The history and development of permissible explosives for underground coal mining
The hazards which naturally prevail in underground coal mines, always severe and unpredictable due to the loosely-consolidated strata in which coal is frequently found, are increased by the commonly-occurring combination of coal dust, methane, and explosives. It was recognized by the mid-nineteenth century that coal dust was the basic factor contributing to disastrous explosions killing hundreds of miners, and that the ignition of methane gas was often the source of the coal dust explosions. It was apparent that preventing the ignition of methane was a critical part of avoiding these disasters, and it was also apparent that one cause of such ignitions was the firing of explosives. In addition, it was found that dust explosions were often initiated by blown-out shots of explosives in the absence of methane. Underground coal mining methods of the 19th century are discussed, including the sources of the frequent disastrous explosions. Some accident statistics are noted. The introduction of safety lamps solved part of the problem, but the increased use of explosives to satisfy the need for coal for the industrial revolution led to major disasters. These disasters prompted the development of explosives testing laboratories in various countries in Europe, with the United States following in 1908. The evolution of the US permissibility schedules and the varieties of explosives approved over the past 80 years are discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 433571
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960262--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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