Mining Publication: Designs for Rapid in Situ Sealing
Original creation date: January 2003
The NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL), in collaboration with the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the mining industry, and seal manufacturers, conducted a series of full- scale experiments within PRL's Experimental Mine and at Lake Lynn Laboratory. The purpose of the experiments was to evaluate the explosion-resistant characteristics of several new seal designs for rapid deployment during mine emergencies. These seals can be deployed in less than 12 hours and are capable of withstanding explosion overpressures in excess of 140 kPa (20 psi). These novel seal designs use available mine materials, do no require conventional rib hitching and, more importantly, can substantially reduce exposure time for coal miners during sealing and mine recovery operations.
Authors: MJ Sapko, ES Weiss, J Trackemas, CR Stephan
Peer Reviewed Journal Article - January 2003
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20028831
Trans Soc Min Metall Explor 2004 Jan; 316:85-92
See Also
- Compendium of Structural Testing Data for 20-psi Coal Mine Seals
- Designs for Rapid In-Situ Sealing
- Evaluation of Explosion-Resistant Seals, Stoppings, and Overcast for Ventilation Control in Underground Coal Mining
- Evaluation of New Methods and Facilities to Test Explosion-Resistant Seals
- Experimental Mine and Laboratory Dust Explosion Research at NIOSH
- Explosion Pressure Design Criteria for New Seals in U.S. Coal Mines
- Passive Mine Blast Attenuators Constructed of Rock Rubble for Protecting Ventilation Seals
- Progress Toward Improved Engineering of Seals and Sealed Areas of Coal Mines
- Structural Analysis and Design of Seals for Coal Mine Safety
- Use of Ground Penetrating Radar and Schmidt Hammer Tests to Determine the Structural Integrity of a Mine Seal
- Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program