Selective Tests of Grouting Material for Fractured Coal and Rock Masses in a Water-borne H₂S Environment

Abstract

Coal mining is vulnerable to multiple kinds of threat from water incursion. Many coal seams contain dissolved H₂S, which may be released during mining, seriously endangering the health of workers. Orthogonal testing was used to analyze the physical and mechanical properties of composite slurries in different proportions. The results showed slurry with a water-solid ratio of 0.8:1 to have the optimal combination of properties. A uniform experimental method was used to investigate the impact of the water-cement ratio, concentration of sodium silicate, and volume of cement-sodium silicate (CS) on the setting time and consolidating strength of CS slurry. This paper provides the appropriate application scope of two grouting materials (optimized composite slurry and CS slurry), based on experimental data and the results of a large number of in situ trials. Finally, the optimized composite slurry and cement-sodium silicate slurry were used to carry out grouting of the center auxiliary transport roadway of the 3⁻¹ coal seam at the Ningtiaota Coal Mine, operated by the Shaanxi Coal Industry Group. It was shown that the type and formula of the slurry could be changed in a timely manner, based on the water outlet and concentration of H₂S at the site, achieving successful grouting reinforcement and seepage-proofing.