Shenhua Guoneng Pioneers the Industry in Coal Floor Water Inrush Prevention Technology

On August 9, Shenhua Guoneng Group Co. Ltd.  under China Energy successfully applied the large-caliber steel tubes and desilting technology in coal floor water inrush prevention. This was the first time that the technology was used in open-pit coal mines in China.

The construction site.

The open-pit coal mine of Baoqing Coal and Power Co., Ltd. affiliated to Shenhua Guoneng features a soft geological layer mainly comprised of clay and sandstone. Different rock strata vary in water permeability. The local aquifers, especially coal floor water, are hard to dry up, thus impacting the stability of the earth slopes of the dumping site and the operation of earth dumping. To solve the technical problem, the company has vigorously promoted technological innovation. Based on the relevant hydrological and geological survey report and the actual condition of the coal bed, the company independently developed the technology of laying steel pipes measuring 185 meters in length, 1 meter in diameter, and 35 tons in weight together with gravel and sand and installing special components such as steel wires inside the steel pipes on the coal floor.

Excavators install a steel pipe.

With this new technology, Baoqing not only overcame the problem that long-distance steel pipes couldn’t achieve internal desilting, but also enhanced water drainage and slope stability. This was the first time that the technology was used in open-pit coal mine water inrush prevention, laying a solid foundation for building China’s first-class open-pit coal mines. The installation of the steel pipes is expected to be accomplished before the arrival of the flood season.