Meticulous Graded and Early Warning System of Coal Spontaneous Combustion Based on Index Gases and Characteristic Temperature

The accurate prediction of coal spontaneous combustion (CSC) in the goaf areas of coal mines is a vital aspect of the migration from passive to active fire prevention and control. However, CSC is highly complicated and existing technologies cannot accurately monitor coal temperatures over wide expanses. Thus, it may be beneficial to assess CSC based on various index gases produced by the reactions of coal. In the present study, the CSC process was simulated by temperature-programmed experiments, and the relationships between index gas concentrations with the coal temperature were determined using logistic fitting functions. CSC was divided into seven stages, and a coal seam spontaneous ignition early warning system involving six criteria was established. Field trials demonstrated that this system is a viable approach to predicting coal seam fires and meets the requirements for the active prevention and control of coal combustion. This work establishes an early warning system based on specific theoretical guidelines that permits the identification of CSC and the implementation of active fire prevention and extinguishing measures.