Development of Retardants to Control Fire in Opencast Coal Mines

摘要

The paper presents the results of an ongoing research project on the effect of some additives to inhibit the spontaneous heating susceptibility of some highly susceptible Indian coal seams. In this investigation 11 additives were chosen and were applied to four coal samples at 3 percent, 5 percent and 10 percent of their concentrations in aqueous solution. The susceptibility of coal samples after application of these additives was determined by carrying out crossing point temperature analysis. In addition, these treated coal samples were also tested for their proneness to spontaneous heating by wet oxidation potential difference method. The findings of this study indicate that it is possible to retard the tendency of spontaneous heating of Indian coal to a considerable extent by application of suitable additives. The results of this research work will have direct application to control fire, to improve production, productivity and safety in coal mines.