NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Ignition of methane-air mixtures by laser heated small particles.

Dubaniewicz T; Cashdollar K; Green G; Chaiken R

J Loss Prev Process Ind 2000 May; 13(3-5):349-359

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0950-4230(99)00042-X

20022694

Optical technologies have progressed rapidly in the past 15 years. One application of laser technology in underground coal mines currently under evaluation is the remote measurement of explosive methane gas. Federal regulations require that atmospheric monitoring systems used in gassy underground mines where permissible equipment is required shall be intrinsically safe. Mine Safety and Health Administration criteria for the evaluation and test of intrinsically safe apparatus and associated apparatus contain no specific guidance for optoelectronic components such as diode lasers. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is conducting a study to help provide a scientific basis for developing appropriate safety guidelines for optical equipment in underground coal mines. Results of experiments involving ignition of methane-air mixtures by collections of small heated particles of Pittsburgh seam coal and black iron oxide are reported. The inert but more strongly absorbing iron oxide targets consistently ignited methane-air mixtures at lower powers than the coal targets. Minimum observed igniting powers for laser energy delivered by 200, 400 and 800 um core fiber opticcables and directed onto iron oxide targets in methane-air atmospheres were 0.6, 1.1, and 2.2 W, respectively. Comparisons to results of other researchers are made. A thermal layer theoretical approach to describing the process is included as an appendix.

Hazards; Lasers; Methanes; Coal-mining; Optics; Iron-oxides; Underground-mining; Author Keywords: Hazardous locations; Laser; Methane

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, P.O. 18070, Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0070

JLPIE9

20000501

Journal Article

tcd5@cdc.gov

2000

3-5

0950-4230

PRL

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

PA