Performance of Fire Extinguishing Gel with Strong Stability for Coal Mine

Abstract

ABSTRACT The spontaneous combustion of coal is one of the main disasters affecting safe production. In order to prevent and extinguish mine fires more efficiently, a new type of fire-suppression polymer gel with strong stability has been developed. The optimal formula was determined by testing the gelation time of different ratios of gel components. The measurement of water retention rate, viscosity and permeability of the gel were also carried out to verify the thermal stability and flowability. The effect of gel on the suppression of CO emission during coal oxidation was tested by the temperature-programming experiments. By the thermogravimetric experiments, the influence of gel on coal activation energy was calculated based on the ignition activation energy theory. FTIR was also introduced to analyze the effect of gel on active groups of coal during coal oxidation. Furthermore, the extinguishing mechanism of the gel was analyzed from forming characteristics. It is proven that the strong stable gel is an excellent fire extinguishing material with the advantages of controllable glue time, good water retention and the obvious effects of sealing.