CHAPTER 7

RECOVERY WORK IN A MINE

An area in an underground part of a mine might have been sealed due to spontaneous heating,
explosion, fire, irruption of noxious or inflammable gases or completion or depillaring operations. In some
cases an area may be sealed by isolation stoppings after the completion of development if depillaring is
planned to take place after a long time. Recovery of an area sealed due to fire or explosion is not free from
risks and some preparatory work is essential before commencing the operations to recover the area.

Reopening a Sealed off fire Area:

Before taking a decision to reopen a sealed off fire area the mine authorities have to ascertain the
conditions behind the stoppings in respect of temperature, slate of fire, composition of gases and (heir
pressure. The temperature of the stopping, as felt by hand, may give to the regular supervisory staff some
indication whether the temperature of the sealed off fire area is increasing or decreasing. This is reliably
observed from the thermometers inserted in the stopping through built-in pipes. Other aspects of the
conditions behind the stoppings can be known after interpretation of the analysis of the gas samples taken
from the sealed area at regular intervals over a long period. Such samples should preferably be collected
when the pressure behind the stoppings is positive as the sample is then likely to be truly representative of the
atmosphere in the scaled off area.
It is recommended that samples should be
taken when the barometric pressure is low (between
12 noon and 2 P.M.) Fig. 7.1 shows a method of
collection samples with the help of a suction pump
when the pressure behind the stopping is negative.
Samples may also be collected by the method of
water displacement/In all cases samples should be
collected from sampling pipes which are at feast 3
m inside the stopping and the air which was present
in the sampling pipe should be allowed to escape
before the proper sample is taken. Such sample
would be representative of the atmosphere behind
the stopping and would be reliable. If a rescue team
wearing self contained breathing apparatus has to
collect spot samples after entering a sealed area, the
samples are collected in the following manner.
1) By displacement of water — The bottle should be filled with clean
surface water and not by mine water. It is preferable to fill the bottle
with acidified water coloured with methyl orange.
The moisture on the inside surface of the bottle may, however,
dissolve small quantity of soluble gases like CO2
2) By inflating a rubber bladder with an air-filling pump at the spot of
sample,
3) By breaking the neck of a vacuum sampling bottle at the spot
where sample of air is to be collected. It is instantaneously filled
with the air sample and is then sealed by a rubber cap. The vacuum
bottles are usually 250-300 cm3. ( Fig. 7.2 ) The bottle should be
labelled.
How long the area should be kept sealed after an outbreak of
fire is difficult to assess. In some cases it may he months; in others, a few >ears. In general an area sealed off
on account of a conveyor or electrical fire can be opened earlier than an area sealed off on account of
spontaneous heating.

Interpretation of analysis of gas samples

(1) The graph (Fig. 7.3) shows the trend of
composition of gases behind the stoppings with the passage
of time in a coal mine. If the fire is active there is a gradual
decrease in percentage of oxygen, gradual increase in
percentage of CO2 (say upto 5 or 6%) and the ratio of CO 2
formed/oxygen absorbed is high. CH 4% goes up rapidly
in a gassy mine.
(2) When the percentage of O2 falls below
nearly 12, actual flame ceases but the embers continue to
be hot and slow combustion continues when O 2% is as
low as 4-5 resulting in formation of CO and CO, and evolution of heat. The percentage of CO 3 and CO
gradually goes down and that of CH4 gradually increases.
 (3) When the percentage of oxygen conies down to nearly 2 and remains at that level or below for
some weeks the fire may be considered to be extinct. The CO/O, ratio at that stage is nearly the same as is
normal to the coal seam when it was being worked The CH 4 percentage gradually goes up and the
atmosphere behind the stoppings is practically full of CH4.
The following analysis (Table 1) of air samples from sealed off area is available. Its interpretation
is given below.

