Prediction of longwall methane emissions and the associated consequences of increasing longwall face lengths: a case study in the Pittsburgh coalbed.

Schatzel-SJ; Krog-RB; Garcia-F; Marshall-JK; Trackemas-J

Proceedings of the 11th U.S./North American Mine Ventilation Symposium, University Park, Pennsylvania, June 5-7, 2006. Mutmansky JM, Ramani RV. eds., London, U.K.: Taylor & Francis Group, 2006 Jun; :375-382

20030320

In an effort to increase productivity, many longwall mining operations in the United States have continually increased face lengths. Unfortunately, the mining of larger panels may increase methane emissions. NIOSH conducted a mine safety research study to characterize and quantify the methane emissions resulting from increasing face lengths in the Pittsburgh Coalbed. The goal of this research effort was to provide the mine operator with a method to predict the increase in methane emissions from the longer faces for incorporation of additional methane control capacity into the mine planning process, if necessary. Based on measured methane emission rates of 140 cfm for a 1,032-ft face, projected longwall face methane emission rates were 191 cfm for a 1,200-ft face, 225 cfm for a 1,400-ft face, and 263 cfm for a 1,600-ft face.

Mining-industry; Underground-mining; Coal-mining; Longwall-mining; Safety-research; Ventilation; Air-flow

NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 18070, Pittsburgh, PA 15236

74-82-8

20060605

Conference/Symposia Proceedings

Mutmansky-JM; Ramani-RV

2006

0415401488

PRL

Disease and Injury: Traumatic Injuries

Proceedings of the 11th U.S./North American Mine Ventilation Symposium, University Park, Pennsylvania, June 5-7, 2006

PA; VA