Mathematical modeling of methane flow in a borehole coal mining system

Safety in coal mining is greatly increased by the drainage of the methane content of coal seams through boreholes, simultaneously producing significant energy. The design of suitable drainage technology is based on the mathematical modeling of methane flow in coal seams. In the calculation of the methane pressure, the new mathematical model presented in this paper considers both the sorption phenomenon of methane depending upon the methane pressure and the fact that the variation in methane pressure can create a change in the stress condition of the rock and, as a consequence of this, a change in the permeability of the coal. The new mathematical model can be used for the numerical simulation of the flow processes in coal seams and methane drainage technology can be designed more accurately.