Solution of problems connected with high spontaneous combustion susceptibility of oxidative altered bituminous coals

 

Authors: Taraba B, Martinec P, Dopita M, Klika Z

Published in: Bulletin of Geosciences, volume 74, issue 2; pages: 163 - 168;

Keywords: Red beds, Oxidative altered bituminous coals, Spontaneous heating of coal,

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Abstract

The paper summarises basic results of the research project aimed at revealing the reason of high spontaneous combustion susceptibility of oxidative altered (OA) bituminous coals and, at recommanding appropriate measures to reduce the number of self heating incidents of OA coals in the vicinity of red beds bodies.
Based on the laboratory examinations, the main reason for the increased oxyreactivity in oxidative altered bituminous coals can be perceived in the three aspects:
1. Active, promoting role of moisture in the oxidation mechanism,
2. Increased reactivity of free radicals generated in the oxidation process,
3. Easy penetration of oxygen into porous system of OA coals.
Further, from the analysis of more than one hundered incidents of the spontaneous heating in coal mines of OKR, it was proved that:
1. Development of spontaneous heating in district with red and multicoloured layers goes with pronounced dynamics.
2. Methods of early detection od spontaneous heating often fail in the regions with red beds.
3. Rocks within red beds bodies and in their close vicinity are often extremely unstable, with layers being of breccia type. This leads to an easy penetration of the air oxygen towards the coal.
With respect to the above findings, it was decided to prevent endogenous fires within regions with red beds by conducting the mining work in sufficient, safe distance from these bodies. Rules to economy demarcation of the protective pillar from red beds are recommended and described.