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Mining Publication: Alternative Methodologies for Evaluating Explosion-resistant Mine Ventilation Seals
Keywords: Seals
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Original creation date: October 2003
Authors: MJ Sapko, ES Weiss, SP Harteis
Conference Paper - October 2003
Download PDF Document (6.07 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20023644
In Proceedings of the 30th International Conference of Safety in Mines Research Institutes. Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa: South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2003 Oct; :615-640
The Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently conducted full-scale explosion experiments; these experiments evaluated the strength characteristics of various seal designs used for safety isolating worked-out areas in underground coal mines. Large-scale explosion tests were conducted within the multiple entry section of PRL's Lake Lynn Experimental Mine (LLEM) employing the only currently accepted test method endorsed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for seal design in American mines. These explosion tests are labor-intensive, expensive to conduct, and can interfere with other critical underground safety and health research programs conducted by NIOSH. Therefore, the PRL has developed an alternative seal evaluation method, based on a hydrostatic pressure loading concept, that can facilitate the in-situ testing of seals in an operating mine. Two chambers within LLEM and one within the Safety Research Coal Mine (SRCM) were used for hydrostatic pressure loading various seal designs. The results from tests in these chambers compare favorably with those from the large-scale explosion tests in the multiple entries. Preliminary size-scaling relationships for predicting the strength of standard seal designs as a function of entry size is also presented. In addition to testing seal designs at the required 20 psi static pressure level, the new facilities also allow for the determination of the seal's ultimate failure pressure. This new approach shows promise as an alternative evaluation method for improving mine sealing technologies which, in turn, will enhance the safety of the underground personnel.
Image of publication Alternative Methodologies for Evaluating Explosion-resistant Mine Ventilation SealsConference Paper - October 2003
Download PDF Document (6.07 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20023644
In Proceedings of the 30th International Conference of Safety in Mines Research Institutes. Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa: South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2003 Oct; :615-640
See Also
Clearing the Air
Comparison of Methods: Dynamic Versus Hydrostatic Testing of Mine Ventilation Seals
Demonstration of Safety Plugging of Oil Wells Penetrating Appalachian Coal Mines
Explosion Pressure Design Criteria for New Seals in U.S. Coal Mines
Inflatable Partitions for High-Expansion Foam Generators
Progress Toward Improved Engineering of Seals and Sealed Areas of Coal Mines
Strength Characteristics and Air-Leakage Determinations for Alternative Mine Seal Designs
Strengthening Existing 20-psi Mine Ventilation Seals With Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement
Use of Ground Penetrating Radar and Schmidt Hammer Tests to Determine the Structural Integrity of a Mine Seal
Use of Pressure Swing Adsorption Technology to Inert Sealed Mine Areas with Nitrogen
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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