PURPOSE:  The purpose of this research is to test, evaluate, improve or modify remote fire fighting methodologies for coal mine fire control and suppression and to directly transfer these improvements and modifications to the coal mining industry.

RESEARCH SUMMARY:  Mine fires constitute one of the greatest threats to the health and safety of those working in an underground mine. Unlike other types of mining accidents where an incident generally involves only a few workers, the danger of a mine fire extends to every person working in the underground environment. This research effort will be conducted in four phases over a three-year period. The first phase will be the completion of testing of remote mine seal technology initiated previously under a Small NORA project at the NIOSH Lake Lynn Laboratory. This work will include the evaluation of rigid foam (polyurethane and phenolic foam technology) and a combination of cement and rigid foam based technology. Phase 2 will involve the testing of inert gas and gas-enhanced foam against commonly used suppression technology. Large-scale, controlled deep-seated coal fire tests will be conducted. Fire gases, and heat build-up and release will be continuously monitored as each suppression technology is applied to determine fire suppression mechanics and if technology modifications are needed. The third phase of the work will involve testing of jet engine exhaust technology for mine fire suppression. Controlled, large-scale, deep-seated coal fires will be built underground and a jet engine will be coupled to the mine ventilation system via the fan shaft or a drift opening for fire suppression. The complete suite of jet engine exhaust gases will be monitored along with fire heat build-up and release. In addition, heat build-up and moisture loss will be monitored in the rock mass (or via instrumented samples placed near the jet engine exhaust) to determine the effects of heat on mine void and rock mass degradation. The final phase of this effort will operate concurrently with the other phases. This phase of the work is reserved for a full suite of technology transfer efforts (publications, seminars, etc.) and possibly the development of future work aimed at further refining the technology. It is anticipated that this work will provide the mining industry and regulatory officials with a comprehensive understanding of the mine conditions needed for proper application of fire suppression technologies and knowledge of the overall limitations of each technology.