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Innovative Technologies for Mine Water Treatment

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Wastewater Treatment and Reuse".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 July 2024) | Viewed by 7894

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing, China
Interests: hydrogeology; environment geology; application of GIS; abnormal groundwater dynamics assessment; water inrush assessment; mine water control; mine water environment
College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing, China
Interests: environment geology; mine environment assessment; water inrush analysis; hydrogeology; geothermal

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Considering the goals of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, we urgently need new technologies for the evaluation, prediction, prevention, and control of water problems at mining operations and their impact on the environment—this is crucial for ensuring mine safety production and regional sustainable development. We are pleased to invite you to submit interdisciplinary research within the aforementioned scope to this Special Issue, and stimulate potential interest among researchers and/or practitioners in this field. Studies exploring laboratory and field experiments, modelling efforts, studies of relevant field sites, technical evaluations of new technology, and engineering applications are all welcome.

This Special Issue aims to convey new technical information and publish original contributions that address either technical questions or practical issues related to mine water and the environment. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but not limited to, the following: inversion analysis of abnormal mine groundwater dynamics disaster; simulation and evaluation of mine water filling conditions; advanced detection of mine water disaster; monitoring and warning of mine water disaster; emergency response and rescue of mine water disaster; identification of mine water inrush sources; and assessment of mine ecological environment.

Prof. Dr. Donglin Dong
Dr. Wenjie Sun
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • abnormal groundwater dynamics
  • water inrush
  • mine water control
  • mine water environment
  • water chemistry assessment

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 6146 KiB  
Article
An Analytical Solution for Characterizing Mine Water Recharge of Water Source Heat Pump in Abandoned Coal Mines
by Kun Tu, Xiaoqiang Pan, Hongwei Zhang, Xiang Li and Hongyi Zhao
Water 2024, 16(19), 2781; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16192781 - 30 Sep 2024
Viewed by 407
Abstract
Due to tremendous mining operations, large quantities of abandoned mines with considerable underground excavated space have formed in China during the past decades. This provides huge potential for geothermal energy production from mine water in abandoned coal mines to supply clean heating and [...] Read more.
Due to tremendous mining operations, large quantities of abandoned mines with considerable underground excavated space have formed in China during the past decades. This provides huge potential for geothermal energy production from mine water in abandoned coal mines to supply clean heating and cooling for buildings using heat pump technologies. In this study, an analytical model describing the injection pressure of mine water recharge for water source heat pumps in abandoned coal mines is developed. The analytical solution in the Laplace domain for the injection pressure is derived and the influences of different parameters on the injection pressure are investigated. This study indicates that a smaller pumping rate results in a smaller injection pressure, while smaller values of the hydraulic conductivity and the thickness of equivalent aquifer induce larger injection pressures. The well distance has insignificantly influenced the injection pressure at the beginning, but a smaller well distance leads to a larger injection pressure at later times. Additionally, the sensitivity analysis, conducted to assess the behavior of injection pressure with concerning changes in each input parameter, shows that the pumping rate and the hydraulic conductivity have a large influence on injection pressure compared with other parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Technologies for Mine Water Treatment)
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14 pages, 9624 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Study on the Electrical Characteristics and Full-Spectrum Tracing of Water Sources in Water-Rich Coal Mines
by Donglin Dong, Fangang Meng, Jialun Zhang, Enyu Zhang and Xindong Lin
Water 2024, 16(18), 2673; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16182673 - 19 Sep 2024
Viewed by 573
Abstract
This study addresses the complex hydrogeological conditions and frequent inrush water incidents in the Donghuantuo coal mine by proposing a novel spectral tracing technique aimed at rapidly and accurately identifying the sources of inrush water. Through the analysis of electrical data from the [...] Read more.
