Sustainability Commons^™

Utilization Of Solar And Wind Power-Generation Systems In The Mining Industry: Recent Trends And Future Prospects, Elaheh Mohammadi Valikandi, Yosoon Choi

Journal of Sustainable Mining

In recent years, the mining industry has faced many challenges, such as rising demand, fluctuating energy prices, increasing energy consumption due to declining ore grades, and environmental concerns. According to the Paris Agreement, countries worldwide must focus on decarbonizing their economies to mitigate the global average surface temperature growth. This paper reviews how renewable energy, specifically photovoltaic and wind power systems, can be used to tackle some of these challenges. Operating mines globally, like the South Deep gold mine in South Africa and the MA'ADEN Alumina Refinery in Saudi Arabia, and abandoned mines, such as former coal mines in the …

A Step By Step Shoreline Attribute Analysis For Selected Waterbodies In The Gulf Of Mexico To Promote The Use Of Living Shorelines, Christoper Boyd, Xutong Niu, Taylor R. Horn

Journal of Extension

Living Shorelines are being promoted by coastal extension professionals as a more resilient nature-based solution to control shoreline erosion. The Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences Living Shorelines Suitability Model was run in selected waterbodies within the Gulf of Mexico.

The locations of the selected water bodies, coastal data sets used, and shoreline protection recommendations generated by the Model are presented. A step-by-step statistical analysis conducted through ArcGIS Pro from these selected coastal shorelines will illustrate how extension professionals with novice GIS experience can use the model output to promote living shorelines to coastal property owners, city managers, and developers.

How Much Green To Keep The Garden Clean? An Analysis Of The Willingness To Pay (Wtp) Of Home Gardeners For Biowrap Technology, Gengchen Cai, Kanij Fatema, Karina A. Schoengold

Cornhusker Economics

A research team from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kansas State University, and South Dakota School of Mines are working on creating an alternative product that would use locally available materials to create a spray-on, biodegradable polymer that can suppress weeds and will biodegrade in a timeframe that is amenable to crop production. We broadly refer to this technology as BioWRAP (Bioplastics with Regenerative Agricultural Properties).

Our results show that the home garden market is potentially a significant one for a BioWRAP product. Continued work in the development of the BioWRAP technology is necessary to determine what the cost of a …

Understanding Associations Between Disasters And Sustainability, Resilience, And Poverty: An Empirical Study Of The Last Two Decades, Dean Kyne, Dominic Kyei

Sociology Faculty Publications

This study investigates the impact of disasters on sustainability, resilience, and poverty, using data from the “Sustainable Development Report” and the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) from 2000 to 2023. Regression models assessed the effects of disasters, deaths, injuries, affected individuals, and economic damage on normalized values of the dependent variables with lag periods of one, two, and three years of independent variables. The results reveal that disasters consistently negatively impact sustainability and resilience, highlighting the need for robust disaster risk reduction strategies and resilient infrastructure. Higher mortality rates significantly hindered development, emphasizing the importance of improving early warning systems, emergency …

Polish Energy Sector’S Dependence On Lignite Mining: The Process Of Transition, Marek Widera, Wojciech Naworyta, Paweł Urbański

Journal of Sustainable Mining

This opinion study is devoted to the role of lignite in the Polish energy sector in recent decades, i.e., after the collapse of communism in 1989. Lignite is the primary source of electricity in Poland, second only to hard coal. More than 25–35% of Polish electricity was generated by lignite-fired power plants in 1990–2022. To meet the needs of the energy industry, 46–70 Mt of lignite was mined annually in that period. Hence, Poland was, and still is, one of the world leaders in lignite production. Despite the ongoing transition of the Polish energy sector, changes occur very slowly due …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.

Enrichment Patterns And Exploration Countermeasures Of Deep Coalbed Methane In The Linxing-Shenfu Block On The Eastern Margin Of The Ordos Basin, Xu Changgui, Ji Hongquan, Wang Cunwu, Zhu Xueshen

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Some insights have been gained into the enrichment and accumulation patterns of deep coalbed methane (CBM) in high-rank coal seams on the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin, represented by the Daning-Jixian block. However, the exploration of deep CBM in medium-rank coal seams in the Linxing-Shenfu block, located in the northern segment of the basin's eastern margin remains in its initial stage, leading to an inaccurate and unclear understanding of the enrichment and accumulation patterns. This necessitates summarizing these patterns to effectively guide deep CBM exploration and exploitation. Methods Focusing on the Nos.8 and 9 coal seams of the …

Discovery Of A Large Gas Field Of Deep Coalbed Methane In The Shenfu Block And Its Implications, Zhu Guanghui, Ji Hongquan, Mi Honggang, Zhang Yingchun, Sun Qiang, Zhao Wei, Zhu Xueshen, Kang Lifang, Wang Yuchuan

