Flammable Gas Detection in Coal Mines – a Historical Perspective
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The Angel's Way Route Seaton Sluice to Chester-Le-Street
Northern Saints Trails The Angel’s Way Seaton Sluice to Chester-le-Street 49 kms, 30.5 miles Introduction The Angel’s Way is an important link in the network of the Northern Saints Trails. This route between Seaton Sluice and Chester-le-Street means that there is a continuous 114 mile route between Lindisfarne and Durham, using St Oswald’s Way as far as Warkworth, The Way of the Sea from Warkworth to Seaton Sluice and after The Angel’s Way, Cuddy’s Corse (which is also part of The Way of Learning) from Chester-le-Street to Durham. All the Northern Saints Trails use the waymark shown here. In two parts, from near Holywell to Camperdown and from Bowes Railway Path to West Urpeth, the route follows The Tyne & Wear Heritage Way which is well signed and the waymark is also shown here. The route is divided into 4 sections, 3 of which are between 13 to 14 kilometres or 8 to 8.5 miles in length and section 3 from Millennium Bridge to The Angel of the North is just 8 kilometres or 5 miles. The route is of course named after the iconic Angel of the North designed by Antony Gormley. Since it was erected in 1998, it has quickly become Britain’s best known sculpture. When he designed the sculpture Gormley deliberately angled the wings 3.5 degrees forward to create what he described as “a sense of embrace”. This ties in with the protective concept of the guardian angel and if you want to engage with that theme as you journey on The Angel’s Way, perhaps this prayer will be appropriate: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard rule and guide. -
1 Humphry Davy in 1816
Humphry Davy in 1816: Letters and the Lamp Sharon Ruston Lancaster University By 1816, not yet 40 years old, Humphry Davy had retired from his paid roles at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, Board of Agriculture, and the Royal Society, after marrying the wealthy widow Jane Apreece and being awarded a knighthood. However the invention for which he is now best known was yet to come. When Robert Gray, rector of Bishopwearmouth, wrote to him on behalf of coal mine owners in the North East, asking him to turn his mind to the question of how to light mines safely, Davy responded with characteristic optimism and confidence. His response reveals his motive and agenda from the outset. He intended his contribution to be considered as theoretical, scientific knowledge for a higher purpose: “It will give me very great satisfaction if my chemical knowledge can be of any use in an enquiry so interesting to humanity” (letter from Davy to Robert Gray, August 3, 1815).1 In this essay I will discuss letters that demonstrate the lengths to which Davy went to maintain this view of his development of the miners’ safety lamp that became known as the “Davy lamp”. The forthcoming Collected Letters of Sir Humphry Davy edition will publish approximately one thousand letters not currently in the public domain. These letters will be of particular interest to Romantic-period literary scholars: they include letters to Wordsworth, Coleridge, Southey, Maria Edgeworth, and Walter Scott; there are letters that discuss Byron and the scandalous circle at Geneva in 1816, and letters that demonstrate Davy’s poetic sensibility. -
Meeting Reports
AUGUST 2014 MEETING Speaker: Andrew Conacher Topic: Sir Humphry Davy – The Davy Lamp Andrew’s talk on Sir Humphry Davy was most engaging and enjoyable. He firstly spoke on Sir Humphry’s background and life and then focused on the Davy Lamp, its context and importance. Andrew indicated that he has an ancestral family connection to Sir Humphry. The following is a brief extract from Andrew’s paper. Sir Humphry was born on 17 December 1778 in Penzance, Cornwall, England and died 29 May 1829 in Geneva, Switzerland aged 50 years. A statue stands in Penzance with him holding his safety lamp. Andrew Conacher holds up miner’s safety lamps. He was both a chemist and inventor Picture: KIRK GILMOUR, Wollongong Advertiser 6 August 2014 and was also a poet and painter. He enthusiastically turned to science and later became a professor at the Royal Institution and flame (acting as a flame arrestor) presented a series of lectures which were later published. thus preventing the methane gas burning inside the lamp to pass out He worked with a number of scientists of the day (for into the atmosphere. The lamp also example, Sir Joseph Banks, who interviewed Davy for his provided a test for the presence of role at the Royal Institution and Michael Faraday who was gases. If flammable gases were a co-worker with him) and was a popular public figure. present the flame of the lamp He made a number of scientific discoveries (for example, burnt higher and with a blue tinge. electrolysis, sodium, potassium, barium) and was knighted The lamp saved lives and helped in1812 and awarded a baronetcy in 1819. -
Gas Migration from Closed Coal Mines to the Surface. Risk Assessment Methodology and Prevention Means
Post-Mining 2005, November 16-17, Nancy, France 1 GAS MIGRATION FROM CLOSED COAL MINES TO THE SURFACE. RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY AND PREVENTION MEANS Zbigniew POKRYSZKA1, Christian TAUZIÈDE1 and Candice LAGNY1, Yves GUISE2, Rémy GOBILLOT2, Jean-Maurice PLANCHENAULT2, René LAGARDE2 1 INERIS, Parc Technologique ALATA - BP N°2 - 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte – France; [email protected], [email protected]. 2 Charbonnages de France, 100 avenue Albert 1er - BP 220 - 92503 Rueil-Malmaison - France, [email protected], [email protected] ABSTRACT: French law as regards renunciation to mining concessions calls for the mining operator to first undertake analyses of the risks represented by their underground mining works. The problem of gas migration to the surface is especially significant in the context of coal mines. This is because mine gas can migrate to the earth's surface, then present significant risks: explosion, suffocation or gas poisoning risks. As part of the scheduled closure of all coal mining operations in France, INERIS has drawn up, at the request of national mining operator Charbonnages de France, a general methodology for assessing the risk linked to gas in the context of closed coal mines. This article presents the principles of this methodology. An application example based on a true case study is then described. This is completed by a presentation of the preventive and monitoring resources recommended and usually applied in order to manage the risk linked to gaseous emissions. KEYWORDS: gas, coal, mine, closure, risk. RESUME : La réglementation française en matière de renonciation aux concessions minières prévoit que l’exploitant minier réalise au préalable des analyses des risques présentés par ses travaux miniers souterrains. -