This study addresses the complex hydrogeological conditions and frequent inrush water incidents in the Donghuantuo coal mine by proposing a novel spectral tracing technique aimed at rapidly and accurately identifying the sources of inrush water. Through the analysis of electrical data from the Donghuantuo mine, the electrical characteristics of the mine floor were examined. Systematic sampling of water from the primary aquifers within the mining area was conducted, followed by detailed spectral measurements, resulting in the establishment of a spectral database for inrush water sources in the Donghuantuo mine. The chaotic sparrow search optimization algorithm (CSSOA) was employed to optimize the key parameters of the random forest (RF) model, leading to the development of the CSSOA-RF spectral tracing identification model. This model demonstrated outstanding classification performance in the test set, achieving an accuracy of 100%. This research offers a novel, more accurate, and reliable method for identifying the sources of inrush water, facilitating the rapid identification of sources in coal-bearing regions of North China and reducing disaster losses. Although the geological structure of the study area is relatively simple, the research achieved significant results in identifying both single and mixed water sources. However, further validation and optimization are needed for its applicability in more complex geological conditions. The findings of this study provide crucial technical support for safe mining operations and hold significant reference value for water hazard prevention in similar regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Technologies for Mine Water Treatment)
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19 pages, 13045 KiB  
Article
Evolution Characteristics of Heilongtan Spring Discharge and Its Response Law to Precipitation in Lijiang City, China
by Wenjie Sun, Wenjie Li, Jinxin Fang and Pinghong Yang
Water 2024, 16(18), 2582; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16182582 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 343
Abstract
The contradiction between water supply and spring preservation issues is becoming increasingly apparent as Lijiang City develops. An investigation into the dynamic variations in the discharge rate of Heilongtan Spring in Lijiang City and the response law between the water level of the [...] Read more.
The contradiction between water supply and spring preservation issues is becoming increasingly apparent as Lijiang City develops. An investigation into the dynamic variations in the discharge rate of Heilongtan Spring in Lijiang City and the response law between the water level of the spring and precipitation is crucial for safeguarding the landscape water of Heilongtan Spring. This study employed linear regression analysis, Mann–Kendall (MK) mutation test, wavelet analysis, and vector autoregression (VAR) to examine the fluctuating pattern of the Heilongtan Spring discharge and the response of the Heilongtan Spring water level to precipitation in Lijiang City. Furthermore, the study discussed the influence of human activities on the alteration of Heilongtan Spring. The results indicate that the mean discharge rate of Heilongtan Spring is 0.94 m3/s, with an annual variation of 0.05 m3/s. The time series analysis reveals that the variation pattern of Heilongtan Spring discharge aligns with the precipitation trend in Lijiang City. Nevertheless, there is a distinction between the timing of the Heilongtan Spring discharge station point and the precipitation mutation point in Lijiang City. The significant primary cycle of spring discharge change occurs every 18 months, with a cycle length of 12 months. The vector autoregression (VAR) model demonstrates a lagged relationship between the water level of Heilongtan Spring and the precipitation in Lijiang City. Specifically, the water level of Heilongtan Spring has a four-month lag response to precipitation variability in Lijiang City. The results can provide a beneficial reference for preserving spring water and managing regional water resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Technologies for Mine Water Treatment)
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16 pages, 12528 KiB  
Article
A Ground-Penetrating Radar-Based Study of the Structure and Moisture Content of Complex Reconfigured Soils
by Yunlan He, Lulu Fang, Suping Peng, Wen Liu and Changhao Cui
Water 2024, 16(16), 2332; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16162332 - 19 Aug 2024
Viewed by 749
Abstract
To increase the detection accuracy of soil structure and moisture content in reconstituted soils under complex conditions, this study utilizes a 400 MHz ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to examine a study area consisting of loess, sandy loam, red clay, and mixed soil. The research [...] Read more.
To increase the detection accuracy of soil structure and moisture content in reconstituted soils under complex conditions, this study utilizes a 400 MHz ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to examine a study area consisting of loess, sandy loam, red clay, and mixed soil. The research involves analyzing the single-channel waveforms and two-dimensional images of GPR, preprocessing the data, obtaining envelope information via amplitude envelope detection, and performing a Hilbert transformation. This study employs a least squares fitting approach to the instantaneous phase envelope to ascertain the thickness of various soil layers. By utilizing the average envelope amplitude (AEA) method, a correlation between the radar’s early signal amplitude envelope and the soil’s shallow dielectric constant is established to invert the moisture content of the soil. The analysis integrates soil structure and moisture distribution data to investigate soil structure characteristics and moisture content performance under diverse soil properties and depths. The findings indicate that the envelope detection method effectively identifies stratification boundaries across different soil types; the AEA method is particularly efficacious in inverting the moisture content of reconstituted soils up to 3 m deep, with an average relative error ranging from 2.81% to 7.41%. Notably, moisture content variations in stratified reconstituted soils are more pronounced than those in mixed soil areas, displaying a marked stepwise increase with depth. The moisture content trends in the vertical direction of the same soil profile are generally consistent. This research offers a novel approach to studying reconstituted soils under complex conditions, confirming the viability of the envelope detection and AEA methods for intricate soil investigations and broadening the application spectrum of GPR in soil studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Technologies for Mine Water Treatment)
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25 pages, 12702 KiB  
Article
A New Technique of Grouting to Prevent Water–Sand Mixture Inrush inside the Mine Panel—A Case Study
by Rongjie Hu, Wanghua Sui, Daxing Chen, Yuxuan Liang, Ruijian Li, Xinshuai Li and Ge Chen
Water 2024, 16(15), 2071; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16152071 - 23 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 728
Abstract
Water–sand mixture inrush generally poses a significant threat to the safe operation of the quarry of coal mines. Therefore, proactive management initiatives are essential to enhance the impact resulting from mining operations. A novel approach involving grouting into the unconsolidated sand aquifer and [...] Read more.
