Optimization of ventilating energy distribution for controlling coal spontaneous combustion of sealed panel in underground coal mines

In underground coal mines, the energy difference from sealed fire area to general mine atmosphere and variations in atmospheric pressure cause leakage, which can affect the stable status of sealed tire area even lead to reburning. In this study, a quantitative analysis method was presented to optimize Ventilating energy distribution, which coupled the atmospheric pressure fluctuation. The method was applied to the sealed fire area management in a high gas emission coal mine. Based on analysis results, the "one into and four outs" system, four fire dams in air-outflow condition with continuous nitrogen injection, was realized stably by setting up adjustable ventilation facilities reasonably. After the ventilating energy distribution was optimized, oxygen and carbonic oxide concentration of sealed fire area declined remarkably with less than 5% and 10 ppm respectively. The state was maintained one month, which established a basis for the unsealing of sealed tire area. (C) 2013 International Association for Fire Safety Science. Published by Elsevier Ltd.