SPOTANEOUS COMBUSTION

Spontaneous heating
Certain materials have tendency to self heat due to
oxidation process, if the heat produced is faster than the
rate at which it is dissipated to environment, self heating
results.
Unlike exogenous fires, endogenous fires are not
spontaneous. They involve incubation period for
initiation-that may vary from few hours to months.
The most important example is spontaneous combustion
of coal.
Oxidation of coal is exothermic process and heat
liberated varies from 2.0 to 4.0 cal/ml of oxygen
consumed.
The heat generated by oxidation process increases the
temperature which in turn accelerates the oxidation
process until self ignition temperature is reached.
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

Spontaneous combustion continued.

During early stage of heating Co and Co2 are
evolved indicating incipient heating. Further rise
in temperature results in the formation of
Hydrogen and other hydrocarbons like ethylene
and propylene
A typical air sample may show serious
proportions of the following:
Firedamp
Carbon dioxide
Carbon monoxide
hydrogen
 SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

Factors effecting endogenous fire of coal:

Mining operations
Adiabatic compression of air due to sudden
roof falls
Heat generated due to mining machines
Crushing of coal and production of fines
during mining
Sluggish ventilation and other adverse
environmental conditions like presence of
adjacent fires, etc.
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SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

Seam characteristics
Thick seams (thickness greater than 5 m) would
have higher risk
Overlying seams have also higher risk
Overburden over 300 m may produce more
fractures in seams thereby increasing risk of
spontaneous heating
too little burden below 50 m is also risky as it
allows entry of air from surface to coal seam.
Fractured and crushed gateroad, parting are
also associated with higher risk of combustion
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SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

Seam characteristics continued..

Geologically disturbed seams with more cracks and

seams with high friability are liable to spontaneous
heating.
Presence of any fault, floor heaving, dykes result more
cracks in the vicinity thus complicating the
spontaneous heating problems.
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SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

Bacterial action:
Heating due to action of bacteria is possible
in wood at least up to 70 degree Celsius.
Presence of pyrite
It is a common phenomenon in pyrite
mines, coal contains pyrite in the form of
iron pyrite.
Heat is generated due to oxidation of
pyrite and as such it assists the
spontaneous combustion of coal
It causes heating when present in
considerable amounts and in very finely
divided stage.
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SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

Effect of Methods of extraction and ventilation

In case of longwall method, complete stowing helps in
reducing the risk of spontaneous combustion.
In room and pillar method corners of pillars due to highly
stressed areas pose risk.
Accumulation of powdered coal: accumulation of coal in
goaves, near pillars, etc increase the chances of self-heating
Ventilation:
Too little ventilation would not support aerial oxidation, and
too high ventilation would not allow accumulation of heat.
The optimum ventilation level for a particular mine would
depend on the heat transfer conditions.
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SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

Temperature:
High ambient temperature conditions caused due to
geothermal gradient, presence of hot springs or fire in
adjoining areas increase the risk of spontaneous heating.
Humidity:
Higher humidity increases the risk of spontaneous heating
but highly wet seams are safer than partially humid seams.
Gas emission:
Higher gas emission rates are favorable in reducing the
content of oxygen in goaves thus reducing oxidation rate.
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SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

Detection of Heating
Sound
Typical cracking sound indicative
Physical symptoms: of advancement of fire

Haze
During early stages of heating, the moisture is
released and water vapors come in contact with
cooler ventilation air and condensed making haze like
formation.
Smoke
Sweating of the strata Smoke can be observed
when there is active fire

It follows the haze like situation and droplets of water

are produced that can be seen on the roofs, walls and
timber supports.

Gob stink
It is tarry smell found in coal fire area, it is a warning
sign about spontaneous heating.
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SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

Fire indices:
Grahams Ratio
It is rate of production of Co or Co2 with that of oxygen
consumed.
1. Co/O2 deficiency or
2. Co2/O2 deficiency (Youngs ratio)

Grahams ratio increases with the intensity of heating

Fresh coal: Grahams ratio 0.5 to 1 represents and 2-10
represents a fire
Old coal: 1-2 represents a heating
10-20 represents a fire