7th BALKANMINE CONGRESS – Proceedings, Prijedor 2017

DOI: 10.7251/BMC170701201T

NEW CONCEPTS OF PREVENTING / COMBATING THE RISK OF

COAL IGNITION

Cristian TOMESCU1, Constantin LUPU1, Ion GHERGHE1, Emeric CHIUZAN1,

Florin RADOI1, Adrian MATEI1, Razvan DRĂGOESCU1
1
National Institute for Research and Development in Mine Safety and Protection to Explosion – INSEMEX
Petrosani, Hunedoara County, Romania,
cristian.tomescu@isemex.ro, constantin.lupu@insemex.ro, ion.gherghe@insemex.ro,
emeric.chiuzan@insemex.ro, florin.radoi@insemex.ro, adrian.matei@insemex.ro,
razvan.dragoescu@insemex.ro

ABSTRACT

The phenomena of spontaneous combustion occurred in coal mines are the cause of the chemical
reaction of the mineral substance with atmospheric oxygen, with the predisposing factors oxidation
tendency (self-ignition) of the carbonaceous material, oxidizing environment and thermodynamic
system conditions.
An a priori knowledge of the risk of self-ignition by laboratory determination of the self-ignition
parameters and the classification of coal in this regard, provides information necessary for the hazard
scenario and prevention plan.
Among the modern methods of preventing / combating the spontaneous combustion phenomenon can
be mentioned the monitoring of the underground atmosphere through the fire indices and the use of the
nitrogen inerting technology of the exploited space.
This paper is oriented on identify the particularities that occur during the phenomenon of spontaneous
combustion through pilot bench investigations, unique in Romanian and modern equipped on which
coal oxidation behavior was studied in terms of applying nitrogen inertisation.
By analyzing classical fire indices variation compared to the new ones identified during the
development of spontaneous combustion phenomenon in normal and under conditions of nitrogen
inertisation were obtained research results that will lead to improved understanding of mine fires, the
dimensions on profound scientific bases of measures to prevent and combat the phenomenon of
spontaneous combustion.

Key words: coal, risk, spontaneous combustion, fire indices, nitrogen inertisation.

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1. INTRODUCTION

The risk of self-ignition of coal represents the probability of generating a phenomenon of

spontaneous combustion due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors that contribute to its emergence
separately or combined. Depending on the laboratory method of determining in Romania are
five groups of risk of self-ignition of coal.
Classic fire indices used for monitoring in Romania, respectively, Graham rate, Breathing
rate, index of ethylene and acetylene have created the picture of evolution - involution
phenomena of spontaneous combustion occurring in coal mines, for various reasons, objective
or subjective. [1]
It is known that at the time of occurrence of this phenomenon, a number of measures are
applied for the control of combustion in various ways, by the isolation of the affected deposit
for a period of time for workers' safety and the underground coal layer from exploitation area
and neighborhoods. Period of isolation remains below observation by periodic measurements
of gas concentrations and temperature, air sampling the closed area and physical - chemical
analysis in the laboratory.
Depending on the method of fighting applied the isolation period lasts from several months to
years, which restrict the extraction activity. For the reduction of isolation is frequently used a
system with noncriogenic nitrogen inertisation of the exploited area, which is intended to
reduce the combustion intensity, as a result of reducing the concentration of oxygen and
cooling the area and to prevent explosions.
Same for inertisation application, the affected area is monitored and the measurements will
draw up the chart of evolution-involution of the phenomenon of spontaneous combustion, but
in terms of excess nitrogen and artificially decreasing oxygen concentration, based on which
are calculated the classic fire indices, appears the question of whether calculated fire indices
can accurately reflect the reality on the ground.
The INCD INSEMEX researchers experimentally modeled the on a test bench, the oxidation
behavior of coal under nitrogen inertisation application on samples taken from exploitable
coal layers from the Jiu Valley mining unit. So, several coal samples were tested in terms of
predisposition to ignition.[2]

2. CLASSIFICATION OF COAL ON THE BASIS OF SELF-IGNITION RISK

Self-ignition of coal represents a particular risk for mining industry and appealing to this
notion used in the management of health and safety at work, the risk of self-ignition of the
mineral substances, is classifying the carbonaceous substance in relation to the method of
determining the laboratory, which corresponds to a function of classification (table 2.1)[3]
 Method of determining the risk of self-ignition in gaseous oxygen environment with
classification function: the temperature gradient T/20;
 Method of determining the risk of self-ignition in a liquid medium (perhydrol) function
classification: the reaction rate vr (0C / min.).

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Table 1.

