Study on the Behavior of Methane Gas surrounding Mining Panel.

To estimate the methane gas emission from the mining panel during coal minimg operation, we proposed a numerical model. The values of methane gas content of coal which were measured by the special device were used in the finite difference calculations. From the comparison of estimation of the methane gas emission from the mining panel by using the numerical model with the actual observed results, following things became clear.The numerical model which was used in the calculations is suitable for estimation of methane gas emission from the mining panel of Taiheiyo Coal Mine. When the maximum value of measured methane gas content of coal is used for the initial condition in the numerical calculations, the estimated values of methane gas emission are best fitted to the actual observed results.