Identification of Hazard-Source Indicators for Coal Spontaneous Combustion in Deep Mine Goafs

Abstract

To improve the proactive prevention and control of coal spontaneous-combustion disasters in the goafs of deep coal mines, this study identifies the factors associated with hazard-source recognition for coal spontaneous combustion in the goaf of a coal mine in Hebi, China. The mine is characterized by coal-seam explosibility and spontaneous-combustion proneness, large quantities of residual coal under fully mechanized top-coal caving, a complex air-leakage field, and concealed fire sources that are difficult to detect in a timely manner. On the basis of systems engineering theory and accident-causation theory, literature analysis, field investigation, and expert evaluation were integrated to conduct hierarchical identification of hazard sources related to goaf coal spontaneous combustion. A risk-evaluation indicator system was then established from four dimensions: human factors, equipment factors, environmental factors, and management factors. The results indicate that goaf coal spontaneous combustion is not governed by a single factor; rather, it is a dynamic disaster process driven by the coupled effects of residual-coal oxidation and heat accumulation, air leakage and oxygen supply, production organization, equipment reliability, and management execution. Among the identified indicators, the accuracy of early hazard recognition, reliability of standby power supply and emergency equipment, matching degree between longwall face advance rate and the spontaneous-combustion period, and closed-loop rate of hazard investigation and rectification exert critical influences on risk evolution. The findings provide theoretical support for precise prevention and control of goaf coal spontaneous-combustion risk in the studied mine and offer a reference for fire-prevention and fire-extinguishing management in similar deep, fully mechanized top-coal-caving mines.