Distribution of spontaneous combustion three zones and optimization of nitrogen injection location in the goaf of a fully mechanized top coal caving face

In order to effectively prevent and control spontaneous combustion of residual coal in the goaf and reduce the waste of nitrogen caused by setting the position of nitrogen injection, 1303 fully mechanized coal caving faces of the Jinniu Mine are studied. By deploying a bundle tube monitoring system in the inlet air side and return air side of the goaf, changes in gas concentration in the goaf are continuously monitored. In addition, the distribution area for spontaneous combustion three-zone in the goaf is divided into heat dissipation zone, oxidized spontaneous combustion zone, and suffocation zone. Simulations from the COMSOL Multiphysics 5.3 software provide insight based on the three zones division standard of spontaneous combustion in the goaf. The gradual deepening of the nitrogen injection position into the goaf affects the lower limit of the oxidized spontaneous combustion zone significantly, but the impact on the upper limit of the oxidized spontaneous combustion zone is not obvious and is negligible. With regard to the width of the oxidized spontaneous combustion zone, it initially decreases followed by a gradual increase. Numerical calculations suggest the optimal nitrogen injection position is 40 m from the roof cutting line, with an oxidized spontaneous combustion zone width of 28 m. Based on the simulation analysis results, nitrogen injection controlling measures have been adopted for spontaneous combustion of residual coal in the goaf of the 1303 fully mechanized coal caving faces, and coal self-ignition in the goaf has been successfully extinguished.