Coal Mine Methane Recovery: a Primer
Coal Mine Methane Recovery: A Primer U.S. Environmental Protection Agency July 2019 EPA-430-R-09-013 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report was originally prepared under Task Orders No. 13 and 18 of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Contract EP-W-05-067 by Advanced Resources, Arlington, USA and updated under Contract EP-BPA-18-0010. This report is a technical document meant for information dissemination and is a compilation and update of five reports previously written for the USEPA. DISCLAIMER This report was prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). USEPA does not: (a) make any warranty or representation, expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in this report, or that the use of any apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report may not infringe upon privately owned rights; (b) assume any liability with respect to the use of, or damages resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report; or (c) imply endorsement of any technology supplier, product, or process mentioned in this report. ABSTRACT This Coal Mine Methane (CMM) Recovery Primer is an update of the 2009 CMM Primer, which reviewed the major methods of CMM recovery from gassy mines. [USEPA 1999b, 2000, 2001a,b,c] The intended audiences for this Primer are potential investors in CMM projects and project developers seeking an overview of the basic technical details of CMM drainage methods and projects. The report reviews the main pre-mining and post-mining CMM drainage methods with associated costs, water disposal options and in-mine and surface gas collection systems. -
Explosibility of Coal Dust
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEOKGE OTIS SMITH, DIRECTOR BULLETIN 425 THE EXPLOSIBILITY OF COAL DUST BY GEORGE S. RICE WITH CHAPTERS BX J. C. W. FRAZER, AXEL LARSEN, FRANK HAAS, AND CARL SCHOLZ WASHINGTON GOVERN M E N T P K I N T IN G OFFICE 1910 CONTENTS. Page. Introd uctory statement...................................... ............ 9 The coal-dust, problem................................................ 9 i Acknowledgments.................................................... 10 Historical review of the coal-dust question in Europe ....................... 11 Observations in England prior to 1850................................. 11 Observations by French engineers prior to 1890........................ 12 Experiments in England between 1850 and 1885........................ 12 Experiments in Prussia............................,.............:..... 14 Experiments in Austria between 1885 and 1891......................... 16 Views of English authorities between 1886 and 1908.................... 17 German, French, and Belgian stations for testing explosives............ 19 Altofts gallery, England, 1908......................................... 21 Second report of Royal Commission on Mines, 1909...................... 21 Recent Austrian experiments.......................................... 22 Historical review of the coal-dust question in the United States.............. 23 Grahamite explosions in West Virginia, 1871 and 1873.................. 23 Flour-mill explosion at Minneapolis, 1878............................. -
1 Humphry Davy to John Davy, 15 October [1811] Davy, Collected Letters, Vol
1 Humphry Davy: Analogy, Priority, and the “true philosopher” Sharon Ruston Lancaster University, England https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3864-7382 This essay explores how Davy fashioned himself as, what he called in his poetry, a “true philosopher.” He defined the “true philosopher” as someone who eschewed monetary gain for his scientific work, preferring instead to give knowledge freely for the public good, and as someone working at a higher level than the mere experimentalist. Specifically, Davy presented himself as using the method of analogy to reach his discoveries and emphasised that he understood the “principle” behind his findings. He portrayed himself as one who perceived analogies because he had a wider perspective on the world than many others in his society. The poem in which he describes the “true philosopher” offers us Davy’s private view of this character; the essay then demonstrates how Davy attempted to depict his own character in this way during critical moments in his career. Introduction During the safety lamp controversy of 1815–1817, Humphry Davy deliberately presented himself as a natural philosopher. For Davy this meant someone with a wider purview than others, who is alive to the metaphorical, literary, and philosophical ramifications of his scientific discoveries. He represented himself as working at a highly theoretical level in the laboratory, rather than practically in the mine, making a clear distinction between himself and George Stephenson in this regard. Davy suggested that he was working for loftier ideals and was opposed to monetary gain or profit by patent. He declared that his discoveries were the product of analogical thinking and a consequence of his understanding of scientific principle. -
Is Mine Water a Source of Hazardous Gas?
