Numerical Simulation of Methane Distribution at the Longwall Working with Various Stages of Shearer Advance

The article presents a methodology for predicting the impact of the longwall shearer’s control parameter on methane emission rate to the working of a longwall based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods. The methodology was applied to the Z-11a longwall panel conditions at the Jankowice Hard Coal Mine. The results of the methane emissions rate in the working of a longwall for three variations of the position of the longwall shearer are shown and discussed. The modelled issue’s geometry, numerical grid, assumptions, and boundary conditions are presented. The filtration parameters of goafs are discussed. Relationships to estimate the various sources of methane emissions into the air flowing around the longwall panel Z-11a are presented. The results of the model tests were compared with the mining data in the Z-11a longwall panel at the Jankowice Hard Coal Mine.