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Numerical simulation of pressure relief stress distribution of diamond beaded rope saw cutting in low permeability coal seam

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2023-09-01
JournalGeomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources
AuthorsWang We, Xiaochuan Wang, H. Q. Li, Jincheng Hu, Tianyi Zhang
InstitutionsWuhan University
Citations2
AnalysisFull AI Review Included

Technical Documentation & Analysis: Diamond Beaded Rope Saw Cutting in Low Permeability Coal Seams

Section titled “Technical Documentation & Analysis: Diamond Beaded Rope Saw Cutting in Low Permeability Coal Seams”

This research utilizes finite element modeling (ABAQUS) and the Coulomb friction contact model to analyze the stress distribution resulting from diamond beaded rope saw cutting in low permeability coal seams, confirming the superior efficiency of this method for pressure relief and permeability enhancement.

  • Core Mechanism: Pressure relief is primarily driven by tangential slip (shear displacement) of the coal body along the extremely narrow diamond-cut slit surface, contrasting sharply with the normal displacement mechanism of wide hydraulic slots.
  • Optimal Geometry: The maximum pressure relief range and amplitude exhibit a “single peak” distribution, achieving maximum effectiveness when the angle (α) between the slit and the maximum in-situ stress is 45°.
  • Material Requirement: The effectiveness hinges on the ability of the diamond saw to create an extremely thin, continuous slit, requiring highly durable and precise diamond cutting elements.
  • Key Parameter Influence: Increasing slit length and working face length positively correlate with the pressure relief range. A smoother cutting surface (lower friction coefficient, ”) significantly enhances the pressure relief amplitude (up to 82% relief at ”=0.00).
  • 6CCVD Value Proposition: 6CCVD provides the high-performance MPCVD Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) and Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) materials necessary to manufacture the durable, high-precision diamond beads required for this advanced mining technology.

The following parameters were extracted from the numerical simulation model used to characterize the large-scale coal and surrounding rock behavior.

ParameterValueUnitContext
Model Size (Cube)500 x 500 x 500mLarge-scale simulation volume
Coal Seam Thickness4mNo. 5 Coal
Coal Young’s Modulus (E)1.49GPaMaterial property (Mohr Coulomb model)
Coal Poisson’s Ratio (v)0.38-Material property
Coal Cohesion (c)1.20MPaMaterial property
Coal Internal Friction Angle (φ)20°Material property
Ground Stress (σH)10MPaApplied three-dimensional ground stress
Optimal Slit Angle (α)45°Angle for maximum pressure relief
Maximum Pressure Relief AmplitudeUp to 50%Achieved at α=45° (for Δσ=5 MPa, ”=0)
Slit Length (dl) Range Tested150 to 225mParameter varied in simulation
Friction Coefficient (”) Range Tested0.00 to 0.13-Parameter varied (lower ” improves relief)
In-situ Stress Difference (Δσ) Range1 to 13MPaDynamic source of relative dislocation

The study employed a numerical simulation approach based on continuum mechanics and contact surface theory to model the large-scale stress redistribution.

  1. Modeling Platform: Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation conducted using ABAQUS software.
  2. Material Model: All coal and surrounding rock materials were characterized using the Mohr Coulomb constitutive model.
  3. Crack Representation: The diamond beaded slit was modeled as a contact surface with negligible spacing (a crack), rather than a wide hole structure, to accurately capture large-scale rock mass displacement.
  4. Contact Physics: The Coulomb friction model was adopted to characterize the contact properties and tangential slip behavior between the coal/rock surfaces on both sides of the slit.
    • Critical Shear Stress (τcrit) defined by: τcrit = ”Fn (where Fn is normal pressure and ” is the friction coefficient).
  5. Iterative Solution: An iterative calculation process based on the principle of stress superposition was used to solve the complex stress distribution problem across partitioned half-planes (Fig. 7).
  6. Parameter Variation: The simulation systematically varied five key parameters to determine their influence on stress distribution: Slit length (dl), Working face length (ds), Slit angle (α), Seam surface friction coefficient (”), and In-situ stress difference (Δσ).

