Experimental Test and Field Observations of an Electric Potential Monitoring Device for Dynamic Hazards during Mining Activities

Abstract

The EP (electric potential) signals can be generated during the deformation and fracture process of coal and rock mass. Meanwhile, the EP response is closely related to its stress state and damage evolution, which is expected to be used in monitoring and coal and rock dynamic disaster hazards. Based on this, this paper developed an EP monitoring device for mining to continuously monitor the temporal response characteristics and spatial distribution of coal seam internal EP signals in real time. Further, the experimental tests were carried out, whose results showed that the device has high monitoring sensitivity and little error for the EP signals and can reveal the loading state and damage degree of the coal and rock specimens during the deformation and fracture process. Moreover, the tests and application of EP monitoring were carried out during mining activities in the field. The results showed that the EP signals fluctuate during the coal mining stage and remain relatively stable during the maintenance stage. When the abnormal mining stress or the coal cannon phenomenon occurs, the intensity of EP signals increases rapidly and fluctuates violently, which has precursory response information for the hazards of dynamic disasters. Considering the advantages of sensitive response and nearly non-destructive monitoring, the study results can provide key monitoring equipment and research basis for field testing the EP signals during the mining process, to monitor and forecast the hazards of coal and rock dynamic disasters.