Abstract
To safely mine coal, engineers must prevent gas combustion and explosions, as well as seek feasible and reasonable techniques to control for these types of incidents. This paper analyzes the causes and characteristics of methane combustion and explosions. Water mist is proposed to prevent and control methane combustion in an underground confined space. We constructed an experiment platform to investigate the suppression of methane combustion using water mist for different conditions. The experimental results showed that water mist is highly effective for methane flame inhibition. The flame was extinguished with water mist endothermic cooling. However, the annular regions of water vapor around the fire played a vital role in flame extinction. Water from the evaporating mist replaces the oxygen available to the fuel. Additionally, the time required for fuel ignition is prolonged. For these reasons, the water particle action to flame surface is reinforced and the fuel’s reaction with air is delayed. As a result, flame stretching and disturbances occur, which serve to extinguish the flame. Engineering application tests were carried out in the goaf, drill hole and upper-corner to investigate the prevention and control of methane gas combustion, with the results showing a good application effect.
Highlights
The economy of China has developed rapidly, and the demand for coal is increasing the intensity of coal mining
This paper describes experiments and theoretical analyses regarding the have performed experimental research and have suggested that ignition sources include spontaneous use of water mist to control methane gas combustion in the goaf, drill hole and upper-corner
The process of using water mist to suppress fires through changes in temperature, pressure, oxygen, and flame structure was investigated under different conditions, with the results applied in the goaf, drilling and the upper-corner to prevent and control methane gas combustion
Summary
The economy of China has developed rapidly, and the demand for coal is increasing the intensity of coal mining This leads to accidents during coal mining, especially gas related disasters. Gas is contained in coal seams, and its main composition is methane. Gas combustion accidents have occurred frequently, partially due to a lack of prediction and control technology. On 12 April 2011, a third underground roadway experienced a gas combustion accident in the Zhengxin Mining Industry Development Co. On 8 May 2010, an accident resulting from methane combustion in the Well Bay Coal Mine in Hubei left 10 people dead. These methane combustion accidents taking place in the mining face, drill hole and upper-corner have caused a large number of casualties and significant economic. On [12,13]
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