Prevention and control of fires and explosions in undergaround coal mines

An extensive research program has been undertaken over recent years to reduce the risk of fi res

and explosions in underground coal mines. The research projects have integrated extensive fi eld

studies and computational fl uid dynamics (CFD) models of goaf gas fl ow behaviour to develop

optimum proactive strategies to prevent and control spontaneous combustion and fi res in

goaf areas. The research has developed a fundamental understanding of the air and gas fl ow

behaviour in goaf areas and provided a detailed understanding of the eff ects of various geological,

ventilation, operational and inertisation design parameters on goaf gas distribution. The research

investigations have also provided a bett er understanding of the fl ow behaviour of gases from

the heating in the goaf areas and the eff ect of various gas and spontaneous combustion control

technologies and strategies. Field studies conducted at a number of underground coal mines have

shown that the proactive strategies were successful in reducing oxygen ingress into the goaf areas

and in reducing the risk of fi res and explosions in the underground coal mines. The results of

various research investigations and guidelines for reducing the risk of fi res and explosions in

underground coal mines are presented in this paper.