The behavior of coal

Group
classification in gaseous oxygen environment / the in a liquid medium (perhydrol) / the
temperature gradient T/20 reaction rate vr (0C / min.).
Coal without risk of self-ignition, Coal without risk of self-ignition, vr<
Group I
T/20< 5°C/20 3°C/min.
Coal with low risk of self-ignition, Coal with risk of self-ignition, 3°C/min
Group II
5°C/20T/20 20°C/20 vr 10°C/min.
Coal with medium risk of self- Coal with pronounced risk of self-
Group III
ignition, 20°C/20T/20 35°C/20 ignition, vr>100C / min.
Coal with high risk of self-ignition,
Group IV -
35°C/20T/20 50°C/20
Coal with pronounced risk of self-
Group V -
ignition, T/20> 50°C/20

3. THE TEST BENCH

The automated assembly tracking system of evolution-involution spontaneous combustion

parameters have the following components:
 Enclosed heater resistance of 500 W, 4 pcs. in series and 4 pcs. reserves;
 The monitoring system of coal bed temperature with thermocouple sensors with
measuring range 50-1600  C;
 Temperature measurement system from the air cushion with the sensor "type PT100
resistance thermometer with measurement range of 50-400  C;
 TSI model 4043 flow meter flow of 0-100 l / min with calibration certificate;
 Adjustable valve - proportional valve - 3 way 24 VDC loop control;
 Combustion chamber (reaction vessel);
 Specialized software for programming and monitoring operating parameters of
evolution-involution process characteristics of spontaneous combustion (Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The automated system interface for the thermal process

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4. EVOLUTION - INVOLUTION OF SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION UNDER

NITROGEN INERTISATION

4.1. Method for measuring and tracking the phenomenon

After pre-testing the susceptibility to ignition of the coal mining units located in eastern Jiu
Valley by oxygen and hydrogen peroxide oxidation method was selected the coal with the
highest reaction rate (the more reactive coal).[1]
There been sampled the coal stope individual no. 35, layer 3, Block V - slice XXX from EM
Lonea, which have been milled to a suitable particle size by INSEMEX methodology and
introduced into the combustion chamber of the test stand (reaction vessel).
The supply of nitrogen was conducted through a branch of the air circuit, from the 50-liter
cylinder with nitrogen, charged to a pressure of 200 bar of (volume 10 m 3 N2-10000 l).
In the combustion chamber of the experimental stand, by means of the three thermocouple
was automatically measured the temperature variation on the bottom, middle and top of the
charcoal column.
Working regime of the test bench was consisted the predefined input parameters:
 Air flow rate the circulated through the sample of coal in the combustion chamber 50 l
/min;
 In the insertisation terms, the air flow circulated through the sample in the combustion
chamber, 40 l/min and the nitrogen flow rate 10 liters/min.;
 The temperature of the air cushion in both cases: 120 ° C;
 Air relative humidity circulated by samples 54-64%;
 The weight of the samples tested: about 100 kg;
 Particle size samples : 0-10 mm.
The observed parameters:
 sample temperature;
 the air cushion temperature
 changing the oxygen concentration during the process;
 changing gas concentrations, resulting in the evolution and involution of oxidation
(CO2, CO, CH4, H2S, C2H4 and C2H2);
The total flow rate of the air circulated through the coal samples:
 non-inerted sample: 911 636 l (911.6 m3)
 sample inerted 368 032 l (368 m3).
Total nitrogen flow through the sample inerted 100,000 l (100 m3).
The process monitoring and direct measurement of gas concentrations and gas sampling also
gas chromatographic analysis and ORSAT to certain temperature thresholds were as follows:
 Direct measurements gas from 10 to 10 ° C, with gas sampling, from t = 50 ° C to T =
200o C temperature in the sample;
 At T = 200o C, direct measurement gas, the gas sampling from 50 to 50 ° C, until the
temperature the sample T = 500o C;
 At T = 500o C, direct measurement gas, the gas sampling from 100 to 100 ° C until the
maximum temperature reached in the sample.

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For the coal sample modeled without nitrogen, the temperature in the combustion chamber
has evolved to the point 7700 C, then entered the involution phase , and the nitrogen-treated
sample has evolved to the point temperature 257 0 C then entered the phase of involution.
At temperatures exceeding 1200 C (temperature of the air-cushion default parameter) in the
sample, the system is self-sustaining process by increasing the rate of spontaneous
combustion at every rise in temperature of 100 C, was not conditions of heat exchange with
the outside environment, air cushion taking heat from coal. Maximum temperature recorded
in the air cushion in the first sample tested 2100 C and 1500 C in nitrogen-treated sample.
Temperature measurements were recorded on a computer, gas concentrations were measured
directly with portable analyzers and in laboratory by samples taken for chemical analysis with
ORSAT and gas chromatograph.

