Defination Methane is a colorless, odorless gas with a wide distribution in nature.

Methane in atmosphere up 140 %

Methane in Coal Mine released by exposing coal to air.

Sago Mine disaster iginated by lightning through solid ground to Methane gas.

Coal Bed Methane (CBM)

Coal Bed Methane

Coal Bed Methane EPA control in mines

CMM Coal Mine Methane future energy source

Ventilating a Coal Mine***

gob is a reservoir for Methane, such as an abandoned section of a mine.

Sago Mine accident result of lightning iginiting gob or sealed off worked out area.

gobs at History of Mining Nice website***

Coalwood mentioned coating over coal exposure to stop methane leakage

Coal Mine Dangers

a. Travel Mining History

b. everything2.com: cave-ins, collapses, fire, explosions, health risk, lack of oxygen

1. Methane

2. Roof collapse

3. Water-flooding

Methane Coal Mine Danger

What has been done in Coal Mines to eliminate:

1. Canaries in the Coal Mines

2. Ventilation of Methane to outside air

3. 1996 from MSHA -Methane liberation

Methane coal mine danger google

Methane control underground mines google

methane control (monitoring, ventilation and dust plans

Methane Degasification Systems EPA

Methane to market***

Coalbed Methane Outreach Program***

Methane recovery solutions****

CoalBed Methane recovery-Google***

Methane Grants

Raven Ridge Resource

coal methane recovery grant

Coal Mine Methane Recovery

Abandoned mine recovery***

CSIRO-Liquatech hybrid coal and gas turbine

Impoundments

Newspaper coverage

Coal impoundments-strip mines

FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS IN MINES

Rock Dusting to seal areas for Methane

Underground mining methods:

* A drift mine is driven horizontally into coal that is exposed or accessible in a hillside.

* In a room-and-pillar mining system
* In a longwall mining system
* A shortwall mining system

Roof support and mine ventilation are paramount in all underground mining operations. Roof bolting is the principal method of supporting the mine roof. In roof bolting, long bolts, 2 to 10 feet long with an expansion shell or with resin grouting are placed in the mine roof. The bolts reinforce the roof by pulling together rock strata to make a strong beam or by fastening weak strata to strong strata. Mine ventilation, accomplished with fans, is essential to supply fresh air and to remove gases and dust from the mine. To reduce the possibility of coal dust explosions, rock dust is sprayed in an underground coal mine. Rock dust is a very fine noncombustible material (pulverized limestone).

Mechanization of Appalachia

Rock dusting intented to control coal dust