Fluidized mining and in-situ transformation of deep underground coal resources: a novel approach to ensuring safe, environmentally friendly, low-carbon, and clean utilisation

Abstract

Traditional coal mining and utilisation patterns are severely detrimental to natural resources and environments and significantly impede safe, low-carbon, clean, and sustainable utilisation of coal resources. Based on the idea of in situ fluidized coal mining that aims to transform solid coal into liquid or gas and transports the fluidized resources to the ground to ensure safe mining and low-carbon and clean utilisation, in this study, we report on a novel in situ unmanned automatic mining method. This includes a flexible, earthworm-like unmanned automatic mining machine (UAMM) and a coal mine layout for in situ fluidized coal mining suitable for the UAMM. The technological and economic advantages and the carbon emission reduction of the UAMM-based in situ fluidized mining in contrast to traditional mining technologies are evaluated as well. The development trends and possible challenges to this design are also discussed. It is estimated that the proposed method costs approximately 49% of traditional coal mining costs. The UAMM-based in situ fluidized mining and transformation method will reduce CO 2 emissions by at least 94.9% compared to traditional coal mining and utilisation methods. The proposed approach is expected to achieve safe and environmentally friendly coal mining as well as lowcarbon and clean utilisation of coal. Keywords In-situ fluidized mining Á Unmanned automatic mining machine Á Mine layout Á Coal resources Á Low-carbon Á Environmental protection Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (

In situ fluidized mining and conversion solution to alleviate geological damage and greenhouse gas emissions due to coal exploitation: A numerical analysis and evaluation

“…Referring to the estimation method for TBM costs, as a rough estimation, we calculated the potential cost for each of the simulated mining techniques based on the simulated mining layouts, finding that the UAMM-based mining cost per ton is 2.38 times the conventional coal cost per ton. 38 This result indicates that the total cost of UAMM-based fluidized mining is approximately 49% of traditional mining costs. The "comprehensive coal cost per ton" is at least 4.8 times greater than the conventional coal cost per ton.…”

“…The "comprehensive coal cost per ton" is at least 4.8 times greater than the conventional coal cost per ton. 38 Considering further operational costs, the fluidized mining system employs a simple roadway layout, which would reduce the required amount of roadway excavation and improve the recovery rate of coal resources. This is because, unlike the traditional exploitation and utilization of coal resources, the coal would be converted into fluidized resources and transported to the ground, which would significantly reduce the cost of energy transportation.…”

“…We previously proposed an in situ fluidized mining technique to achieve in situ exploitation and conversion of deep underground coal resources. [37][38][39][40] This technique involves transforming deep, solid coal into electric energy or gaseous/ liquid state substances in situ, followed by transporting the fluidized resources to the ground surface, ultimately resulting in zero or near-zero carbon emissions and avoiding in situ geological formation damage. This is a promising strategy that addresses the previously mentioned problems that limit the achievement of coal safety, environmental protection, and economic mining and utilization.…”

Evaluation of plow system performance in long-wall mining method using particle flow code

“…According to the importance of the coal production, many researchers try to investigate the various aspects of this subject (Cheng et al 2015;Hejmanowski 2015;Ju et al 2019;Fan and Ma 2018;Wirth et al 2018;Zhuravlev and Porokhnov 2019). Osterman (1974) compared the shearer and plow according to the seam properties, equipment, advance rate, etc.…”

Life Cycle Assessment of opencast lignite mining

“…According to the current draft of the Energy Policy for Poland until 2040, it is predicted that in the next 10 years the share of coal in the production of electricity will drop to about 60%. Therefore, it is imperative to explore new theories and technologies that ensure high safety, low environmental pollution, and low damaging impact during coal mining [17]. Moreover, it is crucial to analyse the impact during the whole life cycle.…”