DEGASSING METHOD OF WORKED-OUT AREA Russian patent published in 2011 - IPC E21F7/00 

FIELD: mining.

SUBSTANCE: method involves installation of gas-collecting header, connection of gas-collecting header to collecting gas line by means of gas discharge channels, connection of gas-collecting header to degassing system and exhaust of gas-air mixture via collecting gas line behind mining face. Gas-collecting header represents mine opening. At that, mine opening at its development is oriented above belt roadway so that distance between projection of longitudinal axis of this opening to the soil of the worked-out area does not exceed 20 m. Underground wells are used as gas discharge channels. At that, as underground wells are drilled, each of them is equipped with gas discharge pipe the upper end of which freely enters the header, and lower end is equipped with shutoff member in CLOSED position, and this end is connected to collecting gas line routed in the belt roadway. Underground wells are sealed after gas discharge pipes are installed in them. As the mining face advances, position of shutoff members is adjusted.

EFFECT: increasing methane concentration in the evacuated gas-air mixture with simultaneous increase in its production rate.

2 cl, 3 dwg