Fluid–Solid Coupling Characteristics of Methane-Containing Coal during Borehole Extraction of Coalbed: Numerical Modeling and Experimental Research

Abstract

The control and utilization of coalbed methane (CBM) are crucial for ensuring the safety of coal mining operations and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Predrainage of CBM from boreholes plays a pivotal role in preventing CBM accidents, harnessing CBM energy resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To better understand the evolution of key parameters during the predrainage process of CBM boreholes, this study, based on fundamental assumptions of coupling models, integrates the theories of elasticity, seepage mechanics, and fluid mechanics. It establishes a comprehensive mathematical model that reveals the interrelationships among the stress field, deformation field, and seepage field within methane-containing coal systems. By comparing numerical solutions with analytical solutions and conducting physical similarity simulation experiments, the study demonstrates the correctness of the methane-containing coal fluid–solid coupling model. The model developed in this study represents an improvement over traditional methane-containing coal seepage theories and fluid–solid coupling model theories and can be widely applied in the prevention of coal and CBM outbursts as well as CBM extraction.