TABLE 1
Date O2 N2 CH4 H2 CO CO2 CO/O2 CO2/O2,
29-8-91 7.13 88.08 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.79 0.00 29.70
01-9-91 4.44 88.64 0.18 0.00 0.00 6.74 0.00 35.50
04-9-91 2.44 89.62 0.14 0.00 0.00 7.80 0.00 38.10

The analysis indicates that oxygen percentage is gradually falling and CO2 percentage is steadily
rising. The ratio CO/CO2 is nil and CO2/O2 gradually rises. This is indicative that the fire is dying. The fact
that the oxygen percentage is gradually falling indicates that the stoppings are reasonably airtight and mine
air is not leaking into the fire area. Methane percentages indicate that the mine is only nominally gassy.
Table 2 gives results of analysis of air samples from behind the stoppings in another mine. Its
interpretation is as follows;
(i) The first two samples show the normal trend of a dying fire and the percentages of CO 2 and
oxygen are decreasing. The ratios CO/O3 as also CO2/O2 are decreasing.
(ii) The third sample shows a sudden rise in percentage of oxygen from 1.67 to 4.86. This indicates
that air is leaking into the fire area and the fire stopping is not leak proof. The dilution of the atmosphere is
further evident from the sudden fall of CO2 from 8.27% to 1.55%. Such dilution of gases behind the stopping
may be due lo small cracks in the stopping or because it is not made sufficiently airtight. The leakage may
also be due to passage of air into the sealed area from cracks in the roof coal or strata above the stopping.
Cracks in the floor strata below the stopping are not common though the possibility should be kept in mind.
In a shallow mine the leakage may be from the cracks extending upto the surface.

Date O2 N2 CH4 H2 CO CO2 CO/O2 CO2/O2,

22-12-91 1.83 89.58 0.02 0.00 0.08 8.49 0.37 38.7
24-12-91 1.67 89.96 0.00 0.04 0.04 8.27 0.18 37.3
04-1-92 4.86 87.55 0.00 0.02 0.02 7.55 0.11 41.2
12-1-92 1.80 89.41 0.00 0.00 0.00 8.79 0.00 40.2
18-1-92 2.22 89.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 8.46 0.00 38.6
24-1-92 1.91 89.51 0.00 0.00 0.06 8.52 0.28 39.1
29-1-92 1.84 89.32 0.00 0.00 0.06 8.78 0.28 38.0

If the leakages are stopped after studying the samples the oxygen percentage in the subsequent
samples will show a downward trend. The ratios CO2 /O2 and CO/O2 will also gradually decline .
(iii) The mine is non-gassy.
(iv) The fire is nearly extinct.
Table 3 gives analysis of air samples from behind the fire stoppings in a mine.
The interpretation of the analysis is as follows:
The factor that immediately catches attention is the rapid and continuous rise in the percentage of
methane, indicating a very gassy mine. The final atmosphere consists practically of CH4 gas. To interpret the
conditions behind the stoppings it is essential to calculate the CO/O2 ratio and CO2/O2 ratio and
Third day (return stopping)
Oxygen equivalent of 73.24% Nitrogen
Oxygen absorbed = 19. 39 — 16. 35 = 3.04%
CO2 produced = 0.56-0.03 = 0.53%
CO2/O2 ratio = (0.53 / 3.04) x 100 = 17.4%
CO/O2 ratio = (0.04 / 3.04) x 100 = 13.16%

Ninth day (return stopping)

Oxygen equivalent of 34.8% nitrogen = {(20.93) / (79.04)} x 34.8 = 9.21%
Oxygen absorbed = 9.21- 8.30 = 0.91%
CO2 produced = 0.38 -0.03 = 0.35%
 TABLE 3