Water–sand mixture inrush generally poses a significant threat to the safe operation of the quarry of coal mines. Therefore, proactive management initiatives are essential to enhance the impact resulting from mining operations. A novel approach involving grouting into the unconsolidated sand aquifer and the weathered zone was initially executed in the 1010-1 panel of the Wugou coal mine in Anhui Province, China. Considering the hydrogeological conditions of the study area, over 70 thousand tons of cement and fly ash were injected through 42 boreholes. Sampling, laboratory tests, similar materials model simulations, and numerical simulations of the trending and dipping profiles were all employed to elucidate the evolution and characteristics during the progression of the No. 10 coal seam. The outcomes illustrated that the grouting execution had transformed the structure of the porous media, weakened the watery media, and intensified the mechanical strength of the No. 4 aquifer and the weathering zone. This transformation proved beneficial in reducing the heights of the caving zone and water-conductive fracture zone, leaving more coal–rock pillars for safety. Twenty-seven underground detection drill holes and whole-space 3D resistivity exploration were adopted to verify its transformed property of low water content. During the mining process, the height of the caving zone at 19.70 m was measured through inter-hole parallel electrical detection. The pressure of hydraulic supports in the grouted area did not exceed the rated working pressure during mining. All of these findings highlight the significant impact of grouting in this study area. The successive safe mining of the 1010-1 panel demonstrates that grouting can be used to prevent water–sand mixture inrush during mining operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Technologies for Mine Water Treatment)
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13 pages, 4266 KiB  
Article
Research on the Influence Radius on the Surrounding Groundwater Level in the Beidianshengli Open-Pit Coal Mine of China
by Yunlan He, Lulu Fang, Suping Peng, Xikai Wang, Kexin Li, Changhao Cui, Zhuoming Liu and Yile Yang
Water 2024, 16(14), 1938; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16141938 - 9 Jul 2024
Viewed by 586
Abstract
Coal mining has a certain influence on and causes disturbances in groundwater. To investigate the variation trend of groundwater around the open-pit mine in grassland area, taking Shengli No. 1 open-pit mine as an example, the impact and variation trend of groundwater level [...] Read more.
Coal mining has a certain influence on and causes disturbances in groundwater. To investigate the variation trend of groundwater around the open-pit mine in grassland area, taking Shengli No. 1 open-pit mine as an example, the impact and variation trend of groundwater level in Quaternary aquifer around the mine area was studied by using the data of hydrological monitoring wells. The results show that the water level around the mining area varies from one year to the next. Since 2008, the water level has experienced a process of reduction, stability and increase. Compared with the background water level value, the current water level of each monitoring well is lower than the background water level. The influence radius calculated by Kusakin formula ranges from 94.15 m to 906.80 m, and the aquifer is heterogeneous. On the basis of the correlations between changes in waterline in monitoring wells and the stope distance, the disturbance radius of open-pit mining on surrounding diving water in grassland area is less than 2000 m. Based on the comprehensive analysis of the alteration of diving waterline and its influencing factors, the main factors affecting the variation in the phreatic water level are atmospheric precipitation, evaporation, groundwater usage and dewatering water. All factors act on the diversification of diving water level synthetically. The internal waste dump of an open-pit mine has a positive effect on the surrounding groundwater recovery. The aim of this study is to reveal the impact of open-pit mining on surrounding groundwater and providing scientific basis for future mining in other open-pit mines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Technologies for Mine Water Treatment)
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16 pages, 9872 KiB  
Article
Spatial and Temporal Characterization of Mine Water Inrush Accidents in China, 2014–2022
by Wenjie Sun, Wenjie Li, Lingfeng Ren and Kexin Li
Water 2024, 16(5), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16050656 - 23 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1142
Abstract
Currently, water inrush accidents in China’s coal mines are mainly under control, but occasionally, grave water inrush accidents still occur, causing significant casualties and economic losses. Existing studies have primarily focused on accident statistics, and the research on the trend of accident evolution [...] Read more.
