Coal Mine

GASES
Contents
A. Air 05

B. Gases 06
Hydrogen 06
Methane 07
Carbon Monoxide 08
Nitrogen 10
Ethylene 11
Ethane 12
Oxygen 13
Hydrogen Sulphide 14
Carbon Dioxide 16
Nitrogen Dioxide 18
Sulphur Dioxide 19

C. Spontaneous Combuston 20
Fire Ladder 21

D. Damps 22
Gas Evoluton Chart 24
E. Miscellaneous Gases 25
F. Measuring Air Quantty 27
G. Calculatng Gas Makes 31
CO Make 31
General Gas Make 32

H. Other Ratos 33
Grahams Rato 33
CO/CO Rato 34
Youngs Rato 35
Jones-Trickets Rato 36
Air-free Interpretaton 37


I. Charts & Diagrams 39
Cowards Triangle 39
Ellicots Diagram 41
Explosibility Matrix 43

J. Acknowledgements 47
Contents
1. Name of the Gas
2. Chemical Symbol
3. Specifc Gravity
4. Characteristcs
5. Compositon
6. Legal Limit
7. Efect on a Person
8. Combustbility
9. Flammable Limits
10. Detecton
11. Where Found in a Mine
HOW THE GAS INFORMATION
WILL BE DISPLAYED
1. Air
2. Nil
3. 1
4. Colourless, Odourless, & Tasteless
5. Unpolluted air is a mixture of:
Gas Volume
Oxygen 20.93%
Nitrogen 78.11%
Carbon Dioxide 0.03%
Inert Gases 0.93%
Water Vapour Variable
6. N/A
7. Non Toxic
8. Supports Combuston
9. Non-Flammable
10. Detecton: N/A
11. Ventlated Workings
REMARKS:
Will be found in Compressed Air Lines & C.A.B.A Suits.
A. Air
B. Gases
1. Hydrogen
2. H
3. 0.07
4. Colourless, Odourless and Tasteless
5. An element
6. Nil
7. Non-poisonous, but does not support life
8. Burns with a bluish fame in air or O
2
and forms water vapour
9. Explosive range is 4 to 74%
10. Gas chromatography
11.Behind seals, water gas, batery charging, reacton between acidic
water and galvanised pipe, spontaneous combuston, mine fres
and afer damp
Remarks: Hydrogen is now known to be present in background
concentratons in mines and like carbon monoxide increasing trends
beyond normal needs to be monitored for.
B. Gases

1. Methane
2. CH
3. 0.55
4. Colourless & Tasteless. Normally Odourless but when mixed with
associated fammable gases can have a sweet pleasant smell.
5. A compound of carbon and hydrogen.
6. Diesel out 1% Power of 1.25% Evacuate 2.5% (Queensland)
7. Non-poisonous, but does not support life
8. (a) 0 to 5% burn near heat source
(b) above 14% burns in air with blue fame forming carbon dioxide
and water vapour.
9. Explosive range is 5 to 14% Most easily ignited at 7.5% Most
explosive mixture 9.46%
10. Infrared analyser, thermal conductvity methanometers, catalytc
combuston methanometers, Gas chromatography. Human
senses with high % (visual), and by the ripple efect on the beam
of a cap lamp
11. Seam gas, fre damp, afer damp, sealed areas, heatngs, foor
strata or blowers.
Remarks:
Owing to its low density, you will fnd methane layering at the roof
and cavites.

Gases (Continued)
1.Carbon Monoxide

2. CO
3. 0.97
4. Colourless, Odourless, & Tasteless
5. A compound of carbon and oxygen
6. TWA = 30ppm
7. Highly insidious poison, displacing oxygen from the blood, thus
depriving the brain and vital organs of oxygen. The blood will
absorb CO 300 tmes more than O. Sudden exposure to cool,
fresh air may accelerate the onset of symptoms.