4.2. Temperature and gas concentrations measurements and parameters

interpretation

For the coal sample modeled without nitrogen, the temperature in the combustion chamber
has evolved to the point of 7700 C, then has entered in the phase of involution, and the
nitrogen-treated sample has evolved to the point temperature of 2570 C then which entered the
phase of involution.
Issues seen:
 T1 increased from the ambient temperature, constant up to a temperature of 257 °C,
then entered into the regression phase;
 Temperature T2 increased from the ambient temperature constantly to a temperature of
200 ° C, then entered into the regression phase;
 Temperature T3 increased from the ambient temperature up to a temperature of
128 °C, then entered into the regression phase;
 Oxygen concentration ranged from 10.6 to 20.0% O2;
 The concentration of carbon dioxide ranged from 0 to 5.2% CO2;
 The concentration of methane (CH4) ranged from 0 to 0.15% vol;
 Carbon dioxide concentration ranged from 0 to 2.1440% CO;
 The concentration of hydrogen sulfide ranged from H2S 1 to 2 ppm;
 Hydrogen concentration ranged from 62 to 192 ppm H2;
 Ethylene C2H4 ranged from 0 to 180 ppm;
 Acetylene C2H2 ranged from 0 to 4.4 ppm;

Curves of temperature versus time are shown in Figure 2.a (nitrogen untreated coal sample)
and in Figure 2.b. (coal sample treated with nitrogen).

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T [ C]
Variaţia temperaturilor Tp, T1, T2, T3 Variaţia temperaturilor Tp, T1, T2, T3

T [ C]
[T perna]
[T perna]
900 [ Termocupla 1]
[ Termocupla 2]
300 [ Termocupla 1]
800 [ Termocupla 2]
[ Termocupla 3] 250
700 [ Termocupla 3]

600 200 Series1

Series1
500 Series2 150 Series2
400 Series3
100 Series3
Series4
300
50 Series4
200
100
0 nr. măs.(106)/timp
(222 ore)
nr. măs./timp 1 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81 91 101 111 121 131
0 (350 ore)
1 9 17 25 33 41 49 57 65 73 81 89 97 105 113 121 129

a) b)
Figure 2. Curves of temperature versus time

Temperature variations which were mentioned above, represents the development of

spontaneous combustion involution process lasted for 350 hours in untreated coal sample and
222 hours for the sample the coal inerted with nitrogen. For a more relevant description of the
phenomenon from the total of 240 measurements were selected 33 measurements, in the
temperature thresholds.

5. NEW FIRE INDICES IDENTIFICATION

5.1. Tracking the phenomenon of spontaneous combustion by fire indices: Graham,

Breathing, ethylene, acetylene

In the coal samples modeled by programmed heating on the experimental test bench was
watched the process of spontaneous combustion by the indices commonly used in Romania
and which may indicate the development of spontaneous combustion phases, depending on
the values determined.[2]
Fire indices R1, R2, ethylene and acetylene determined by the temperature as the
measurements of the gas concentrations O2, CO and CO2 are listed in Table 2, for the sample
without nitrogen and Table 3 for the sample with nitrogen. The tables include:

Sample without nitrogen (Table 2) Sample with nitrogen (Table 3)

The charts related to the Graham R1 index variation are listed below in 3.a - 3.b figures.

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a) Sample without nitrogen b) Sample with nitrogen

Variaţia indice R1 VARIATIE INDICE R1-PROBA CU AZOT

80 30
70
25
60
20
50

R1
15 INDICE R1
40 indice R1
30 10

20 5

10 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 NR.INCERCARI/TIMP

a) Index R1 sample without nitrogen b) Index R1 sample with nitrogen

Figure 3. Graham R1 index charts variation

5.2. New fire indices usable to inertization with nitrogen

By inertization with nitrogen (N2), there is a significant artificial decrease in the oxygen
concentration and not as a phenomenon due to oxidation. Under these conditions, by fire
indices indices R1 and R2 dependent on the oxygen concentration, presents deviations from
normal values related to the evolution-involution phenomena of spontaneous combustion. In
this respect it is necessary to identify indices of fire to be independent of the changes in
oxygen concentration. New fire indices that can meet this condition are generally reports of
gas concentrations resulting from oxidation of coal, whose values do not depend on artificial
variation of oxygen content.
We shall have the fire indices determined in absolute value. Such identification is the first
index I1 as the ratio of R1 and R2:
CO
* 100
CO
 O 2
R1
I1   (1)
R 2 CO 2 * 100 CO 2
O 2
It is seen from equation (1) the index I1 does not contain oxygen and therefore the absolute
value of the index will be independent of the concentration of oxygen.
Also, the reverse of index I1, may be identified as an indicator I2 as the report of the R2 and
R1, the absolute value:
CO 2
*100
CO 2
 O 2
R2
I2   (2)
R1  CO CO
*100
O 2
I3 index, the ratio in absolute value of the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) and the
concentration of hydrogen (H2):
CO
I3  (3)
H2
I4 Index the ratio in absolute value of the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the
concentration of hydrogen (H2):

