ABSTRACT
To evaluate methane explosion hazards in longwall coal mines, researchers at the Colorado School of Mines have developed a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model, along with a 1/40th scaled, optically accessible model of an underground longwall mining section. In this project, CFD models assisted in the design of the physical model to ensure specifications were met for accurately representing the scaling physics as well as assist in narrowing the experimental matrix and identifying key locations for sensor placement to measure, flow, pressure, and gas concentrations. This procedure will help develop a mine wide methane monitoring system to improve methane ignition and explosion mitigation strategies in longwall coal operation.