9th INTERNATIONAL MINE WATER CONGRESS Is mine water a source of hazardous gas? Jean Hall1, Dr Stephanie Glendinning1 and Professor Paul Younger2 1.School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne 2.Hydrogeochemical Engineering Research and Outreach (HERO), IRES, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne E-mail: [email protected] Keywords: Mine gas; blackdamp; firedamp ABSTRACT Most coal and coal bearing strata contain significant quantities of gases. These gases are either potentially explosive in critical concentrations when mixed with air, others are toxic. Gases found in a mine are almost certainly a mixture of atmospheric air, inert gases, water vapour and one or more of the following: oxygen, carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen sulphide, hydrogen and nitrous oxides. Gases such as “firedamp” and “blackdamp” may accumulate in poorly ventilated workings; these pose no threat provided they stay in the mine; however, gases can migrate through voids and strata and be emitted. All underground workings are affected by atmospheric pressure variations; mines can “breathe” over periods of rapid barometric pressure falls. Gas in confined underground atmospheres can come from three possible sources: desorption from exposed coal strata; exsolution from mine waters; and fossil gas trapped in pockets within the strata. Desorption from rock and exsolution from mine water are being quantified experimentally within coal measure strata at Caphouse Colliery in Yorkshire. This paper will present the findings to date and will conclude that mine water is a source of hazardous gas in mine atmospheres. INTRODUCTION Mine gases are as hazardous to the underground environment as they are to the surface environment. -
AC B1678 CN 622.8222 SPO 1976 DA 1976 T1 Spontaneous
Simtars Information Centre 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111 006374 AC B1678 CN 622.8222 SPO 1976 DA 1976 T1 Spontaneous combustion in underground coal mines (general notes for employees Jones~ H (Howard) AC 81678 CN 622.8222 SPa 1976 DA 1976 TI Spontaneous combustion in / underground coal mines - (general notes for employees AU Jones, H (Howard) - .. I OLD. LIBRARY SUPPLIES SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION IN UNDERGROUND COAL MINES (General notes for employees) Compiled by: HOWARD lONES, H.Se., C.Eng., F.G.S., .....------F.I.M.E., M. (Aust.) I.M.M. z onsulting Mining Engineer o ~~ ~t- a: wZ f2U Issued by: Z THE DEPARTMENT OF MINES, QUEENSLAND in conjunction with The Queensland Coal Owners Association and The Queensland Colliery Employees Union ~ionNo {.~2}{. Order No . PSF No . 02te RecelJed ..(;'..1.~.?.!.'- t. .. CtOissiiication ...•.. 1:~.':..~ "}-'}'). 85904-1 No ~f(l . ..........................t·7-·7·6... i CONTENTS Foreword 4 Introduction 6 The Development of a Heating . 7 Mine Gases Associated With Heatings 10 Detection of Heatings . 15 Dangers Associated With the Development of a Spontaneous Heating .. 17 General..... 22 Conclusion 27 3 85904-2 FOREWORD The phenomenon of spontaneous combustion in undergroun4 coal mines is not a new one. Its associated problems have been of great concern wherever and whenever coal mining has been practised. Two unfortunate accidents, at Box Flat in 1972 and at Kianga in 1975, which together claimed thirty-one lives, have focused attention on the need for all associated with the industry in Queensland to gain a full appreciation of the nature of the problems and how they can best be handled. Among the recommendations made by the Board of Inquiry into the Kianga Disaster were- (a) There is a basic need for all members of the coal mining industry in Queensland to improve their knowledge with regard to the funda mentals of spontaneous combustion and the underground mining problems associated therewith. -
Instruction Guide Series IG7