Blood Saturaton Observable signs
10-20% Becoming unresponsive, slight tension in forehead
20-40% Aggressive, unsteady, slow, severe headache,
nausea, reduced vision, weakness in legs
40-60% Muddled senses, rapid pulse gasping, convulsions,
collapse at rest
60-80% Slow, weak pulse and respiraton
Coma as death follows.
Carbon Monoxide (Contnued)
8. Burns with bluish fame in air forming carbon dioxide
9. Explosive range is 12.5 to 74% - Most explosive is 29%
10. Detector tubes, electrochemical sensor, infrared analyser and
gas chromatography
11. Incomplete oxidaton of any carbonaceous material, low
temperature oxidatons of coal, spontaneous combuston and coal
fres. Afer methane or coal dust explosion, where smoke is
visible, diesel exhaust, shot fring and in most normal mine return
airways and sealed areas.
12. Ofen found higher in the roadways due to heat
Gases (Continued)

Gases (Continued)

1.Nitrogen


2. N
2

3. 0.97
4. A consttuent of air = 78.11% Colourless, Odourless and
Tasteless
5. An element
6. None
7. Non-poisonous but does not support life. Under excess
pressure (such as diving under water) it can dissolve in the blood
causing Nitrogen Narcosis.
8. Incombustble in air
9. Non-fammable
10. Gas chromatography
11. Consttuent of air and some damps

REMARKS:
Important to accurately detect Nitrogen when calculatng ratos such
as Grahams rato.
The use of Nitrogen as an inertsing gas can compromise the use of
many ratos.
Gases (Continued)

1. Ethylene
2. CH
3. 0.975
4. Colourless, sweet odour & Tasteless
5. A compound of Carbon and Hydrogen
6. NonePlease refer to your Mines TARP for acton
7. Non-toxic
8. Flammable
9. Explosive range is 2.7% to 36.0%
10. Gas chromatography
11.Indicatve of mine heatngs or fre. Can cause interference on
Drager CO tube if no pre-tube used.
Gases (Continued)
1. Ethane
2. CH
3. 1.048
4. Colourless & Odourless
5. A compound of Carbon and Hydrogen
6. None
7. Non-toxic
8. Flammable
9. 3.0% to 12.5%
10. Gas Chromotography
11. Can be naturally occurring as a consttuent of seam gas. Can
cause interference on Drager CO tube if no pre-tube is used.
Gases (Continued)
1. Oxygen
2. O
3. 1.11
4. Consttuent of normal air @ 20.93% Colourless, Odourless, &
Tasteless
5. An Element
6. 19% in Queensland
7. Essental to Life. Defciency leads to:
16% -Tightness of the forehead with exerton.
12% -Considerable increase breathing rate and depth, especially
with exerton.
10% -Nausea and headaches. Lips turn blue, person may
collapse.
8% -Heart Palpitaton, mental confusion, collapse
7% -Rapid unconsciousness, death usually follows

8. Essental to Combuston
-Lowering O to 17% extnguishes oil fres
-Lowering O to 12% extnguishes A Class fre
-Lowering O to 2% all combuston ceases
9. Nil but will support combuston
10. Detecton by electrochemical sensor (partal pressure and
Volumetric), gas chromatography, paramagnetc cells.
1. Hydrogen Sulphide
2. H
2
S
3. 1.19
4. Colourless but has a powerful roten egg odour and a sweetsh
taste
5. A compound of Hydrogen and Sulphur
6. TWA - 10ppm, STEL = 15ppm in Queensland
7. H
2
S is an irritant to the mucous membranes of the eyes, upper
respiratory tract, central nervous system - desensitsing the nose
(smell is unreliable because of olfactory fatgue) and interfering
with the uptake of O in the muscles.

Percentage Physiological efect
0.01% Irritaton to eyes, respiratory tract and severe
headache
0.02% Within ten mins, intense irritaton of the eyes and
throat becoming unbearable afer 30 mins.
0.05% Highest % that can be breathed without causing
death. Within 30 mins. faintng, cold sweats, nasal
catarrh, coughing, palpitatons, muscular weakness.
0.06% Conjunctvits, bronchits, pains in the chest
0.07% Highly dangerous to human life. Depression,
stupor, unconsciousness and death.
Gases (Continued)
Hydrogen Sulphide (Contnued)
8. Burns with blue fame in air forming SO
2
and water vapour
9. Explosive range is 4.5% to 45%
10. Human senses smell (but unreliable), reacts with sweat on skin,
tube detectors, electrochemical sensor.
11. Seam gas (especially where Sulphides are present in the coal
produced in mine by acid water on sulphides.



Remarks: Hydrogen sulphide poisoning may be delayed and bronchi-
tis and conjunctivitis may occur some time afterwards.
Gases (Continued)
1.Carbon Dioxide

2. CO
2

3. 1.53
4. Consttuent of air = 0.03% Colourless, slight pungent odour and
soda water taste
5. A compound of carbon and oxygen
6. 1.25% in Queensland (can be up to 3% under certain conditons)
7. High concentraton of CO
2
acts as a stmulant on the nervous
system , partcularly the respiratory control centre of the brain.
CO
2
is approximately 20 tmes more soluble in the blood than
oxygen and difusion is rapid

Percentage Physiological Efects
0.50% 5% Increase in respiratory rate
2.00% 50% Increase in respiratory rate
3.00% 100% Increase in respiratory rate, pantng on exerton
5.00% 300% Increase in respiratory rate
10.00% Violent headaches and fatgue merely from breathing
10-15% Intolerable pantng, and collapse within a short period
15-30% Rapid collapse, breathing ceases and death follows
Gases (Continued)
Carbon Dioxide (Contnued)

8. Incombustble. Will not support combuston
9. Non-fammable
10. Detector tubes, electrochemical sensor, infrared analyser
and gas chromatograph. A human will feel warmer due to
the insulatng propertes of CO2 . This is why this gas is
sometmes known as HOT GAS". A rapid increase in
breathing will commence.
11. Consttuent of air. Found in seam gas and some damps,
respiraton of humans, oxidaton of coal, diesel exhausts, shot
fring, early stages of heatng.
Gases (Continued)
1. Nitrogen Dioxide
2. NO
2

3. 1.6
4. Reddish-brown in colour, has an acrid smell, acidic taste
5. A compound of Nitrogen and Oxygen
6. TWA - 3 ppm, STEL = 5ppm in Queensland
7. Highly poisonous irritant to the lungs and air passages.


PPM Physiological efect

40 Detected by smell and tolerated for several hours
100 Least amount able to cause coughing.
Seriously irritates the respiratory passage
150 Great discomfort. Systems of acute
Bronchi-pneumonia develops several hours afer
exposure
200 Can cause dangerous illness if contnually inhaled.

8. Not fammable but will support combuston
9. Non -fammable
10. Tube detectors, electrochemical sensor. Human senses: reddish
brown colour, acrid smell and acidic taste.
11. Afer shot fring, diesel engines, coal dust explosions
Gases (Continued)
1. Sulphur Dioxide

2. SO
3. 2.26
4. Colourless, pungent, sufocatng odour, intolerable acidic
taste.
5. A compound of Sulphur and Oxygen
6. TWA - 2 ppm, STEL = 5ppm
7. Poisonous mainly by irritatng the eyes and respiratory
passages.

PPM Physiological Efect

3ppm Least quantty detectable by its odour
100ppm Very uncomfortable to breathe, irritatng efect
on eyes and respiratory passages
500ppm Dangerous to life for short exposures

8. Incombustble
9. Non-fammable
10. Tube detectors, electrochemical sensors, human senses,
smells and taste.
11. Found in mines if oxidaton occurs, with sulphide deposits in
the coal, diesel exhausts
Gases (Continued)


When coal heats, certain gases are
generated at characteristc temperatures -
i.e. The Fire Ladder.

