THERMAL SCIENCE
International Scientific Journal
Find this paper on
PREPARATION AND SEALING PERFORMANCE OF INORGANIC SOLIDIFICATION MATERIAL WITH HIGH CONTENT OF COAL GANGUE IN GOAF
ABSTRACT
To address coal spontaneous combustion caused by air leakage in goafs and the limitations of traditional sealing materials, this study developed a high-dosage coal gangue inorganic solidification material (HDCG-ISM) using coal gangue and fly ash. The mix proportion was optimized via orthogonal experiments, and the sealing performance was evaluated using a self-designed apparatus. The optimal mix (85% coal gangue, 20% fly ash, 10% cement, 2% water reducer, 10% activator) achieved a 28-day compressive strength of 1.5 MPa with good stability. The material enhanced loose coal consolidation through physical filling, hydration product bonding, and interfacial chemical bonding. Compared to pure cement, its shrinkage rate was reduced by 21.95%, while specific surface area, pore volume, and average pore diameter decreased by 55.58%, 65.36%, and 22.02%, respectively. At 60 mm thickness, the material provided efficient sealing for 5-30 mm coal particles, reducing the sealing pressure difference by 38.5-66.7%. This study offers a new solution for coal-based solid waste utilization and goaf air leakage control.
KEYWORDS
PAPER SUBMITTED: 2026-03-09
PAPER REVISED: 2026-04-28
PAPER ACCEPTED: 2026-05-04
PUBLISHED ONLINE: 2026-08-07
DOI REFERENCE: https://doi.org/10.2298/TSCI260309155D
[1] Wang, D.M., et al., Several scientific issues on major thermodynamic disasters in coal mines, Journal of China Coal Society, 46(2021), 01, pp. 57-64
[2] Qin, B.T., et al., Experimental studies on preparation of multi-phase foamed gel for preventing spontaneous combustion of coal, Journal of Central South University (Science and Technology), (in Chinese), 44(2013), 11, pp. 4652-4657
[3] Liu, L., et al., Key technologies for preparation and multi scene utilization of multi-source solid waste based carbon fixation mining materials, Journal of China Coal Society, (in Chinese), 50(2025), 01, pp. 1203-1222
[4] Zhang, X., et al., The influence of coal gangue dosage and concentration on the properties and hydration mechanism of fly ash-based cemented filling materials, Journal of Cleaner Production, 492(2025), 10, pp. 144903
[5] Zhao, Y., et al., Heat transfer characteristics of external finned backfill coupled heat exchanger in mine, Geothermics, 119(2024), pp. 102953
[6] Liu, R., Wang. S., Research progress on the comprehensive utilization of coal gangue, International Journal of Coal Preparation and Utilization, 46(2026), 02, pp. 591-605
[7] Zhu, T., et al., Current situation and progress of coal gangue resource utilization, Coal Science and Technology, (in Chinese), 52(2024), 01, pp. 380-390
[8] Lei, B., et al., Coal mine solid waste backfill process in China: current status and challenges, Sustainability, 15(2023), 18, pp. 13489
[9] Yin, H., et al., Multiscale study on the compressive performance of diverse solid waste backfill bodies, Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources, 11(2025), 09, pp. 1-23
[10] Ni, T.Y., et al., Chemical activation of pozzolanic activity of sludge incineration ash and application as row bonding materials for pervious ecological brick, Construction and Building Materials, 329(2022), 08, pp. 127199
[11] Sapelkina, T.V., Kara-sal, B.K., Composition and properties of coal mine overburden in Tuva: areas of application, Journal of Mining Science, 59(2023), 01, pp. 176-182
[12] Liang, Z.L., et al., Preparation and fire extinguishing mechanism of novel fire extinguishing powder based on recyclable struvite, Materials Today Communications, 34(2023), 15, pp. 105410
[13] Ma, L., et al., Preparation and characteristics of inorganic curing foam with large-volume fly ash in goaf, Coal Geology & Exploration, (in Chinese), 51(2023), 02, pp. 243−251
[14] Zhang, X.H., et al., Study on properties of a new type of inorganic solidified foam extinguishing material for mine, Safety in Coal Mines, (in Chinese), 52(2021), 01, pp. 58−63
[15] Deng, J., et al., Thermal analysis of spontaneous combustion behavior of partially oxidized coal, Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 104(2016), pp. 218-224
[16] Zhou, L.B., et al., Study on preparation, working performance and microstructure of coal mine filling material with large amount of fly ash, Journal of China Coal Society, (in Chinese), 48(2023), 12, pp. 4536−4548
[17] Zhang, J.J., et al., Mechanism of action of coal gangue powder stabilized by ionic stabilizer, Journal of China Coal Society, (in Chinese), 47(2022), 11, pp. 2446−2454
[18] Ying, X.J., et al., Recycled glass concrete with cementitious materials: Study of mechanical prediction model and dry shrinkage mechanism, Construction and Building Materials, 438(2024), 09, pp. 137159−137159
[19] Luo, X., et al., Hydration and microstructure evolution of recycled clay brick powder-cement composite cementitious materials, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 147(2022), 20, pp. 10977−10989
[20] Rashad, A.M., et al., Valorization of quartz powder for drying shrinkage and carbonation resistance of alkali-activated slag cement, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(2022), 30, pp. 45191−45203
[21] Chen, W.W., et al., Impact of heat curing regime on the compressive strength and drying shrinkage of alkali-activated slag mortar, Developments in the Built Environment, 14(2023), 12, pp. 123−126
[22] Li, H., et al., Effect of coal gangue grading characteristics on cemented paste backfill rheology, Case Studies in Construction Materials, 21(2024), 01, pp. e03694
[23] Wu, J.Y., et al., Particle size distribution of aggregate effects on mechanical and structural properties of cemented rockfill: Experiments and modeling, Construction and Building Materials, 193(2018), 10, pp. 295−311
[24] Wang, L., et al., Hydration, shrinkage, pore structure and fractal dimension of silica fume modified low heat Portland cement-based materials, Construction and Building Materials, 272(2021), 01, pp. 121952
[25] Zhang, X.K., et al., Research on hydration characteristics of OSR-GGBFS-FA alkali-activated materials, Construction and Building Materials, 411(2024), 05, pp. 134321
[26] Feng, J.W., et al., Review of the backfill materials in Chinese underground coal mining, Minerals, 13(2023), 04, pp. 473
[27] He, X.Q., et al., FTIR and Raman spectroscopy characterization of functional groups in various rank coals, Fuel, 206(2017), 15, pp. 555−563
[28] Liu, S.M., et al., Thermally stable fly ash-based inorganic foam for fire and air leakage prevention in coal mines, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 14(2025), 01, pp. 120836
[29] Han, Y.M., et al., Mechanical force/chloride triggered microcapsules reboot geopolymer durability: Interfacial bond networks driving self-healing under salt-dry-wet cycles, Construction and Building Materials, 510(2026), 02, pp. 145278
[30] Li, H.B., et al., Characterization and mechanism study of sulfate saline soil solidification in seasonal frozen regions using ternary solid waste-cement synergy, Construction and Building Materials, 427(2024), 10, pp. 136263
[31] Liu, L., et al., Study on properties and soil solidification mechanism of alkali-activated cementitious materials, Materials Today Communications, 37(2023), 03, pp. 107556
© 2026 Society of Thermal Engineers of Serbia. Published by the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence


