Review of the use of nitrogen in mine fires

Abstract

The first use of, nitrogen to smother an underground fire was at the Doubrava mine in the Czech part of the Upper Silesian Coalfield in 1949. Since then many countries have used nitrogen for the fighting, suppression and prevention of underground fires. Experience of the use of nitrogen in Great Britain, Germany, France, the former Soviet Union states, Bulgaria, India, Poland, the Czech Republic and elsewhere is reviewed. Because the Czech Republic was the first to use pure nitrogen for the fighting of mine fires special attention is paid to this. Present-day use of nitrogen, its sources, consumption and technological equipment are discussed.