Currently, water inrush accidents in China’s coal mines are mainly under control, but occasionally, grave water inrush accidents still occur, causing significant casualties and economic losses. Existing studies have primarily focused on accident statistics, and the research on the trend of accident evolution is becoming obsolete to match the current context of coal resource development. This study analyzes the water inrush accidents in China’s coal mines between 2014 and 2022. It investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of accidents, the level of accidents, and the extent to which water prevention and control measures vary by zone in coal mines. The study results showed that from 2014 to 2022, water inrush accidents in coal mines exhibited a “decline-stability-fluctuation” stage change pattern. Additionally, the location of water inrush accidents has shifted westward. Paying particular attention to preventing and controlling water disasters in coal mines within the west development zone is crucial. The water disaster accidents in China’s coal mines have been effectively controlled, but the problem of unequal levels of preventing and controlling water disasters in coal mines persists. This study can provide a reference for the safe and efficient production of coal mines and the control of the number of deaths in mine water hazard accidents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Technologies for Mine Water Treatment)
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13 pages, 9626 KiB  
Article
Grout Ground Leakage Caused by the Development of Separation Layer in a Case Study of Muduchaideng Coal Mine
by Baolei Xie, Xiangdong Meng, Wanghua Sui, Yuan Hang and Shichong Yuan
Water 2024, 16(2), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16020211 - 7 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1171
Abstract
A lot of grout ground leakage occurred during Muduchaideng coal mine separation layer grout work, resulting in serious pollution. To find the mechanism of grout leakage, this paper carried out indoor experiments and on-site measurements. Through the indoor scale model test, the deformation [...] Read more.
A lot of grout ground leakage occurred during Muduchaideng coal mine separation layer grout work, resulting in serious pollution. To find the mechanism of grout leakage, this paper carried out indoor experiments and on-site measurements. Through the indoor scale model test, the deformation of overburden stratum was captured, which reflected that the horizontal shear band developed at the depths of 289.67–322.48 m, 386.42–431.18 m, and 474.95–524.07 m. Then, these positions were verified through on-site drilling. It was found that the mud slurry consumption increased, the water level dropped, and the borehole wall was seriously deformed in these disturbed positions. Therefore, the reason for this grout leakage was that the overlying separation layer continued to develop upwards, and the borehole was destroyed in the location where the separation layer developed. Then, the grout pipeline was destroyed, and some grout flew towards the ground surface along the pipeline and the borehole wall. This article reveals a kind of grout ground leakage phenomenon in a case study of Muduchaideng coal mine, which can provide a warning for engineering projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Technologies for Mine Water Treatment)
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23 pages, 28609 KiB  
Article
Multi-Indicator Early-Warning Model for Mine Water Inrush at the Yushen Mining Area, Shaanxi Province, China
by Jinxi Liang, Wanghua Sui, Ge Chen, Hujun Ren and Xibin Li
Water 2023, 15(22), 3910; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15223910 - 9 Nov 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1218
Abstract
Previously conducted studies have established that the early warning of water inrush is crucial for the prevention and control of mining water catastrophes in the panel. In order to ensure the safety of coal mining, in this paper, monitoring indicators were determined using [...] Read more.
Previously conducted studies have established that the early warning of water inrush is crucial for the prevention and control of mining water catastrophes in the panel. In order to ensure the safety of coal mining, in this paper, monitoring indicators were determined using the sensitivity analysis method, and then a multi-indicator early-warning model for water inrush was established mainly based on the geological data of the Yanghuopan coal mine. The monitoring stage of the early-warning model should be determined according to the distance between the monitoring borehole and the mining position. Then, the development of a water-conducting fracture zone and the fluctuation and stochastic oscillator of monitoring indicators are comprehensively analyzed to determine the early-warning level. A multi-indicator early-warning model was applied to panel 30302 of the Yanghuopan coal mine and panel 1304 of the Zhaoxian coal mine in the Yushen mining areas. The abnormal warning of the water disaster in panel 1304 was sent 3 days before the disaster, which shows the effectiveness of the model. It can provide a reference for the development of an early-warning model for mine water inrush in Yushen mining areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Technologies for Mine Water Treatment)
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