|
| Smoke reversal from a mine fire experiment |
Background
Mine fires continue to be a major hazard in the coal mining industry. Between 1990 and 1999, 152 fires - 87 underground and 65 on the surface - were reported at underground coal mines. These fires resulted in one death and 47 injuries. During the same period, 51 underground fires (nine injuries) were reported in noncoal mines. Although the number of fires and injuries is relatively low, fires that break out in confined spaces have potentially catastrophic consequences.
The dynamics of a mine fire - its initiation and growth and its interaction with ventilation, smoke movement, and the effectiveness of fire control methods - are not well understood.
Smoke reversal in a mine entry can pose hazardous consequences for mine evacuation and miner rescue. Inhalation of toxic fire-generated combustion products can be injurious or fatal to miners. The low visibility associated with smoke impedes safe miner escape and rescue. Smoke reversal in a mine entry is complicated by connections (open crosscuts and leakage paths) between the entry and other entries. The smoke layer that accumulates near the roof can migrate into parallel airways, depending on air velocity and the amount of leakage.
An important aspect of controlling a mine fire is to understand how rapidly a fire might spread. Using computational methods, it is possible to model fire spread in a mine entry by paying particular attention to entry dimensions, ventilation air velocity, fuel combustion properties, and char formation processes. This information can be used to develop ventilation control measures to retard or prevent fire spread.
Potential Outcome
By 2008, this research will result in a mine fire simulator that, in response to fire sensor data entered in real time, can determine appropriate smoke management methods and recommend safe escape routes for miners. Using the mine fire simulator in combination with commercially available atmospheric mine monitoring systems will enable mine operators to better plan and execute mine rescue and recovery activities, enhancing safety for escaping miners and mine rescue workers.