Methane explosions occur in mines when a buildup of methane gas, a byproduct of coal, comes into contact with a heat source, and there is not enough air to dilute the gas to levels below its explosion point, said Yi Luo, an associate professor of mining engineering at West Virginia University.
How do explosions occur in mines?
Explosions in underground mines and surface processing facilities are caused by accumulations of flammable gas and/or combustible dust mixed with air in the presence of an ignition source.
Do land mines explode immediately?
AP mines are capable of disabling or killing their targets instantly. These mines are triggered by pressure, tripwires or remote detonators. These are buried no more than a few centimeters below the ground. They are usually triggered when someone steps on the pressure plates.
How far do mines explode?
Area effect bounding mines
The balls or metal shards within the mine are projected over a minimum radius of 82 feet at an angle of 360°, killing within a range of 115 feet or more, and causing serious injury at a distance of over 328 feet.
What is a mine explosive?
mine, in military and naval operations, a usually stationary explosive device that is designed to destroy personnel, ships, or vehicles when the latter come in contact with it.
How can we prevent mine explosions?
Prevention of coal mine explosions requires a suite of control strategies, including sustaining a properly designed ventilation system, adequate sealing of abandoned areas, aggressive and frequent monitoring of methane, reduction of coal dust accumulations, and control of potential ignition sources through electrical
What causes explosions in underground coal mines?
The most common fuel sources for explosions in underground mines are flammable gases and explosive dust. In coal mining flammable gases can be present as a seam gas, or produced as a result of oxidation or distillation of coal.
Is it possible to survive a landmine?
Only two of them survived. Standing still or attempting to run from the S-mine would be equally dangerous. The most effective way to survive the mine’s detonation would not be to flee but to fall to the ground lying face down as quickly as possible.
Can you outrun a landmine?
You cannot outrun a mine, particularly a bounding mine that uses a primary charge to lift the mine out of the ground, before detonating a secondary charge that scatters metal balls or shrapnel in all directions. These pieces can be expected to travel faster than a rifle round and may go in any direction.
What happens if you stand on a landmine?
TIL when stepped on a landmine it never makes a soft “click” and explode after the pressure is lifted like in the movies. It explodes the moment you step on it.
How long can a landmine stay active?
50 years
Landmines are generally buried 6 inches (15 centimeters) under the surface or simply laid above ground. Buried landmines can remain active for more than 50 years. Landmines come in two categories, anti-personnel landmines and anti-tank landmines.
Can you pick up a landmine?
Once triggered and/or disarmed, the Landmine can be picked up by another player, the player has to stay there until another player comes to pick up the landmine. The Landmine goes off only after the player/entity steps OFF of it. It does not go off instantly as it is stepped on.
How much weight triggers a landmine?
Landmines are usually designed to attack either tanks and vehicles (anti-tank mines) or people (AP mines). Anti-tank mines usually contain between 2 and 9 kg of explosive, and their fusing mechanism requires a pressure of about 100-300 kg to activate it.
Do mines explode when you step on them?
There is a common misperception that a landmine is armed by stepping on it and only triggered by stepping off, providing tension in movies. In fact the initial pressure trigger will detonate the mine, as they are designed to kill or maim, not to make someone stand very still until it can be disarmed.
What is the process of blasting?
blasting, process of reducing a solid body, such as rock, to fragments by using an explosive. Conventional blasting operations include (1) drilling holes, (2) placing a charge and detonator in each hole, (3) detonating the charge, and (4) clearing away the broken material.
Are landmines waterproof?
While some blast AP mines are still made of metal or wood, most are manufactured of plastic. This makes them water resistant or waterproof, and dangerous even when submerged.
Where did the worst mining disaster occur?
The Monongah mining disaster of Monongah, West Virginia occurred on December 6, 1907, and has been described as “the worst mining disaster in American history”. 362 miners were killed.
Is coal dust explosive?
Fine bituminous coal dust is highly explosive when suspended in air. In a typical coal dust explosion, the dust is scoured by a small methane gas explosion, which also provides the initiating flame.
How fire is control in coal mines?
Injection of inert gases and foams. Injecting inert gases is normal method to prevent and control coal seam fire because inert gases can be obtained easily and cheaply. However, in many cases, inert gases cannot be kept around the fire area for a long time.
Is mining explosion a natural hazard?
Man-Made Major Hazards Like Earthquake or Explosion; Case Study, Turkish Mine Explosion (13 May 2014) – PMC.
What gas is responsible for most of the explosions in coal mines?
Methane (CH4)
Methane (CH4) is the principle combustible gas found in coal mines. What is the explosive range of methane-air mixtures? 5 to 15 percent of methane in air is explosive.
