Putzmeister: High density solids pump extinguish subsurface deposit fires

摘要

In the Kosovan open-cast coal pits of Mirash and Bardh, from which 97 percent of the raw materials for generating power for the province of Pristina are produced, the brown coal deposits are slowly diminishing. At an annual output of approximately 6.5 Mill, t, the areas currently used will probably be out of coal by 2011. Further subsurface smouldering fires are reducing the coal deposits. A mobile Putzmeister mixing and pumping plant is fighting against these fires. The brown coal produced in Kosovo is currently only just sufficient to handle the serviceable power station capacities of the region. An increase in mining capacity is not, however, possible due to technical problems with the equipment and due to improper handling of the deposit. The slopes, which are often too steep, and the layer of brown coal burning below the surface damage the deposits and thus destroy important re sources.