Mining Publication: Designs for Rapid in Situ Sealing

• Explosions
• Seals

The NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL), in collaboration with the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the mining industry, and seal manufacturers, conducted a series of full- scale experiments within PRL's Experimental Mine and at Lake Lynn Laboratory. The purpose of the experiments was to evaluate the explosion-resistant characteristics of several new seal designs for rapid deployment during mine emergencies. These seals can be deployed in less than 12 hours and are capable of withstanding explosion overpressures in excess of 140 kPa (20 psi). These novel seal designs use available mine materials, do no require conventional rib hitching and, more importantly, can substantially reduce exposure time for coal miners during sealing and mine recovery operations.