The stopping in the Intake Airway

Samples taken CO2 CH4 O2 N2 CO Total
On completion of stopping 0.120 0.190 20.700 78.990 nil 100.000
3 days after completion 0.350 4.500 19.300 75.845 0.005 100.000
6 „ „ ,, 0.430 9.650 17.804 72.110 0.006 100.000
9 „ „ ,, 0.390 35 . 000 12 . 500 52.104 0,006 100.000
17 „ „ ,, 0.340 42.200 1 1 . 056 46.400 0.004 100.000
22 „ „ ,, 0.300 59.000 8.000 32.697 0.003 100.000
41 „ „ ,, 0.150 65 . 300 5.448 29.100 0,002 100.000
52 „ „ „ 0.100 70.500 3.000 26 400 nil 100.000
58 „ „ ,, nil 89.000 oil 11.000 nil 100.000
The stopping in the Return Airway
Samples taken. CO2 CH4 O2 N2 CO Total
On completion of stopping 0.350 1.800 19.725 78.100 0,025 100.000
3 days after completion 0.560 9.450 16.350 73. 2-40 0.400 100.000
6 „ „ ,, 0.500 26.390 14.550 58.505 0.055 100,000
9 „ „ ,, 0.380 56.511 8.300 34.800 0.009 100.000
17 „ „ ,, 0.200 78.505 nil 21. 290 0.005 100.000
22 „ „ ,, nil 90.000 nil 10.000 nil 100.000
52 „ „ „ nil 93.000 nil 7.000 nil 100.000
58 „ „ ,, nil 95.000 nil 5.000 nil 100.000
Note—Figures give percentages.

CO2/O2 ratio = (0.35 / 0.91) x 100 = 38.5%

CO/O2 ratio = (0.009 / 0.91) x 100 = 1.00%

Of the two ratios the CO/O2 ratio is more important and it indicates that the fire is burning actively on
the 3rd day but has died down considerably by the 9th day. Even without calculating the CO/O 2 ratios,
similar inference can be drawn by a look at the CO and CO 2 percentages but the method of interpretation
based on CO/O2 and CO2/O2 ratios is more scientific.
The various conclusions from the interpretations of the analysis figures can be summarised as
follows:
1) Active combustion occurs chiefly during the first 6 or 8 days and during this period the percentages of
CO and COB increase but the percentage of oxygen goes down and the fire gradually dies down with the
fall in oxygen percentage.
2) Slow heating continues throughout most of the period till the oxygen percentage falls down to 2% at the
intake stopping.
3) At the end of 58 days the fire is completely extinguished. It-is however prudent to wait for a few months
more and watch the trend of temperature and gas analysis before contemplating to reopen the fire area.
4) The seals are reasonably airtight as there is no fluctuation in the percentages of oxygen and nitrogen
and the CH4 percentage is gradually rising without any dilution by leaking air.
5) There is danger of firedamp explosion between the 3rd and 6th or 7th days, i. e. when the percentage of
CH4 lies within 5% and 15% and the percentage of oxygen exceeds about 13%. Thereafter no such
danger exists partly because the percentage of CH4 is too high and partly because the percentage of
oxygen is too low.
It should be noticed that the figures of analysts at the return stoppings are more important for
purposes of interpretation.
If the analysis of air samples points towards fire extinction and the temperature of the area has come
down to the normal strata temperature and these conditions remain constant for a few months, the stage is
ripe for reopening the fire area.
Before the fire area is to be reopened the mine authorities have to inform the DGMS of their intention
to reopen the sealed workings. The area is then inspected by a rescue learn wearing self contained breathing
apparatus after breaking open only one of the fire stoppings just sufficient for entry. Before the rescue team is
allowed to enter the area the following precautions should be taken:
(a) The roadways leading to the affected fire area should be thoroughly stone dusted.
(b) The return airway by which gas under pressure from behind the stoppings may travel to the upcast
shaft should be free from any possible source of ignition and electric current should be switched
off from all the equipment in the return air route.
(c) Water mains and telephones should be extended upto the fire stopping
(d) Materials and men for sealing off the fire area and construction of stoppings should be kept ready at
hand. If possible haulage track should be extended upto the stopping or a convenient place near it.
The rescue team marks on the large-scale tracing of the district the information it gathers during
inspection in respect of temperature, water logging, roof falls, road blockades, sites of gas samples, position
of machinery, condition of ventilation stoppings and doors, etc. Such information and the interpretation of
gas samples help the management to take a decision on reopening the scaled off fire area.
If the sealed off area is small the whole area is ventilated by breaking one stopping on the intake air
route and one on the return air route, thereby circulating the air current through the district. It is preferable to
construct a regulator in the return air stopping of the district to be reopened before circulation of air. The
sealed off area should be thickly stone dusted. It is to be noted that hot coals or other material may remain
buried under ashes and roof falls and on admission of fresh air the fire may be revived. The area has therefore
to be kept under observation for indication of smoke or rise of temperature. Samples of air from the return
airway of the district should be taken at half hourly intervals and speedily analysed for proper interpretation.

Reopening a sealed off area in stages

When the scaled off area is large and inspection by the rescue team in one stretch is impossible due to
the extent of the area, numerous roof fails, water logging or some other reasons, it should be reopened in
stages. (Fig. 7.4)
The procedure to be adopted is as follows: ~
1) Build an airtight airlock comprising of two steel doors on the outbye side of the stopping of proposed
intake airway.
2) Establish fresh air base on the outbye side of the
airlock.
3) Breach only one stopping inbye of the airlock just
sufficient to allow the rescue team to enter.
4) Permit the rescue team to inspect the area only upto
a specified distance, generally 50 to 100 m. The
rescue team, in addition to its normal duties ;
should also note the cross-sections of the roadways
where stopping may have to be constructed and
mark the cross-sections on the rescue tracings.
5) If report of the rescue team indicates conditions
favourable for reopening part of the area, another
rescue team should be sent inbye to inspect a further
area, say upto 200 m inbye, and on receiving a report from the second rescue team a decision
should be taken on the total area to be reopened. Construct temporary stoppings to separate the area
to be recovered from the area which will not be recovered in the first stage.
6) Break stopping of the proposed return air route after constructing a temporary stopping on its inbye
side
7) Open the door of the airlock to allow only small quantity of air, about 20 m3/min, to circulate past the
temporary stoppings till the gas percentage falls to about 2 and keep the area under observation for
rise of temperature.
8) Construct permanent brick stoppings in front of the temporary stoppings and provide doors in them
at A1 and B1 Transport of material, etc. can be done by mine workers but rescue teams equipped
with self contained breathing apparatus should be kept in readiness at a nearby convenient point.
9) For recovery of the area inbye of the stoppings A1 and B1 in stages construct an air lock at A: and
repeat the same procedure as outlined above.
An auxiliary forcing fan may be used for ventilation of the recovered area if the return air route is
blocked by roof fall machinery or other causes. Use of suction fan is not recommended! as the air of the
sealed area may be charged with fire damp.

QUESTIONS
\. Describe in brief the various methods of collecting samples of atmosphere from behind a sealed
area.
2. From a mine where regular samples of air are taken and analysed the following figures of gas
percentage are available
No. of Sample Oxygen Nitrogen Methane Carbon dioxide Carbon monoxide Location
1. 29.93 79.04 — 0.00 -- Intake
2. 19.89 79.01 0.69 0.40 0.008 Return
3. 19.95 79.04 0.59 0.41 0.013 - do -
4. 20.10 78.74 0.72 0.42 0.020 - do -
What conclusions would you draw from the series of results and why?
3. Give the likely results of analysis of mine air samples drawn from behind the stoppings sealing off
a fire area at the following intervals—
(i) Soon after sealing,
(ii) After a week,
(iii) After a month,
(iv) After six months.
(a) In reopening a sealed off fire area in a coat mine what preliminary investigations and
arrangements would you make before calling Rescue brigades?
(b) What dangers and difficulties are the Rescue teams likely to encounter in the fire area?
 5. A large area in an underground coal mine has been sealed off due to an explosion. State the
procedure that should be adopted in recovering the area.