Defeat the dragon: coal fires between self ignition and fire fighting
Spontaneous coal fires in near surface coal seams are a worldwide recognized problem. They are destroying coal resources and emit climate relevant gases both in considerable amounts. While the extinction of such fires is a most desirable goal, the estimation of the actual input of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is of great interest especially in the context of the Kyoto protocol as such values are needed as baseline for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) policies. Under the framework of the Sino-German coal-fire research project we are developing numerical models of such coal fires for the operational use in fire fighting campaigns. Based on our understanding of the governing physical and chemical processes that are relevant for the whole combustion process we simulate the coal fire spreading along the seams for typical situations. From these scenario calculations we deduce information needed to support the CDM baseline estimation and to assess the progress of fire extinguishing efforts like water injection and surface covering to dissipate the heat and suffocate the fire. We present case studies using the finite-element-code ROCKFLOW applied to realistic geometries based on field observations in the Shenhua Group Coal Mining Area Wuda (Inner Mongolia, PR China).
- OSTI ID:
- 21149661
- Journal Information:
- Proceedings of Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems, Vol. 20, Issue 1; Conference: 20. symposium on the application of geophysics to engineering and environmental problems, Denver, CO (USA), 1-5 Apr 2007; ISSN 1554-8015
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) approved mine rescue - training module (coal): fires, fire fighting, and explosions. Mine rescue team series
Study of mine fire fighting using inert gases. Research report, 4 Jun 1973--24 Dec 1974