Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
Search
            ×
                        Mining
                        Mining
                            NIOSH
                            All CDC
                    Submit
                For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
                Advanced Search
            Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Publication: Methane Control on Longwalls with Cross-Measure Boreholes (Lower Kittanning Coalbed)
Keywords: Boreholes Cross measure boreholes Longwall mining Methane
Original creation date: January 1985
Authors: F Garcia, J Cervik
Report of Investigations - January 1985
Download PDF Document (1.16 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 10004736
Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, RI 8985, 1985 Jan; :1-17
The cross-measure borehole technique has been shown by the Bureau of Mines to be an effective method of controlling methane liberated by fracturing the roof strata in longwall gobs where overburden is less than 750 ft (229 m). Boreholes are drilled into roof strata before mining operations affect the roof strata. Longwall mining fractures the roof strata and releases methane from source beds. Surface exhausters or vacuum pumps are used to draw the gas to the surface through an underground pipeline and vertical exhaust hole. The captured methane is thus prevented from entering the ventilation system of the mine. About 71 pct of the methane produced by longwall mining in the Lower Kittanning coalbed was captured by the cross-measure boreholes. Borehole spacing is an important factor affecting the performance of the technique. Interference tests and measurements of methane flows in return air indicate that borehole spacing in the Lower Kittanning coalbed should be limited to about 200 ft (61 m) except on the first 600 ft (183 m) of the longwall where spacing should be reduced to about 100 ft (30 m) to capture the large quantities of methane released when the first large roof fall occurs. Comparisons between measured and calculated gas pressure differentials on boreholes indicate borehole length can be reduced from 280 to 140 ft (85 to 43 m), which reduces drilling costs significantly. Additional experimentation is necessary to verify the calculations.
Image of publication Methane Control on Longwalls with Cross-Measure Boreholes (Lower Kittanning Coalbed)Report of Investigations - January 1985
Download PDF Document (1.16 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 10004736
Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, RI 8985, 1985 Jan; :1-17
See Also
The Borehole Monitoring Experiment: Field Measurements of Reservoir Conditions and Responses in Longwall Panel Overburden During Active Mining
Comparisons Between Cross-Measure Boreholes and Surface Gob Holes
Control of Longwall Gob Gas With Cross-Measure Boreholes (Upper Kittanning Coalbed)
Degasification System Selection for U.S. Longwall Mines Using an Expert Classification System
Effect of a Surface Borehole on Longwall Gob Degasification (Pocahontas No. 3 Coalbed)
Longwall Gob Degasification With Surface Ventilation Boreholes Above the Lower Kittanning Coalbed
Modeling and Prediction of Ventilation Methane Emissions of U.S. Longwall Mines Using Supervised Artificial Neural Networks
Numerical Analysis of the Influence of In-Seam Horizontal Methane Drainage Boreholes on Longwall Face Emission Rates
Reservoir Engineering Considerations for Coal Seam Degasification and Methane Control in Underground Mines
Technology News 465 - Method for Predicting Methane Emissions on Extended Longwall Faces
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate Mining
        Site BrowserSafety and Health TopicsData & StatisticsMethodologyMine DisastersMSHA Data FilesMine & Mineworker ChartsTools & PublicationsTools You Can UsePublicationsNews & ArticlesResearch ProgramNORA Mining CouncilStrategic PlanMining Program, 2019-2023Miner Health Program, 2020-2030ProjectsContractsFunding OpportunitiesMining LinksAbout UsContact NIOSH MiningEmploymentFacilitiesHistoryVisitor Information NIOSH Homepage
 NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue