1 INERTISATION OF FIRES AND HEATINGS IN AUSTRALIAN MINES

An Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) funded research project has been examining use and potential applications of inertisation within the Australian coal mining industry. The project has reviewed the variety of inertisation system available in Australia and their technical specifications. Particular attention has been given to the GAG, Mine Shield, Tomlinson and Floxel approaches. Exercises which involved “evaluation or auditing ” of selected mines as to the ability to deliver inert gases generated from GAG units to high priority underground fire locations have been undertaken in a number of mines. These exercises have been built around the use of the fire simulation computer program “Ventgraph ” and modelling of fire scenarios in selected different mine layouts. A coding system has been developed from these audit exercises. Designs have been developed of high pressure/compressor fans to allow delivery of high volumes of inert gases down “emergency drilled ” mine bore holes of 200 to 3,000mm diameter. Information about available borehole sizes has been gathered from drillin