Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
Search
            ×
                        Mining
                        Mining
                            NIOSH
                            All CDC
                    Submit
                For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
                Advanced Search
            Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Publication: Degasification of the Mary Lee Coalbed, Brookwood, Ala
Keywords: Alabama Coal mining Horizontal boreholes Methane
Original creation date: January 1982
Authors: JH Perry, LJ Prosser, J Cervik
Report of Investigations - January 1982
Download PDF Document (0.80 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 10002363
Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, RI-8669, 1982 Jan; :1-13
The Bureau of Mines has developed several techniques for draining methane from coalbeds in advance of mining. Drilling long horizontal holes from an underground location is one such technique, which was successfully demonstrated in the Pittsburgh and Sunnyside coalbeds. The same technique has now been applied in the Mary Lee coalbed at Jim Walter Resources, Inc. S No. 4 Mine, Brookwood, Alabama, Where two holes were drilled horizontally--one to a depth of 1,010 feet (308 m) and the other to 540 feet (165 m). The 1,010-foot (308- m) hole proved successful in degasifying a portion of the Mary Lee coalbed. The hole drained methane for 1 year, during which time the initial gas flow of 200,000 ft3/d (5,663 m3/d) declined to 65,000 ft3/d (1,840 m3/d). Total gas production was 40 x 106 ft3 (1.1 X 106 m3). The gas was of commercial quality, with 98 pct methane and a heat rating of 990 btu/ft3 (36.89 Mj/m3). The methane emissions from the faces of the mine section advancing into the degasified zone were reduced by 60 pct. The 540-foot (165-m) hole was terminated prematurely when it became impossible to maintain an open hole. Because of caving, very little gas was drained through this hole.
Image of publication Degasification of the Mary Lee Coalbed, Brookwood, AlaReport of Investigations - January 1982
Download PDF Document (0.80 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 10002363
Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, RI-8669, 1982 Jan; :1-13
See Also
Development and Application of Reservoir Models and Artificial Neural Networks for Optimizing Ventilation Air Requirements in Development Mining of Coal Seams
Guidelines for the Control and Monitoring of Methane Gas on Continuous Mining Operations
Investigation of Similarities Between Methane Drainage Potential of Utah's Sunnyside Coalbed and Eastern U.S. Coalbeds
Methane Emission Rate Studies in a Northern West Virginia Mine
Methane Gas Content of the Mary Lee Group of Coalbeds, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, and Walker Counties, Ala.
Peak Methane Concentrations During Coal Mining: An Analysis
Remote Methane Sensors
Reservoir Rock Properties of Coal Measure Strata of the Lower Monongahela Group, Greene County (Southwestern Pennsylvania), from Methane Control and Production Perspectives
Rotary Drilling Techniques Used in the Beckley Coalbed
Stochastic Modeling of Gob Gas Venthole Production Performances in Active and Completed Longwall Panels of Coal Mines
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate Mining
        Site BrowserSafety and Health TopicsData & StatisticsMethodologyMine DisastersMSHA Data FilesMine & Mineworker ChartsTools & PublicationsTools You Can UsePublicationsNews & ArticlesResearch ProgramNORA Mining CouncilStrategic PlanMining Program, 2019-2023Miner Health Program, 2020-2030ProjectsContractsFunding OpportunitiesMining LinksAbout UsContact NIOSH MiningEmploymentFacilitiesHistoryVisitor Information NIOSH Homepage
 NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue