Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Roof coal
The layer immediately over the main coal seam. It may be coal of poor
quality or carbonaceous shale, and is frequently left in place during mining.
Seismic refraction survey
A method in which the detecting instruments are placed at a distance from
the seismic energy source that is large compared with the depth of the
subsurface layers. The seismic waves travel horizontal distances along
distinct interfaces; the travel time from source to receiver is related to the
depth of subsurface layers.
Spall
A relatively thin, commonly curved, and sharp-edged piece of rock produced
by exfoliation, pieces of rock, or coal that break off parallel to a surface.
Surface sealing
A relatively inexpensive method of controlling abandoned mine fires by
inhibiting ventilation of the fire zone. The exclusion of air and the accu-
mulation of combustion products suppress the rate of fire propagation.
Terrain conductivity
Electromagnetic conductivity of subsurface soil, groundwater, rock, and
objects buried in the ground.
Tomographic imaging
A seismic method to image a particular plane while leaving out undesired
detail in other planes.
Trench barrier
Constructed by excavating an open trench between the fire and the threa-
tened area and then backfilled with incombustible material, the trench
extends vertically from the surface to the bottom of the coal bed.
Water curtain
Continuous underground spraying of water through nozzles placed at the
bottom of a borehole; the borehole array is extensive enough to saturate a
designated portion of the mine.
Water injection
Placement of water within a fire zone, so that water saturated air will cool
the fire zone.
References
Chaiken, R.F., 1980. Controlled Burnout of Wasted Coal on Abandoned Coal Mine Lands. US Bureau of Mines RI
8478, 23 p.
Chaiken, R.F., 1983. Method for Controlled Burnout of Abandoned Coal Mines and Waste Banks. US Patent No.
4,387,655, June 14, 1983.
Chaiken R.F., Bayles, L.G., 1988. Burnout Control at the Albright Coal Waste Bank Fire. US Bureau of Mines RI
9345, 29.
Chaiken, R.F., Brennan, R., Heisey, B., Kim, A.G., Malenka, W., Schimmel, J., 1980. Problems in the Control of
the Centralia Mine fire. Washington, DC, Report to OSMRE, Interagency Agreement J5101026, 110 p.
Chaiken, R.F., Brennan, R., Heisey, B., Kim, A.G., Malenka, W., Schimmel, J., 1983. Problems in the Control of
Anthracite Mine Fires: A Case Study of the Centralia Mine Fire. US Bureau of Mines RI 8799, 93 p.
Chaiken, R.F., Dalverny, L.E., Kim, A.G. 1989. Calamity Hollow Mine Fire Project (in five parts), part 2,
Operation of the Burnout Control System. US Bureau of Mines RI 9421, 35 p.
Chaiken, R.F., Dalverny, L.E., Kim, A.G., 1996. Cryogenic slurry for extinguishing a coal waste bank fire.
Proceedings18th Annual Conference of the National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs.
Kalispell, Montana, September 15
313.
Chaiken, R.F., Divers, E.F., Kim, A.G., Soroka, K.E., 1984. Calamity Hollow Mine FireProject (in five parts), part
4, Quenching the Fire Zone. US Bureau of Mines RI 8863, 18 p.
Chaiken, R.F., Kim, A.G., Kociban. A.M., Slivon, J.P., 1994. Cryogenic Slurry for Extinguishing Underground
Fires. US Patent No. 5,368,105, November 29, 1994.
Chaiken, R.F., Singer, J.M., Lee, C.K., 1979. Model Coal Tunnel Fires in Ventilation Flow. US Bureau of Mines RI
8355, 32 p.
Cohen, K.K., Dalverny, L.E., 1995. Seismic characterization of a coal waste bank fire in Eastern Ohio as a tool to
aid reclamation. Proceedings 17th Annual Conference of the National Association of Abandoned Mine Land
Programs, French Lick, Indiana, October 15
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