Risk Analysis of Gob Coal Spontaneous Combustion in Methane-Rich, Combustion-Prone Coal Seam Based on Intuitionistic Fuzzy DEMATEL

As a major mining disaster, the spontaneous combustion of gob coal has gained considerable attention. With the increase of mining depth, several methane-rich and combustion-prone coal seams have emerged in China. The characteristics of gob coal spontaneous combustion have changed remarkably in these coal seams. This study identifies 17 factors that influence the spontaneous combustion of gob coal according to its characteristics in methane-rich and combustion-prone coal seams. An improved decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory method (DEMATEL) based on intuitionistic fuzzy preference relations is presented for the accurate and objective analysis of these factors. This improved DEMATEL method merged intuitionistic fuzzy set and accurate weight-determined method; it can reduce randomness and uncertainty in expert judgment. The key factors that lead to the spontaneous combustion of gob coal in methane-rich and combustion-prone coal seams were identified. Spontaneous combustion risk can be effectively reduced by controlling these key factors. © 2018, ASM International.