Spontaneous Combustion in Open Cut Coal Mines - RecentAustralian Research

摘要

The control of spontaneous combustion in spoil piles is an area of concernrnfor a number of open cut coal mines. Spontaneous combustion in spoil mayrnoccur when carbonaceous waste materials are exposed to air. In large piles,rnthe relatively high voidage within the pile may allow sufficient movementrnof air through the pile to sustain oxidation and heat generation.rnOver the past decade, ACARP and CSIRO have funded a number ofrnprojects aimed at providing a better understanding of the causes ofrnspontaneous combustion in spoil piles and the development of controlrnstrategies. Work has focused on prevention measures but has alsornconsidered measures available to deal with well-developed fires. Field,rnlaboratory and numerical modelling methods have been brought to bearrnon the issues.rnIndividual projects have addressed:rn?causes of spontaneous combustion including the relative reactivitiesrnof mine waste materials;rn?the use of cover layers to prevent spontaneous combustion;rn?the use of flyash grout to control an active fire;rn?the emissions of air pollutants; andrn?the emission of greenhouse gases.rnThis paper provides a description of the work carried out to date withrnan emphasis on the major findings of the research and its application tornopen cut mines.