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background After explorations of unconventional natural gas for nearly two decades in the Shenfu block on the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin, deep coalbed methane (CBM) with reserves of 100 billion m³ was discovered in this block in 2023. However, the preliminary exploration of deep CBM in this block faces challenges of insufficient understanding of geological laws, immature fracturing technologies, and a lack of production technologies and experience.Methods and Results Driven by both management and technological innovations, encouraging exploration results have been achieved. The management innovations include: (1) The implementation of a complementary and three-dimensional exploration model …

Predicting The “Sweet Spot” Of Deep Coalbed Methane Based On Resource Conditions And Fracability, Zhao Zhigang, Zhu Xueshen, Wang Cunwu, Zhu Yanhe, Lyu Yumin, Chen Silu, Qi Yu, Tian Yongjing

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective China has made breakthroughs in the exploration of large-scale deep coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs along the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin. However, effectively converting the reserves of these reservoirs into production and achieving their efficient exploitation remain unclear. Methods Based on the geological, tests, fracturing, and production performance data, this study conducted research into the assessment of geological-engineering dual “sweet spots” of deep CBM in the southern Shenfu block by focusing on the resource conditions and fracability of deep CBM reservoirs. [Results and Conclusions] Key findings are as follows: (1) The study area hosts suitable coal-forming facies zones …

Critical Drilling And Completion Techniques For Deep Coalbed Methane In The Shenfu Block And Their Applications, Wang Peng, Li Bin, Wang Kunjian, Zhang Hongjie, Zhang Yingchun, Du Jia, Zhang Linqiang, Wang Xiaoqi, Su Haiyan, Chen Guanghui, Yang Ruiyue

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Deep coal seams exhibit high in-situ stress, moderate to high temperatures, ultra-low permeability, high compressibility, and significant heterogeneity, leading to the absence of mature technical systems for their exploitation presently. The complex geological characteristics of deep coal seams pose new technical challenges to their drilling and completion engineering, rendering it urgent to tackle theoretical and technical challenges in drilling and completion tailored to the geological characteristics of deep coal seam reservoirs. The purpose is to achieve the reserve growth and production addition of hydrocarbons in order to guarantee China’s strategic energy security. Methods Based on the pilot tests for …

Production Characteristics Of Deep Coalbed Methane Wells In The Linxing Block And Associated Their Influencing Factors, Wang Zhizhuang, Wu Peng, Sun Qiang, Liu Rui, Wang Lingbo

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The production characteristics of deep coalbed methane (CBM) are significantly distinguished from those of middle-shallow CBM, and even the production wells of deep CBM within the same block exhibit different characteristics. Given that relevant research remains in its exploratory stage, gaining a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the differences in production characteristics of deep CBM is significant for the production capacity prediction and production management of the subsequent large-scale production stage. Methods To determine the production characteristics of deep CBM in the Linxing block and their influencing factors, this study examined geological engineering factors including gas content, coal …

Optimization Of Schemes For Multi-Reservoir Commingled Fracturing Of Coal Measures In The Linxing Block, Wang Bo, Zhang Bing, Mi Honggang, Du Jia, Duan Jiajia, Cui Shuhui, Zhang Haozhe, Fu Tianyu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The coal-bearing strata in the Linxing block on the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin exhibit the alternating occurrence of multiple sequences and vertical thin layers (interlayers). Therefore, multi-reservoir commingled fracturing is essential for the cost-effective, efficient exploitation of coal-measure gas from these coal-bearing strata. The key to successful multi-reservoir commingled fracturing is the achievement of expected fracture heights. The current challenges include the unclear vertically extended distance and morphologies of fractures, along with great deviations between the predicted and actual fracture heights, significantly affecting the volume of reservoirs for production growth. Methods Based on the in-situ stresses on …

Fracturing Characteristics And Instability Modes Of Deep Primary Coal-Rock Combinations Under Triaxial Compression, Li Chunyuan

Coal Geology & Exploration

[Objective] Deep coal-bearing strata contain primary interfaces and layered composite structures. Under the mining disturbance, the fracturing and instability of the primary composite structures of layered coal-rock combinations prove to be a principal cause of disasters such as water inrushes. [Methods] This study aims to explore the impacts of the structures of deep primary coal-rock combinations on the stability of layered rock masses during coal mining. Using fracturing tests under triaxial compression and CT-based reconstruction conducted in the laboratory, this study determined the fracturing differences between deep primary coal-rock combinations and single coal or rock masses. Based on the analyses …

A Cylindrical Permeation And Diffusion Model For Bingham Grout In Water-Rich Sand Layers And Its Experimental Research, Wang Xuesong, Cheng Hua, Yao Zhishu, Rong Chuanxin, Xie Bao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The disaster prevention and control for water-rich sand layers pose a major challenge to the safe construction of tunnels and deep foundation pits. Typically, the impermeability and bearing capacity of highly water-rich and weakly cemented sand layers are enhanced through permeation grouting via sleeve valve tubes, with resulting grouting concretions being approximately cylindrical. Methods To explore the cylindrical diffusion mechanism of permeation grouting in sand layers, this study constructed a cylindrical diffusion model of radial tube flow for the permeation grouting of Bingham grout in sand layers while considering the tortuosity effects. Subsequently, this study developed a set of …