Advanced Mine Rescue Training Coal Mines U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration National Mine Health and Safety Academy Instruction Guide Series IG7 Revised 2 0 1 3 Visit the Mine Safety and Health Administration website at www.msha.gov CONTENTS Introduction Your Role as an Instructor Overview Module 1 – Surface Organization Module 2 – Mine Gases Module 3 – Mine Ventilation Module 4 – Exploration Module 5 – Fires, Firefighting, and Explosions Module 6 – Rescue of Survivors and Recovery of Bodies Module 7 – Mine Recovery Page Intentionally Left Blank Introduction Throughout history, miners have traveled underground secure in the knowledge that if disaster strikes and they become trapped in the mine, other miners will make every possible attempt to rescue them. This is the mine rescue tradition. Today’s mine rescue efforts are highly organized operations carried out by groups of trained and skilled individuals who work together as a team. Underground coal mine rescue team members must be trained according to the requirements under 30 CFR 49.18. Under Section 49.18(b)(4), this training must consist of advanced mine rescue training and procedures, as prescribed by MSHA's Office of Educational Policy and Development (EPD). This guide is designed to be used with the material in IG-7a, Advanced Skills Training, and both guides are needed to satisfy the advanced mine rescue training requirement. This guide is divided into self-contained units of study called “modules.” Each module covers a separate subject and includes suggestions, handouts, visuals, and text materials to assist you with training. Since regulations, policy and mining technology can change, be sure to check for information that could supersede this material. -
The Composition of Coalbed Gas
Report of Investigations 7762 The Composition of Coalbed Gas By Ann G. Kim Pittsburgh Mining and Safety Research Center, Pittsburgh, Pa. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Rogers C. B. Morton, Secretary BUREAU OF MINES Elburt F. Osborn, Director This publication has been cataloged as follows : * Kim, Ann G The composition of coalbed gas. [washington] U.S. Bureau of Mines [ 19731 9 p. tables. (US. Bureau of Mines. Report of investigations 7762) hcludes bibliography. 1. Gas. 2. Mine gases. L US. Bureau of Mines. 11. Title. Ill. Title: Coalbed gas. (Series) TN23.U7 no. 7762 622.06173 U.S. Dept. of the Int. Library CONTENTS Page Abstract ................................................................. Intrductim .............................................................. Gas in coal: Theory ..................................................... Procedures ............. ................................................... Gases in coal: Data ...................................................... Smv.................................................................. References ............................................................... TABLES 1. Coalbeds sampled ..................................................... 2 . Composition of gas from Pocahontas No . 3 coal ........................ 3 . Hydrocarbons from Pocahontas No . 3 coal ...... ........................ 4 . Composition of gas from Pittsburgh coal . ............................ 5 . Composition of gas from Kittanning coalbeds .......................... 6 . Cmposition of -
Safety Underground: Mining and the Miners' Lamp Transcript
Safety Underground: Mining and the Miners' Lamp Transcript Date: Monday, 1 June 2015 - 1:00PM Location: Museum of London 01 June 2015 Safety Underground: Mining and the Miners’ Lamp Professor Frank James Towards the end of this year we will be marking the bicentenary of the simultaneous, and almost certainly independent, inventions of versions of the miners’ safety lamp by Humphry Davy and George Stephenson, and in 2016 the anniversary of its first deployment. During the eighteenth century, the counties of Northumberland and Durham produced more coal than any other region in the British Isles. Even by the middle of the nineteenth century following the expansion of mining elsewhere, the north-east coal field still produced more than a fifth of the country’s coal. But such production came at a heavy cost to the lives of mineworkers. The opening years of the nineteenth century saw an exponential increase in coal mine fatalities caused by the explosion of what was then termed fire-damp, now known as methane (CH4). On 25 May 1812 ninety-two men and boys (including four aged under ten) were killed by an explosion at Felling colliery, near Gateshead. This was in the parish of Jarrow-with-Heworth, whose Rector, John Hodgson, was horrified at the loss of life, especially as virtually all the victims were buried in Heworth church. One result of this disaster was the formation, in the autumn of 1813, of ‘A Society for preventing Accidents in Coal-Mines’, generally known as the Sunderland Society. The formation of this Society had been prompted by the Durham born London lawyer James Wilkinson who happened to be present at the time of the Felling explosion and had been appalled at the length of the funeral cortège.