Spontaneous combustion of coal and its early detection on OKR mines

Abstract

Occurrence of spontaneous combustion of coal in OKR (Ostrava-Karvina Coal Field) still represents current problems worthy of solution. In OKR mining operations it is necessary to minimize permanently a risk of endogenous fire and its consequences to which as well a potential risk of possible initiation of air-methane mixture belongs that could lead to serious consequences in the form of mine accident accompanied by losses of human lives. The valid mining legislation of the Czech Mining Office imposes to check carbon monoxide occurrence in the mine atmosphere. Tracking further indicator gases of spontaneous combustion is imposed in the OKR mines by Decision of the District Mining Office in Ostrava [1]. The aim of the decision is to minimize risks resulting from occurrence of spontaneous combustion in the OKR mines. Actual findings confirm importance of inspection of indicator gas occurrence in the mine atmosphere as well as complexity of temperature estimation of the centre of spontaneous combustion. The presented paper deals with spontaneous combustion process, occurrence of spontaneous combustion of coal in OKR mines, some findings in the area of early detection of coal by indicator gases, it gives reasons for actual reserves in the given area and consider possibilities of improvement of temperature estimation of spontaneous combustion.