Recent progress of coal seam water injection technology for dust prevention: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Coal seam water injection constitutes a fundamental measure for ensuring safe and efficient coal mine production, preventing pneumoconiosis hazards, and protecting the environment. However, systematic reviews integrating its dust reduction theories and technologies remain scarce. This paper reviews the foundational theories and technological advancements in coal seam water injection for dust control, revealing the regulatory mechanisms of dust reduction through coal’s seepage-wetting behavior from dual perspectives of the internal structural features of coal and the evolving stress-water pressure environment. Additionally, it evaluates the technologies for modifying coal’s physical properties and technologies for injected fluids modification. Finally, it identifies the challenges faced by coal seam water injection technology and proposes future research directions. Our review found that pore-fracture network connectivity governs water transport pathways, while dynamic equilibrium between interfacial tension and chemical group interactions determines wetting efficiency at the microscopic level. Macroscopically, hydro-mechanical coupling effects induce multi-stage fracture network evolution through stress redistribution, forming multi-level interconnected topological structures that significantly enhance wetting homogeneity. From a technological perspective, this study establishes a geology-adaptive technical framework based on coal seam characteristics and physicochemical parameter compatibility. The review promotes the transition of water injection technologies from experience-driven “extensive pressurization” to data-driven “precision wetting,” providing a theoretical foundation for developing safe, green, intelligent, and source-controlled dust reduction technologies.