Mining Publication: Technology News 441 - SPONCOM - An Expert System to Predict Spontaneous Combustion Potential of a Coal Mining Operation
Original creation date: October 1994
Approximately 15% of underground coal mine fires are caused by the spontaneous combustion of coal. Spontaneous combustion fires usually occur in mined-out or gob areas and are difficult to detect and to extinguish. These fires present a serious safety hazard to mine personnel, often requiring sealing of large sections of the mine or the entire mine. A knowledge of the spontaneous combustion potential of the mining operation and the factors that increase that risk can be useful in preventing spontaneous combustion fires. This can be accomplished through the use of aggressive monitoring and control measures at existing coal mining operations.
Authors: Bureau of Mines
Technology News - October 1994
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20025283
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Technology News 441, 1994 Oct; :1-2
See Also
- CFD Modeling of Spontaneous Heating in a Large-Scale Coal Chamber
- The Effect of Ventilation on Spontaneous Heating of Coal
- Refuge Alternatives in Underground Coal Mines
- Safe and Economical Inerting of Sealed Mine Areas
- SPONCOM - A Computer Program for the Prediction of the Spontaneous Combustion Potential of an Underground Coal Mine
- Spontaneous Combustion
- Technology News 535 - NIOSH Releases New Educational Video: Escape from Farmington No. 9: An Oral History
- Technology News 545 - NIOSH Updates Spontaneous Combustion Assessment Software
- Ultra-Low Frequency Through-the-Earth Communication Technology
- Wireless Mesh Mine Communication System
- Page last reviewed: 9/21/2012
- Page last updated: 4/23/2015
- Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program