Mine Fires, Experiences in Extinguishing Large Underground Mine Fires

Safer Demirović; Jelena Marković

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11

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Mine Fires, Experiences in Extinguishing Large Underground Mine Fires

Safer Demirović^*

, Jelena Marković

Published in International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering (Volume 12, Issue 2)

Received: 28 February 2024 Accepted: 20 March 2024 Published: 2 April 2024

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Abstract

Mine fires are common the underground exploitation of mineral raw materials. With the development of mining science and practice, the methods of extinguishing mine fires using new methods and materials were also developed. Today, in mining practice, direct fire extinguishing with water or fire extinguishers, isolation of oxidation zones with insulating walls, installation of torket concrete on the walls of the pit room or use of special foams are most often used. Methods based on ventilation methods or the use of inert gases can also be encountered. All these methods are used to extinguish local oxidation processes, fires are localized in a part of the pit, ventilation department or goafs. This paper presents methods of extinguishing a mine fire where the fire zone covered a larger area and it was not possible to localize it in one part of the underground mine, the pit is completely closed and isolated until the oxidation process subsides due to lack of oxygen. At the time of the complete closure and isolation of the pit, several gas detectors remained in operation in the pit, through which the change in the composition of the pit air could be monitored during the still active pit fire. At the same time, samples of the pit atmosphere behind the isolation walls were regularly taken, their analysis was performed and they were compared with the data obtained using active gas detectors. The key question was when to reopen the pit, conduct an inspection and try to reactivate the pit operations. Although it is an underground brown coal mine, some experiences and knowledge can be applied and used in underground mines of other mineral resources threatened by pit fires. Experiences can also be applied in case of fire, where it is possible to control the fire zone only through insulating walls. It was established that changes in the activity of the pit fire were manifested both on the insulation walls and on the active gas detectors.

Published in	International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering (Volume 12, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11
Page(s)	46-56
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Mine Fire, Monitoring, Extinguishing Methods, Reopen Pit

References

[1]	M. J. McPherson: “Subsurface ventilation and environmental engineering”, Cambridge 1993.
[2]	V. Jovičić: “Mine ventilation”, Belgrade, 1989.
[3]	E. Teply: “Mine ventilation”, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum, Zagreb 1990.
[4]	H. Uljić and others: “Safety and technical protection in mining”, Tuzla 1987.
[5]	J. Marković and others: “Theory of burning and explosion”, Tuzla 2010.
[6]	S. Delić: “Mine fires”, Tuzla 2019.
[7]	J. Marković, S. Mićević: “Fires in coal mines”, University of Tuzla, Tuzla 2005.
[8]	S. Demirović: “Optimal difference of the potential of insulation walls”, RGGF Tuzla, Proceedings XXXIV, Tuzla 2007, 47-52.
[9]	S. Demirović, S. Gutić: “Relation a hollows potential and potential a mine breast”, 21st WORLD MINING CONGRESS, Proceedings Krakow, Poland 2008.
[10]	S. K. Ray and other: “Fighting mine fires using gases with particular reference to nitrogen”, The Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 2000, 265-271.
[11]	AC Smith and other: “The use of nitrogen-enhanced foam ot the Pinnacle mine fire”, NIOSH 2005, 1-15.
[12]	R. Morris “A review of experiences on the use of inert gases in mine fires”, Mining science and tehnology 1987, 37-69.
[13]	A. Adamus: “Review of the use of nitrogen in mine fires”, Mining technology 2013, 89-98, https://doi.org/10.1179/mnt.2002.111.2.89
[14]	Wei Lu and other: “Method for prevention and control of spontaneous combustion of coal seam and its application in mining field”, International jurnal of mining science and technology 2017, 839-846, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2017.07.018
[15]	S. Demirović: “Some aspects of work in mines of FBiH threatened by methane”, RGGF Tuzla, Proceedings XXXVI, Tuzla 2012, 177-180.
[16]	S. Demirović: Relation atmospheric pressure and magnitude eduction of methan”, 3th Balkan mining congres Izmir, Turkey 2009.
[17]	N. Sahay and others: Dealing with open fire in an underground coal mine by ventilation control techniques”, Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 2014.

