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| Complete closure of a mine void using improved remote sealing technology |
Background
Since 2000, 18 underground coal mine fires have been reported in the United States. On average, three mine fires have occurred each year, and from 2000 to the present, a maximum of five mine fires have occurred in a 1-year period. It is thought that remotely constructed mine seals could have been used in over 60% of the fires as a safer means to control the fire and reduce hazards to mine emergency responders.
The direct approach to fighting and sealing off a mine fire places miners in proximity to the fire and exposes them to deadly hazards such as toxic combustion gases, heat, and deteriorating mine roof conditions. To reduce this exposure, an indirect approach of sealing and isolating the atmosphere or flooding the fire area is preferred.
Where safe underground access is impossible, fire seals must be constructed remotely. However, remote sealing often fails to close off the mine entry adequately. In this situation, the seals do not provide effective barriers to airflow or cannot be used to impound water. This research will improve the state of the art for construction of reliable and effective mine seals through engineering design and full-scale testing at the Lake Lynn Experimental Mine. A technology transfer program will disseminate research results to the mining industry.
Potential Outcome
By 2007, several remote-sealing alternatives will be available for mine fire emergencies. The successful use of these technologies will lead to efficient mine fire management and will reduce exposure of miners and mine rescue workers to the hazards of firefighting and rescue operations. If miners are trapped or barricaded inside a mine during a fire, remote sealing can provide an effective way to isolate them from the fire zone, improving their chances for survival and rescue.