The Characteristics of Methane Combustion Suppression by Water Mist and Its Engineering Applications

Rongkun Pan, Zejun Xiao and Minggao Yu
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Rongkun Pan: Department of Safety & Science Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454003, China
Zejun Xiao: Department of Safety & Science Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454003, China
Minggao Yu: Department of Safety & Science Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454003, China

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 10, 1-14

Abstract: To safely mine coal, engineers must prevent gas combustion and explosions, as well as seek feasible and reasonable techniques to control for these types of incidents. This paper analyzes the causes and characteristics of methane combustion and explosions. Water mist is proposed to prevent and control methane combustion in an underground confined space. We constructed an experiment platform to investigate the suppression of methane combustion using water mist for different conditions. The experimental results showed that water mist is highly effective for methane flame inhibition. The flame was extinguished with water mist endothermic cooling. However, the annular regions of water vapor around the fire played a vital role in flame extinction. Water from the evaporating mist replaces the oxygen available to the fuel. Additionally, the time required for fuel ignition is prolonged. For these reasons, the water particle action to flame surface is reinforced and the fuel’s reaction with air is delayed. As a result, flame stretching and disturbances occur, which serve to extinguish the flame. Engineering application tests were carried out in the goaf, drill hole and upper-corner to investigate the prevention and control of methane gas combustion, with the results showing a good application effect.

Keywords: methane gas combustion; water mist; prevent and control; flame stretch; gas disaster (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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