Artificial Intelligence Logging: Fundamental, Principle, Technique, And Application, Cheng Xi, Ren Zhanli

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Intelligent hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation have become a trend and hot research topic in the oil and gas industry. Artificial intelligence logging (AIL) exhibits considerable potential to address challenges in the explore-exploit of unconventional hydrocarbon resources, as well as resources in complex environments in the deep earth and deep ocean. However, the driving mode, fundamental, implementation principle, structure, and application scenarios of AIL remain understudied. Objective and Methods To build a comprehensive ecology of the AIL system and thoroughly explore and reveal the potential and value of AIL, this study employed methods like literature analysis, theoretical research, technical analysis, …

A Non-Uniform Interpolation Method For Seismic Data Based On A Diffusion Probabilistic Model, Chen Yao, Yu Siwei, Lin Rongzhi

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The non-uniform interpolation of seismic data is identified as a prolonged challenge in energy exploration. Since geophones cannot be precisely placed at positions corresponding to theoretical grid points, current uniform interpolation techniques frequently suffer deviations and detail distortion. Methods This study proposed a novel non-uniform interpolation method based on a diffusion probabilistic model, which is an emerging generative model in deep learning that involves the diffusion and generation processes. In the diffusion process, noise is added to the complete seismic data iteratively to train the denoising capability of the neural network. In the generation process, the neural network is …

A Petrophysical Modeling-Guided Method For Predicting Parameters Of Low-Permeability Reservoirs, Wang Rui, Li Fang, Liu Shiyou, Sun Wanyuan, Li Songling, Huang Sheng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Backgroud Accurately predicting reservoir parameters is significant for characterizing subsurface reservoirs, establishing gas accumulation patterns, releasing production capacity, and understanding fluid migration. The traditional approaches based on core measurement or mathematical-petrophysical modeling are limited by the strong multiplicity of solutions and low accuracy of elastic parameters inversion results, making it difficult to meet the demands of modern exploration.Objective and Methods To more effectively predict reservoir parameters, this study proposed a petrophysical modeling-guided method for predicting parameters of low-permeability reservoirs. With the convolutional neural network (CNN) as a deep learning framework, the proposed method can predict water saturation, clay content, …

Processing Of Impulse Noise In Magnetotelluric Data Based On Bidirectional Recurrent Imputation, Yang Kai, Liu Cheng, Li Han, He Jinglong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Magnetotelluric sounding is an exploration method to obtain the underground electrical structure by observing the natural electromagnetic field, which is easily disturbed by noise. Impulse noise, frequently occurring in magnetotelluric sounding, generally exhibits high amplitude and wide frequency bands, producing significant impacts on the data quality. Methods To suppress such noise, this study proposed a method based on a bidirectional recurrent imputation for time series (BRITS) model. First, the data segments with noise interference were deleted. Second, for the magnetotelluric time series with missing data to be imputed, training sets were constructed for imputation training of the BRITS model. …

Structure Optimization Of Foam Generator For Soft Coal Seam And Foaming Effect Simulation, Jin Xin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The application of air screw drilling technology in gas drainage borehole within soft coal seam presents challenges, including severe dust pollution, low drill bit lifespan, and great difficulty in borehole purification. The use of air screw foam drilling technology is an effective way to solve the problem. A foam generator with good foaming performance is one of the keys to implementing the foam drilling technology. However, most current foam generators could not meet the requirements. Methods In response to this issue, a small-sized foam generator was designed based on the spiral foam generator, with an air kinetic energy conversion …

Periodic Roof Deformation And Failure And Associated Water Inflow Characteristics During The Mining Of Typical Coal Seams In The Inner Mongolia-Shaanxi Contiguous Area, Zhou Zhenfang, Dong Shuning, Dong Yang, Luo Shenghu, Xue Jiankun, Wang Zhizhou, Wang Shuxuan, Shang Hongbo, Wang Tiantian, Wang Yutong, Wang Tong

Coal Geology & Exploration

[Objective] The disturbance of coal mine mining damages the aquifer/aquiclude structures of the overburden, causing concentrated water inflow and further affecting safe production in mines. [Methods] Using methods of the physical simulation of similar materials, numerical simulation, and on-site in situ monitoring, this study investigated the water inflow during the mining of the dominant 3-1 coal seam, typically influenced by water in sandstones on the coal seam roof, in the Inner Mongolia-Shaanxi contiguous area. By comparing the measured data of mines with similar geological and mining conditions in the surrounding area, this study delved into the periodic evolutionary patterns of …