Mining Publication: The Use of Nitrogen-Enhanced Foam at the Pinnacle Mine Fire
Original creation date: June 2005
Authors: AC Smith, TP Mucho, MA Trevits, M Cummins
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20030568
Proceedings of the National Coal Show, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 7-9, 2005. Denver, CO: Mining Media, Inc., 2005 Jun; :1-15
This paper evaluates the effectiveness of remotely applied nitrogen-enhanced foam to aid in efforts to isolate and suppress a mine fire. The foam, in combination with a remotely installed cementitious mine seal and a novel borehole pressure sampling methodology to determine the location of the suspected ignition source, was used to help control ventilation and inert the area surrounding the suspected ignition source by isolating it from oxygen. This allowed mine rescue teams to safely enter the mine, seal the area, and begin recovery operations to successfully return the mine to full production.
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20030568
Proceedings of the National Coal Show, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 7-9, 2005. Denver, CO: Mining Media, Inc., 2005 Jun; :1-15