Krukovskyi O.Р., Adorska L.H. Analysis of the circumstances of methane explosions at the mines of Ukraine

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Parent Category: Geo-Technical Mechanics, 2021

Category: Geo-Technical Mechanics, 2021, Issue 157

Geoteh. meh. 2021, 157, 48-61

https://doi.org/10.15407/geotm2021.157.048

 

ANALYSIS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF METHANE EXPLOSIONS AT THE MINES OF UKRAINE

¹Krukovskyi O.Р., ¹Adorska L.H.

¹Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics named by N. Poljakov of NAS of Ukraine

UDC 622.267.52

Language: Ukrainian

Abstract. The article analyzes and summarizes the circumstances of methane explosions in mines of Ukraine over the past 50 years, which occurred as a result of the formation of dangerous methane concentrations in the outgoing jets of mining areas. Both explosions in excavation areas and explosions associated with gas contamination of areas that occurred outside of them were reflected. The typification of methane explosions is carried out and the schemes of their occurrence are determined, the classification of which is based on the causes of the formation of an explosive atmosphere. These include explosions: in mined-out areas, in case of ventilation disturbances, in local accumulations of methane, in the degassing of areas after ventilation disturbances, in the degassing of dead-end workings within excavation areas, with increased gas release, as well as explosions caused by gas contamination of excavation areas that arose behind their limits. It has been established that the main reasons for the formation of an explosive atmosphere in mining areas during methane explosions are disturbances in ventilation, accumulation of methane in mined-out areas and the formation of local accumulations. Data on the most serious accidents from methane explosions in the history of the coal industry in Ukraine are given separately. It is concluded that stationary automatic equipment for monitoring the concentration of methane does not always make it possible to recognize a hazardous situation in mining areas in case of disturbances in ventilation and due to other causes of gas pollution. Several other gas-dynamic phenomena that have occurred in recent years have also been analyzed; these include endogenous fires from spontaneous combustion of coal during mining operations in an extremely stressed coal-rock mass. As recommendations, it was noted that to improve the efficiency of air-gas control and reduce the likelihood of methane explosions, the following measures are advisable: control of air consumption in mining areas of mines of category III for methane and higher, monitoring of carbon monoxide in the initial ventilation jets of mining areas during the development of coal seams prone to spontaneous combustion, improving the organization of notification of underground personnel about cases of gas contamination of mine workings.
Keywords: coal mines, mining areas, methane, explosions, endogenous fires

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About the authors:

Krukovskyi Oleksandr Petrovych, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Technical Sciences (D.Sc.), Deputy Director of the institute, Head of Department of Rock Mechanics, Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics named by N. Poljakov of National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Dnipro, Ukraine,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Adorska Larysa Heorhiivna, Ph.D., Senior Researcher, Senior Researcher of the Department of Rock Mechanics, Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics named by N. Poljakov of National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Dnipro, Ukraine,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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