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APA Style

Demirović, S., Marković, J. (2024). Mine Fires, Experiences in Extinguishing Large Underground Mine Fires. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering, 12(2), 46-56. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11

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ACS Style

Demirović, S.; Marković, J. Mine Fires, Experiences in Extinguishing Large Underground Mine Fires. Int. J. Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2024, 12(2), 46-56. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11

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AMA Style

Demirović S, Marković J. Mine Fires, Experiences in Extinguishing Large Underground Mine Fires. Int J Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2024;12(2):46-56. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11,
  author = {Safer Demirović and Jelena Marković},
  title = {Mine Fires, Experiences in Extinguishing Large Underground Mine Fires
},
  journal = {International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering},
  volume = {12},
  number = {2},
  pages = {46-56},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ogce.20241202.11},
  abstract = {Mine fires are common the underground exploitation of mineral raw materials. With the development of mining science and practice, the methods of extinguishing mine fires using new methods and materials were also developed. Today, in mining practice, direct fire extinguishing with water or fire extinguishers, isolation of oxidation zones with insulating walls, installation of torket concrete on the walls of the pit room or use of special foams are most often used. Methods based on ventilation methods or the use of inert gases can also be encountered. All these methods are used to extinguish local oxidation processes, fires are localized in a part of the pit, ventilation department or goafs. This paper presents methods of extinguishing a mine fire where the fire zone covered a larger area and it was not possible to localize it in one part of the underground mine, the pit is completely closed and isolated until the oxidation process subsides due to lack of oxygen. At the time of the complete closure and isolation of the pit, several gas detectors remained in operation in the pit, through which the change in the composition of the pit air could be monitored during the still active pit fire. At the same time, samples of the pit atmosphere behind the isolation walls were regularly taken, their analysis was performed and they were compared with the data obtained using active gas detectors. The key question was when to reopen the pit, conduct an inspection and try to reactivate the pit operations. Although it is an underground brown coal mine, some experiences and knowledge can be applied and used in underground mines of other mineral resources threatened by pit fires. Experiences can also be applied in case of fire, where it is possible to control the fire zone only through insulating walls. It was established that changes in the activity of the pit fire were manifested both on the insulation walls and on the active gas detectors.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Mine Fires, Experiences in Extinguishing Large Underground Mine Fires

AU  - Safer Demirović
AU  - Jelena Marković
Y1  - 2024/04/02
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11
T2  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JF  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JO  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
SP  - 46
EP  - 56
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7677
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11
AB  - Mine fires are common the underground exploitation of mineral raw materials. With the development of mining science and practice, the methods of extinguishing mine fires using new methods and materials were also developed. Today, in mining practice, direct fire extinguishing with water or fire extinguishers, isolation of oxidation zones with insulating walls, installation of torket concrete on the walls of the pit room or use of special foams are most often used. Methods based on ventilation methods or the use of inert gases can also be encountered. All these methods are used to extinguish local oxidation processes, fires are localized in a part of the pit, ventilation department or goafs. This paper presents methods of extinguishing a mine fire where the fire zone covered a larger area and it was not possible to localize it in one part of the underground mine, the pit is completely closed and isolated until the oxidation process subsides due to lack of oxygen. At the time of the complete closure and isolation of the pit, several gas detectors remained in operation in the pit, through which the change in the composition of the pit air could be monitored during the still active pit fire. At the same time, samples of the pit atmosphere behind the isolation walls were regularly taken, their analysis was performed and they were compared with the data obtained using active gas detectors. The key question was when to reopen the pit, conduct an inspection and try to reactivate the pit operations. Although it is an underground brown coal mine, some experiences and knowledge can be applied and used in underground mines of other mineral resources threatened by pit fires. Experiences can also be applied in case of fire, where it is possible to control the fire zone only through insulating walls. It was established that changes in the activity of the pit fire were manifested both on the insulation walls and on the active gas detectors.