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CO 2
I4  (4)
H2
I5 Index the ratio in absolute value of the concentration of ethylene (C2H4) and the
concentration of hydrogen (H2):
C 2H 4
I5  (5)
H2
I6 Index the ratio in absolute value of the concentration of acetylene (C2H2) and the
concentration of hydrogen (H2):
C 2H 2
I6  (6)
H2
I7 Index the ratio in absolute value of the concentration of ethylene (C2H4), and the
concentration of acetylene (C2H2):
C 2H 4
I7  (7)
C 2H 2
However, the use of the absolute index of carbon monoxide qco is appropriate for a with
nitrogen inertisation.

qCO = Ci . Q . 10-3 l/min  (8)

In (8) the terms of the expression is the concentration of CO, vehicle and constant flow
uniformity.

5.3. Graphical representation of the fire indices

To get a picture of the phenomenon of spontaneous combustion carried into the reaction
vessel, for the samples modeled on the experimental stand output data obtained from
measurements and gas chromatographic determination were processed with the by analyzing
the comparative evolutions involutions of the fire indices with Graham R1 as reference on
boards of values from the table nr. 4.1 and 4.2, from subchapter 4.1.
CO
5.3.1. Index I1 I 1 
CO 2
a) Sample without nitrogen b) Sample with nitrogen
VARIATIE I1 CO/CO2 -PROBA FARA AZOT VRIATIE I1 CO/CO2 -PROBA CU AZOT

3 1.2

2.5 1

2 0.8
I1

0.6 Series2
I1

1.5 INDICE I1

1 0.4

0.5 0.2

0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

NR.INCERCARI/TIMP NR. INCERCARI/TIMP

a) Index I1 sample without nitrogen b) Index I1 sample with nitrogen

Figure 4. I1 Chart variation

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Given that Graham R1 index is the fire index that presents variation compared to the
temperature in the furnace respectively concentration of CO, results that it follows the
spontaneous combustion. From the two graphs it is observed that the index I1 follows closely
R1 index variation.
If the phenomenon of spontaneous combustion modeling, using nitrogen inertisation, it is
noted that the variation in the index I1 is symmetric with R1 index variation in the terms
process development without nitrogen inertisation, the fact that the index I1 varies fairly with
R1 index.

CO 2
5.3.2. Index I2 I 2 
CO

a) Sample without nitrogen b) Sample with nitrogen

Indice I2 CO2/CO -PROBA FARA AZOT VARIATIE INDICE I2 -PROBA CU AZOT

1600 7000
1400 6000
1200 5000
1000 4000

I2
Series2
800 Indice I2 3000
600 2000
400 1000
200 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 NR.INCERCARI /TIMP

a) Index I2 sample without nitrogen b) Index I2 sample with nitrogen

Figure 5. I2 Chart variation

From the diagrams, it is noted that the index I2 varies inversely related with the index R1 so
that the maximum value of the index R1 corresponds to the minimum value of the index I2.
Modeling application with nitrogen to coal sample index I2 is inversely proportional to the
index R1, so that the minimum value of the index corresponding to the maximum value R 1
index I2 which tends asymptotically to the abscissa axis.

5.3.3. Index I3 I 3  CO
H2

a) Sample without nitrogen b) Sample with nitrogen

Variatie I3 CO/H2 -PROBA FARA AZOT Variatia I3 CO/H2 PROBA CU AZOT

600000 18000
16000
500000 14000
400000 12000
10000
I3
I3

300000 8000

200000 6000
4000
100000 2000
0
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
NR.INCERCARI&TIMP
nr.incercari/timp

b) Index I3 sample with nitrogen

a) Index I3 sample without nitrogen

Figure 6. I3 Chart variation

From the charts above was observed for both cases that index I3 follows the path of R1 index
variation.