The research confirms that diamond beaded rope saw cutting is a high-efficiency method for geomechanical stress relief, relying on the diamond material’s ability to create an extremely narrow, durable cut in hard coal and rock. 6CCVD is uniquely positioned to supply the advanced diamond materials required to manufacture these high-performance cutting beads.

The success of this technology depends on the extreme hardness and wear resistance of the diamond beads. 6CCVD recommends the following materials for manufacturing the cutting elements:

6CCVD MaterialRecommended GradeApplication Relevance
Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD)Mining/Abrasive Grade PCDIdeal for rope saw beads due to exceptional toughness, high wear resistance, and thermal stability required for cutting hard, abrasive coal and rock masses.
Single Crystal Diamond (SCD)High-Durability SCDSuitable for specialized cutting segments where maximum precision and edge retention are critical, potentially used in the initial cutting tool or guide elements.
Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD)Not ApplicableBDD is primarily for electrochemical or sensor applications, not mechanical cutting.

The paper highlights that optimizing the cutting process involves minimizing the friction coefficient (”) and maximizing cutting speed and bead density (Conclusion 5). 6CCVD supports manufacturers in achieving these goals through custom material engineering:

  • Custom Dimensions: We supply PCD plates and wafers up to 125mm in custom geometries, suitable for laser cutting or sintering into specific bead shapes and sizes required for optimal rope saw design.
  • Precision Thickness: We offer SCD and PCD materials with thicknesses ranging from 0.1”m to 500”m, ensuring the material integrity needed for durable cutting segments.
  • Advanced Metalization: Diamond beads require robust bonding to the wire rope. 6CCVD offers in-house metalization services (including Ti, W, and Cu) critical for enhancing the adhesion and thermal management of the diamond segments during the sintering process.
  • Ultra-Low Roughness Polishing: While the final bead surface is rough, 6CCVD can provide highly polished diamond substrates (Ra < 5nm for inch-size PCD) for tooling or calibration purposes, ensuring the highest quality starting material.

The simulation results emphasize the importance of selecting optimal fracture and geological parameters (e.g., the 45° angle, low friction). 6CCVD’s in-house PhD team specializes in diamond material science and can provide expert consultation to rope saw manufacturers and mining engineers:

  • Material Selection Optimization: Assistance in selecting the optimal diamond grade (PCD grain size, density, and binder composition) to maximize wear life and minimize the effective friction coefficient (”) during the cutting of specific coal/rock types.
  • Application Extension: Support for extending this pressure relief technology to other hard rock or low-permeability geological formations requiring precision slotting.

Call to Action: For custom specifications or material consultation regarding high-performance diamond cutting elements for geomechanical applications, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

Abstract The diamond bead slit is a practical method for changing the stress distribution of low permeability coal seam and achieving pressure relief and reflection improvement. The stress distribution of coal seam in large scale is not clear due to the influence of diamond bead slit parameters and geological parameters, making it difficult to identify. In this paper, the finite element model with built-in Coulomb friction contact surface is used to simulate the stress distribution in coal with different angles, seam length, working face length, seam friction coefficient and different in-situ stress difference. This investigation is conducted to examine the stress distribution of parallel working face, vertical coal seam, and advance working face. The simulation results show that the mechanism of stress transfer in large scale diamond beaded rope saw cutting coal seam is mainly due to the tangential slip of coal body on both sides of seam surface, forming concentrative zone and pressure relief zone with axial distribution, center symmetry and phase. The pressure relief range and maximum pressure relief range of all three direction present a “single peak” distribution with the change of angel α between slit and maximum in-situ stress, i.e. when α = 45°, both of them are maximum. The slit length mainly affects the stress distribution in the advancing direction of the working face, and the length of working face mainly affects the stress distribution in the direction of parallel working face and vertical coal seam, both of which are positively correlated with the pressure relief range and the maximum pressure relief amplitude. The friction coefficient of seam surface and the difference of in-situ stress affect the relative dislocation of coal body on both sides of seam surface, and they inhibit and promote the pressure relief range and the maximum pressure relief amplitude respectively, and are greatly affected by α . The simulation results above suggest that it is reasonable to select fracture and geological parameters in practical engineering.