On the causes of fires and accidents in coal mines
Dynamic phenomena in coal mines, which occur during the extraction of hard coal, are among the most dangerous hazards in the mining industry, often leading to accidents and loss of life. This article examines and analyzes current views on the causes of these dynamic phenomena from the perspective o...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Ukrainian Geological Company (UGC)
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Мінеральні ресурси України |
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| Online Access: | https://mru-journal.com.ua/index.php/mru/article/view/424 |
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| author | Yu. I. Voitenko S. V. Goshovskyi S. V. Zaichenko |
| author_facet | Yu. I. Voitenko S. V. Goshovskyi S. V. Zaichenko |
| author_sort | Yu. I. Voitenko |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Dynamic phenomena in coal mines, which occur during the extraction of hard coal, are among the most dangerous hazards in the mining industry, often leading to accidents and loss of life.
This article examines and analyzes current views on the causes of these dynamic phenomena from the perspective of the physics of combustion and gas or aerosol explosions. The primary focus is on the mechanisms and key parameters behind gas cloud and jet fires and explosions. It is highlighted that the ignition of gas mixtures is typically triggered by the energy from a “cold spark”, often of human origin. The sequence of ignition generally begins with hydrogen or acetylene, followed by ethylene and methane, with the process evolving into combustion acceleration and potentially transitioning into an explosion or detonation.
The article also emphasizes the impact of external climatic factors on the natural degassing of coal seams. It is noted that intense rainfall at above-freezing temperatures, or a drop in temperature below freezing, can reduce the rate of degassing due to decreased soil permeability. This reduced permeability can lead to an increased concentration of combustible gases in mine workings. Freezing reduces permeability by expanding water in the soil as it transitions to ice, while in the summer, heavy rainfall can raise capillary height, increasing resistance to gas movement. Both situations elevate the risk of gas accumulations or jets igniting, especially in mines prone to gas-dynamic hazards.
Specific examples and accidents demonstrate a correlation between temperature fluctuations, precipitation intensity, and the occurrence of accidents, underscoring the role of environmental factors in mine safety. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-859c9a0ab6974063a9cdae8d7bee077b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1682-721X 2707-8698 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Ukrainian Geological Company (UGC) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Мінеральні ресурси України |
| spelling | doaj-art-859c9a0ab6974063a9cdae8d7bee077b2025-08-20T02:48:42ZengUkrainian Geological Company (UGC)Мінеральні ресурси України1682-721X2707-86982025-03-0117075https://doi.org/10.31996/mru.2025.1.70-75On the causes of fires and accidents in coal minesYu. I. Voitenko0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3077-2207S. V. Goshovskyi1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8312-6244S. V. Zaichenko2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8446-5408Institute of Hydromechanics of NAS of UkraineScientific Hydrophysical Center of NAS of UkraineIgor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”Dynamic phenomena in coal mines, which occur during the extraction of hard coal, are among the most dangerous hazards in the mining industry, often leading to accidents and loss of life. This article examines and analyzes current views on the causes of these dynamic phenomena from the perspective of the physics of combustion and gas or aerosol explosions. The primary focus is on the mechanisms and key parameters behind gas cloud and jet fires and explosions. It is highlighted that the ignition of gas mixtures is typically triggered by the energy from a “cold spark”, often of human origin. The sequence of ignition generally begins with hydrogen or acetylene, followed by ethylene and methane, with the process evolving into combustion acceleration and potentially transitioning into an explosion or detonation. The article also emphasizes the impact of external climatic factors on the natural degassing of coal seams. It is noted that intense rainfall at above-freezing temperatures, or a drop in temperature below freezing, can reduce the rate of degassing due to decreased soil permeability. This reduced permeability can lead to an increased concentration of combustible gases in mine workings. Freezing reduces permeability by expanding water in the soil as it transitions to ice, while in the summer, heavy rainfall can raise capillary height, increasing resistance to gas movement. Both situations elevate the risk of gas accumulations or jets igniting, especially in mines prone to gas-dynamic hazards. Specific examples and accidents demonstrate a correlation between temperature fluctuations, precipitation intensity, and the occurrence of accidents, underscoring the role of environmental factors in mine safety.https://mru-journal.com.ua/index.php/mru/article/view/424gas-dynamic processesminesaccidentshydrogencombustionexplosion |
| spellingShingle | Yu. I. Voitenko S. V. Goshovskyi S. V. Zaichenko On the causes of fires and accidents in coal mines Мінеральні ресурси України gas-dynamic processes mines accidents hydrogen combustion explosion |
| title | On the causes of fires and accidents in coal mines |
| title_full | On the causes of fires and accidents in coal mines |
| title_fullStr | On the causes of fires and accidents in coal mines |
| title_full_unstemmed | On the causes of fires and accidents in coal mines |
| title_short | On the causes of fires and accidents in coal mines |
| title_sort | on the causes of fires and accidents in coal mines |
| topic | gas-dynamic processes mines accidents hydrogen combustion explosion |
| url | https://mru-journal.com.ua/index.php/mru/article/view/424 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yuivoitenko onthecausesoffiresandaccidentsincoalmines AT svgoshovskyi onthecausesoffiresandaccidentsincoalmines AT svzaichenko onthecausesoffiresandaccidentsincoalmines |