Flooding management for underground coal mines considering regional mining networks (Flominet) : final report

The Boxmodel has been enhanced for innovative processes like coupled gaswater flow, energy production, turbulent flow and heat transport. Coupling of mine water and surface water models allows now for examination of closed water balances. All site models have been supplied with the required functionalities. The model calculations have been used for prognosis calculations and planning. An Optimisation software tool has been developed and the programming includes data exchange with the site-Boxmodels. Therefore the impact of strategic options of mine water management on costs and environment can be better predicted an evaluated. It has to be highlighted the realisation of the geothermal pilot project by the Spanish partners. This activity adds a new example for use of mine water for production of renewable energy in Europe. Feasibility checks show however that in spite of general cost benefits of the recoverable mine-related energy sources site specific development costs might compensate the cost advantage. Model calculations for hydrothermal energy use have proved the importance of correct design of the hydrothermal regime for stable temperature conditions. The laboratory experiments on gas sorption on coal have provided coal specific data which can be used for gas transport calculation in the flooded mine now. The gas transport model has been developed for small scale realistic settings and is under preparation for a larger scale. Therefore two models describing the gas history starting with active mining, flooding up to the after flooding phase are available now.