Investigation on methane emission in Indian coal mines

This paper provides salient observations on methane emission investigations in Indian mines. The resultant data indicate that insignificant rate of emission of methane from coal seams ins by itself no assurance of safety against gas hazards. Thorough search for locale and extent of accumulation of methane in mines is required to be carried out as a necessary safeguard against any possible risk of ignition. Besides firedamp survey a study on build up of methane on a planned stoppage of mechanical ventilators would be of great help to get an idea of the necessary preventive measures to be adopted in case of any accidental stoppage of fans. The study indicates that the determination of methane content of coals, borehole emission rates along with accurate qualitative and quantitative assessment of the mine air should provide sufficient information to help developing a system for proper categorization of Indian coal seams with respect to their gassiness