Rapid extraction of coal seam gas and intelligent control of parameters based on directional drilling, blasting, and infiltration enhancement

As the importance of gas extraction for coal mine safety and energy recovery grows, overcoming the bottleneck of seepage enhancement in low-permeability, high-gas coal seams has become a critical challenge. To enhance the seepage improvement effect, this study employs the finite discrete element method to simulate the coal seam blasting process, focusing on the arrangement of vertical and horizontal holes. First, the effects of blasting parameters, including uncoupling coefficient, differential time, and pressurization time, on fracture characteristics were examined using orthogonal tests. The results showed that optimizing the blasting parameters—particularly a lower uncoupling coefficient and longer pressurization time—could significantly improve fracture length, porosity, and connectivity, thereby increasing gas extraction efficiency. Subsequently, the effects of different blasting sequences on fracture characteristics are examined. Finally, a comprehensive optimization paradigm—“blasting parameters → fracture network → extraction efficiency”—is proposed by integrating machine learning methods, enabling accurate prediction and collaborative optimization from boundary conditions to fracture characteristics and gas flow rate. After optimization, the gas flow rate increased from 11.91 × 10−3 to 23.63 × 10−3 m3 s−1, demonstrating the significant impact of this optimization scheme in improving coal seam permeability and gas extraction efficiency, with strong potential for engineering applications.