Research on gas hazard prevention and control of a high-gas fully mechanized mining face based on ventilation system optimization

The gas accumulation in the return corner of a high-gas fully mechanized mining face can easily cause the gas volume fraction to exceed the safety limit, threatening the safety of coal mines. In this study, the unit method was used to analyze the gas sources and emissions based on the actual case. The airflow and gas distribution characteristics of the two-inlet-one-outlet (TIOO) ventilation system and the one-inlet-two-outlet (OITO) ventilation system were studied using CFD numerical simulation. The results show that under the TIOO ventilation system, the “U”-type air leakage in the goaf leads deep gas into the return corner, which causes the gas volume fraction in the return corner to rise to 0.4–2.0%. After the mining face is optimized into the OITO ventilation system, the “J”-type air leakage of the goaf suppresses the high concentration of gas in the deep position of the goaf. Combined with the gas extraction measures, the gas volume fraction in the return corner, exhaust roadway’s outlet, and retaining roadway’s outlet is controlled at 0.28%, 0.34%, and 0.23%. This study will provide new ideas for solving the problem of gas accumulation in the return corner of a high-gas fully mechanized mining face.