The present invention relates to a mining method including the step of forming one or more sets of gate roads. Each set of gate roads includes at least two headings typically for providing and retuning ventilation. Dead end plunge cuts extend from the sets of gate roads. Each plunge cut is formed with a continuous miner coupled to a flexible conveyor system. Each plunge cut is greater than 30 metres in length. Advantageously, narrow elongate pillars may be left between adjacent plunge cuts, thereby resulting in greater material removal per volume and improved operating costs when compared with bord and pillar mining.

Disclose is a separator for separating liquid from a fluid stream including a mixture of gas and liquid. The separator comprises a first vessel including an outlet and an inlet for receiving the fluid stream, the first vessel in fluid communication with a second vessel via a first valve, the second vessel in fluid communication with a liquid outlet via a second valve, wherein the first vessel is arranged to enable the liquid to flow into the second vessel. The separator also has a second valve for controlling release of liquid from the second vessel, the first and second valves being pneumatically operated, the pneumatic operation of the first and second valves allowing only one of the first and second valves to be open during operation of the separator.

A well system comprising at least one gas well extending from a ground surface into the ground, a water production well extending from a surface into the ground and a water drainage well fluidly connecting the at least one gas well to the water production well.

A well system comprising at least one gas well extending from a ground surface into the ground, a water production well extending from a surface into the ground and a water drainage well fluidly connecting the at least one gas well to the water production well.

A full-length screen pipe hole protection device and method with pressurized hole packing in a soft coal seam relates to the field of gas drainage technologies. The device includes a grouting system, a drainage system and a hole fixing system. The grouting system injects a pressurized sealing material into a borehole through a pressure pump to increase a sealing effect of the borehole. The drainage system drains gas in the middle of air holes on metal baffle plates and hole fixing screen pipes through a drainage pipe to increase flowability of gas. The hole fixing system is inside the borehole and fixed with the metal baffle plates, and the hole fixing screen pipes are fixedly connected with each other through fitting mouths and fitting buckles. The device is fixedly mounted in the gas drainage borehole. After hole packing, the drainage pipe is connected with a drainage pump to drain gas.

A full-length screen pipe hole protection device and method with pressurized hole packing in a soft coal seam relates to the field of gas drainage technologies. The device includes a grouting system, a drainage system and a hole fixing system. The grouting system injects a pressurized sealing material into a borehole through a pressure pump to increase a sealing effect of the borehole. The drainage system drains gas in the middle of air holes on metal baffle plates and hole fixing screen pipes through a drainage pipe to increase flowability of gas. The hole fixing system is inside the borehole and fixed with the metal baffle plates, and the hole fixing screen pipes are fixedly connected with each other through fitting mouths and fitting buckles. The device is fixedly mounted in the gas drainage borehole. After hole packing, the drainage pipe is connected with a drainage pump to drain gas.

A barrier assembly used in the protection of personnel at worksites and/or residential areas from escapes of gas. Such a barrier assembly controls the lateral and vertical spread of gas in the event of an escape of the gas, even more particularly toxic gas. The barrier assembly can be used at operating sites where gases are produced, and in particular where high concentrations of toxic gases (e.g. CO2, H2S, SO2, mercaptans etc.) are present. The barrier assembly can, optionally acting as a safety system in the event of an accidental uncontrolled release of these toxic gases into the atmosphere.

A barrier assembly used in the protection of personnel at worksites and/or residential areas from escapes of gas. Such a barrier assembly controls the lateral and vertical spread of gas in the event of an escape of the gas, even more particularly toxic gas. The barrier assembly can be used at operating sites where gases are produced, and in particular where high concentrations of toxic gases (e.g. CO2, H2S, SO2, mercaptans etc.) are present. The barrier assembly can, optionally acting as a safety system in the event of an accidental uncontrolled release of these toxic gases into the atmosphere.

The present invention provides an inversion calculation method of coal-bed gas parameters of fast test while-drilling. The technical solution is that an inversion calculation method of coal-bed gas parameters of fast test while-drilling includes: during drilling in a coal bed, testing a gas flow and a gas concentration of an orifice in real time while-drilling, calculating drilling gas discharge amounts of the orifice, inversely calculating a coal-bed gas pressure at a drill bit based on borehole and coal-bed permeability parameters, and calculating a coal-bed gas content according to a gas content and gas pressure relational expression. The present invention has the beneficial effects that the present invention does not occupy the drilling and drill rod replacement time, is accurate, convenient, real-time and fast, and can test and calculate the coal-bed gas parameters of each section along the whole borehole length.

Various examples are provided related to methane detection in harsh environments. In one example, a method includes drawing a sample of air from at least one first location; delivering the sample to a volume within a sensor block at a second location, where the sensor block includes a gas concentration sensor in communication with the volume; and where a vacuum is applied to the volume within the sensor block to facilitate delivery of the sample to the second location. In another example, a system includes a sampling unit that houses a sensor block, where a sample tube is coupled to an inlet of the sensor block, which includes a gas concentration sensor; an ejector that facilitates delivery of a sample of air from the first location via the sample tube; and a control unit that can receive a gas concentration sensor output from the sampling unit for processing.