the development of an outburst. Only coal particles with small sizes can exhibit this high desorption speed. Based on the relationship between the initial desorption speed and the particle size, a mathematical model that could be used to estimate the TCPS of the Zhongliangshan outburst (117 mu m) was established. Historical data regarding the Zhongliangshan outbursts and other mines support the results of calculations and certify the important role that coal powders play in outbursts. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.