Improved Ventilation and Use of Respirators to Allow Safe Mining during Release of Coal Seam Hydrogen Sulphide
Abstract
Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S) has been encountered within a number of Bowen Basin collieries, Central Queensland, Australia. High concentration occurrence during mining of a longwall panel raises a number of potential problems which demand greater understanding to allow efficient mining while maintaining safe and healthy environmental conditions. Mine ventilation approaches to allow safe working through control of the mine atmosphere and use of respirator filters are described. Computer ventilation network simulation models of the various alternative ventilation approaches with H₂S variations are developed, fan capacity examined and alternatives costed. Filters represent a cost-effective and safe way (in the short term) for miners to work in a potentially lethal environment. A series of laboratory tests were undertaken under conditions simulated to represent the mine H₂S laden atmosphere in order to establish safe operating limits for some filter types available. It was demonstrated that the cartridge type filters far exceeded their assumed life and the Racal EP3 combination type filter can be used in conjunction with other filters on the Racal turbo unit for a conservatively estimated total of nine 8 hour shifts.
Recommended Citation
S. Gillies et al., "Improved Ventilation and Use of Respirators to Allow Safe Mining during Release of Coal Seam Hydrogen Sulphide," Proceedings of the 11th U.S./North American Mine Ventilation Symposium (2006, University Park, PA), Jun 2006.
Meeting Name
11th U.S./North American Mine Ventilation Symposium (2006: Jun. 5-7, University Park, PA)
Department(s)
Mining Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Australia; Hydrogen Sulphide; Mines; Ventilation
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Publication Date
07 Jun 2006