VL  - 12
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Safer Demirović

RMU “Banovići” d.d. Banovići, Banovići, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0001-6353-1111
Jelena Marković

Faculty of Mining, Geology and Civil Engineering, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Contact Email

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APA Style

Demirović, S., Marković, J. (2024). Mine Fires, Experiences in Extinguishing Large Underground Mine Fires. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering, 12(2), 46-56. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11

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ACS Style

Demirović, S.; Marković, J. Mine Fires, Experiences in Extinguishing Large Underground Mine Fires. Int. J. Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2024, 12(2), 46-56. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11

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AMA Style

Demirović S, Marković J. Mine Fires, Experiences in Extinguishing Large Underground Mine Fires. Int J Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2024;12(2):46-56. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11,
  author = {Safer Demirović and Jelena Marković},
  title = {Mine Fires, Experiences in Extinguishing Large Underground Mine Fires
},
  journal = {International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering},
  volume = {12},
  number = {2},
  pages = {46-56},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ogce.20241202.11},
  abstract = {Mine fires are common the underground exploitation of mineral raw materials. With the development of mining science and practice, the methods of extinguishing mine fires using new methods and materials were also developed. Today, in mining practice, direct fire extinguishing with water or fire extinguishers, isolation of oxidation zones with insulating walls, installation of torket concrete on the walls of the pit room or use of special foams are most often used. Methods based on ventilation methods or the use of inert gases can also be encountered. All these methods are used to extinguish local oxidation processes, fires are localized in a part of the pit, ventilation department or goafs. This paper presents methods of extinguishing a mine fire where the fire zone covered a larger area and it was not possible to localize it in one part of the underground mine, the pit is completely closed and isolated until the oxidation process subsides due to lack of oxygen. At the time of the complete closure and isolation of the pit, several gas detectors remained in operation in the pit, through which the change in the composition of the pit air could be monitored during the still active pit fire. At the same time, samples of the pit atmosphere behind the isolation walls were regularly taken, their analysis was performed and they were compared with the data obtained using active gas detectors. The key question was when to reopen the pit, conduct an inspection and try to reactivate the pit operations. Although it is an underground brown coal mine, some experiences and knowledge can be applied and used in underground mines of other mineral resources threatened by pit fires. Experiences can also be applied in case of fire, where it is possible to control the fire zone only through insulating walls. It was established that changes in the activity of the pit fire were manifested both on the insulation walls and on the active gas detectors.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Mine Fires, Experiences in Extinguishing Large Underground Mine Fires

AU  - Safer Demirović
AU  - Jelena Marković
Y1  - 2024/04/02
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11
T2  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JF  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JO  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
SP  - 46
EP  - 56
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7677
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241202.11
AB  - Mine fires are common the underground exploitation of mineral raw materials. With the development of mining science and practice, the methods of extinguishing mine fires using new methods and materials were also developed. Today, in mining practice, direct fire extinguishing with water or fire extinguishers, isolation of oxidation zones with insulating walls, installation of torket concrete on the walls of the pit room or use of special foams are most often used. Methods based on ventilation methods or the use of inert gases can also be encountered. All these methods are used to extinguish local oxidation processes, fires are localized in a part of the pit, ventilation department or goafs. This paper presents methods of extinguishing a mine fire where the fire zone covered a larger area and it was not possible to localize it in one part of the underground mine, the pit is completely closed and isolated until the oxidation process subsides due to lack of oxygen. At the time of the complete closure and isolation of the pit, several gas detectors remained in operation in the pit, through which the change in the composition of the pit air could be monitored during the still active pit fire. At the same time, samples of the pit atmosphere behind the isolation walls were regularly taken, their analysis was performed and they were compared with the data obtained using active gas detectors. The key question was when to reopen the pit, conduct an inspection and try to reactivate the pit operations. Although it is an underground brown coal mine, some experiences and knowledge can be applied and used in underground mines of other mineral resources threatened by pit fires. Experiences can also be applied in case of fire, where it is possible to control the fire zone only through insulating walls. It was established that changes in the activity of the pit fire were manifested both on the insulation walls and on the active gas detectors.

VL  - 12
IS  - 2
ER  -

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