Gel sealants for the mitigation of spontaneous heatings in coal mines. Report of investigations/1995

Technical Report · Sun Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:189869

Miron, Y

The U.S. Bureau of Mines evaluated three sealant systems for this purpose, bentonite-water mixtures, silicate gel, and guar gum gels. The guar gum-based gel was the only sealant that possessed the desired properties of elasticity, ease of preparation, adaptability to the mine, and a long life. In addition, since the gel consists mostly of water, it could quench or cool nearby heatings. Optimal formulations were determined in laboratory tests, and then tested in the U.S. Bureau of Mines` Safety Research Coal Mine. Two formulations resulted in stable gels that lasted for at least 12 months in the mine. Semi-continuous preparation of gel using an eductor was evaluated and appears feasible.

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA (United States). Pittsburgh Research Center
• OSTI ID: 189869
• Report Number(s): PB-96-131966/XAB; BUMINES-RI-9585; TRN: 60362874
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: 1995
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
GELS
USES
COAL MINES
HEAT TRANSFER
SILICATES