Gas control measures taken during deep shaft excavation

Nago, Makito*; Hagihara, Takeshi*; Minamide, Masashi*; Motoshima, Takayuki*; Jin, Kazumi; Kudo, Hajime; Sugita, Yutaka ; Miura, Yoichi*

This paper presents measures against gas emission during deep shaft excavation in the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project (Horonobe URL Project). The gas control measures taken in the Horonobe URL Project include the following: (1) determination of the amount of methane contained in surrounding strata and groundwater, and gas concentration based on preliminary investigations, (2) determination of the specifications of fans, dust collectors, and ducts through ventilation network analysis (simulation), (3) reduction of methane gas emission through the use of waterproofing grout, (4) prohibition on the use of internal-combustion engine and the adoption of explosion-proof equipment, (5) development of methane gas control system, and (6) monitoring of methane gas emission. (3) to (6) described above are performed daily in the safety management activities and described in detail in this paper. The ventilation and eastern access shafts have currently reached a depth of 290 m and 250 m, respectively. The emission of methane gas has been observed to rise 0.3 % to 1.3 % in the fault zone, and it is controlled appropriately according to the gas control measures described above. As the measure to reduce the methane gas concentration, monitoring is confirmed to be effective.