Application of nitrogen as preventive and controlling subsurface fire - Indian Context

The application of liquid/gaseous nitrogen, which inhibits combustion for preventing, controlling and extinguishing mine fires, is now universally accepted for last 50 y. This paper presents the scientific relevance and selective criteria for use of N2 in subsurface fire and reviews experiences of N2 use in Indian coalmines for more than 20 y. The different techniques of N2 production, its advantages and disadvantages are described briefly. A case study of using N2 as a preventive material, in goaf area of working panels of blasting gallery (BG) method of mining is also highlighted