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5.3.4. Index I4 I 4  CO 2
H2

a) Sample without nitrogen b) Sample with nitrogen

VARIATIA INDICELUI I4 CO2/H2 - PROBA FARA AZOT Variatia indicelui I 4 CO2/H2 -PROBA CU AZOT

800000 40000
700000 35000
600000 30000
500000 25000
I4

I4
400000 20000
300000 15000
200000 10000
100000 5000
0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
nr.incercari/timp nr.incercari/timp

a) Index I4 sample without nitrogen b) Index I4 sample with nitrogen

Figure 7. I4 Chart variation

The nitrogen-free sample from I4 index diagrams results that, it follows accurately the path of
the index R1 in the phase of evolution and involution during the process of spontaneous
combustion. With nitrogen inertisation, I4 index variation has a similar behavior index
variation R1.

C 2H 4
5.3.5. Index I5 I 5 
H2
a) sample without nitrogen b) Sample withnitrogen
VARIATIA INDICELUI I5 C2H4/H2 -PROBA FARA AZOT

?
200
180
160
140
120
I5

100
80
60
40
20
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
nr. incercari/timp

a) Index I5 sample without nitrogen b) Index I5 nitrogen sample

Figure 8. I5 Chart variation

From the diagram shown previously there is a change in the of the index I5 inversely
proportional to the change in the index R1. Also, a linearization curve of I5 index in the second
phase of the evolution of R1.
In the case of inerted coal sample given that the phenomenon developed only up to a certain
temperature threshold it was not possible to achieve a variation in the index I5 compared to
R1 .

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C 2H 2
5.3.6. Index I6 I 6 
H2
a) Sample wothout nitrogen b) Sample with nitrogen
Variatia indicelui I 6 C2H2/H2 - PROBA FARA AZOT

?
200
180
160
140
120
I6

100
80
60
40
20
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
nr.incercari/timp

a) Index I6 sample without nitrogen b) Index I6 nitrogen sample

Figure 9. I6 Chart variation

From the charts, there is a change in the index I6, inversely proportional to the change in the
index R1, especially early in the evolution process of spontaneous combustion. For the inerted
sample I6 index behaves similarly as the index I5 being unable to record a comparative
variation R1.

5.3.7. Index I7 I 7  C 2 H 4
C 2H 2

a) sample without nitrogen b) sample with nitrogen

Variatia indicelui I 7 C2H4/C2H2 PROBA FARA AZOT Variatia indicelui I 7 C2H4/C2H2 -PROBA CU AZOT

25000 35
30
20000
25
15000 20
I7
I7

15
10000
10
5000 5

0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3

nr.incercari/timp nr.incercati /timp

b) Index I7 sample with nitrogen

a) Index I7 sample without nitrogen

Figure 10. I7 Chart variation

The analysis chart shows that the index I7 index varies inversely related with changes in R1.
For nitrogen inerted sample I7 index varies proportionally with the index R1. Due to
insufficient data, I7 index variation in these conditions is uncertain.

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5.3.8. Index I8 qCO = Ci . Q . 10-3 l/min 

a) sample without nitrogen b) sample with nitrogen

Variatia indicelui I8 qco= C*Q/1000 [ l/min] proba fara azot Variatia indicelui I8 qCO= C*Q/1000

8 1.2
7
1
6

I 8 qCO [l/min]
0.8
I 8 [ q CO]

5
4 0.6
3
0.4
2
1 0.2

0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
nr.incercari/timp nr. incercari/timp

a) Index I8 sample without nitrogen b) Index I8 sample with nitrogen

Figure 11. I8 Chart variation

From the diagrams presented, in both cases, there is an accurate variation in the index q CO
compared with the index R1, both during development and in the phase of involution of the
phenomenon of spontaneous combustion.

6. CONCLUSIONS

Following the comparative analysis of possibilities to use new fire indices used in both
normal and under nitrogen inertisation in relation to the process of spontaneous combustion
resulted the following:
1. In normal development of spontaneous combustion process can be used the I1, I2, I3, I4, I7
and I8 with high certainty, and indexes I5 and I6 with a high degree of uncertainty;
2. In the case of conducting the phenomenon of spontaneous combustion under nitrogen
inertisation, the I1, I3, and I8 indices can be used with high certainty, I2 and I7 indices can
be used with high uncertainty, and indexes I5 and I6 are recommended for use.

REFERENCES

[1] Matei I., Cioclea D., Toth, I. - Prevention of spontaneous combustion in coal mining of exploitation
method with bench undermined, AGORA Publishing House, 2004.
[2] Tomescu C., Project PN- 07 45 02 32 - Research on the identification of new indices used fire in terms of
applying nitrogen inerting technology, INSEMEX Study, 2012 – 2013.
[3] Tomescu C., Project PN- 07 45 02 53 -Innovative technology for testing parameters of coal self-ignition,
Program Nucleu, INSEMEX Study, 2015.

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