The order of appearance varies from coal
to coal, but the frst gas generated is
carbon dioxide (CO). Next is carbon
monoxide (CO), then followed by the
products of low temperature oxidaton,
methane (CH), hydrogen (H), ethane
(CH) and ethylene (CH).
Finally, as the coal reaches higher
temperatures, the larger hydrocarbon
fragments; C, hydrocarbons then
C hydrocarbons, then C etc. are
produced.
C. SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION
(Mine Gases)

Fire Ladder
At higher temperatures,
it is possible for
sufcient quanttes of
these gases to be
produced, that an
explosive atmosphere is
generated

Fire Damp
A combustble or fammable gas formed by the decompositon or distlla-
ton of coal or any other carbonaceous mater - chiefy - Methane

Black Damp
An atmosphere depleted of oxygen by the oxidaton of coal and
carbonaceous material. Chiefy - 15% CO with 85 to 90% N

Choke Damp
A name sometmes given in England to CARBON DIOXIDE. A mine
atmosphere that causes sufocaton due to insufcient oxygen eg,
large emission of gases from coal displacing oxygen such as Me-
thane or Carbon Dioxide

Afer Damp
The mixture of gases which remain in a mine afer a mine fre
or an explosion of methane or coal dust. It consists
of CARBON DIOXIDE, NITROGEN, WATER VAPOUR, OXYGEN,
and CARBON MONOXIDE. In some cases free HYDROGEN
AND METHANE
D. Damps
White Damp
Term applied to CARBON MONOXIDE or an atmosphere containing
lethal quanttes of CARBON MONOXIDE

Stnk Damp
Refers to HYDROGEN SULPHIDE or other gases with the odour of
roten eggs predominatng.

Fire Stnk
Term applied to the smell indicatng SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

Illawarra Gas/Botom Gas
Found in the Illawarra or Southern Coalfelds, and has been found in
some Bowen Basin Mines. It is a mixture of METHANE AND CARBON
DIOXIDE, ranging down from pure CO, the relatve concentraton of
CH
4
needs to be less than 46%, so that the relatve density of the
seam gas is greater than 1. When the gas contains greater than 54%
CO and not mixed with air it will migrate along the foor.
Damps (continued)

Gas Evolution Chart
Water Gas

Combustble mixture of gases
The compositon is variable, however, a typical compositon of
undiluted water gas would be 45% of each CARBON MONOXIDE AND
HYDROGEN with small amounts of Carbon Dioxide, Methane,
Nitrogen and Oxygen

FLAMMABILITY LIMITS: Between 6 to 9% and 70%

If ever a water gas explosion was going to occur, the following
conditons would have to prevail:
a. A large mass of incandescent carbonaceous material
b. A supply of water which, on conversion to steam, remains for an
appreciable tme in contact with the hot Carbon
c. Partal confnement to a space in which the mixing of gases and air
takes place
d. The presence of a suitable ignitng medium in the region where the
gas and air mixture has accumulated.

Such conditons are only likely to occur when a fre is deep-seated in a
confned part of the mine.

Producer Gas

Combustble mixture of gases.
Produced commercially as a gas fuel, being formed by acton of air
passing through a layer of incandescent fuel (coal, coke or charcoal).
Compositon of gas from a producer gas generator is roughly:
10% CO
2
, 15% CO, 74% N
2
and up to 1% of other gases - CH
4
etc.
E. Miscellaneous Gases
Aldehydes

A partcular group of organic compounds of CARBON,
HYDROGEN, AND OXYGEN.
Small amounts of aldehydes are found in the exhaust
gases of diesel engines.
It is the chief cause of irritaton to eyes and the throat.

Nitrous Fumes

Term applied to mixtures of NITROGEN and OXYGEN
Compounds found in mines. Mainly NITROGEN DIOXIDE
(NO) and NITROGEN
PEROXIDE (NO) with NITRIC OXIDE (NO). Found in
working places immediately afer shot fring. A small
amount is found in diesel exhaust.
Miscellaneous Gases (continued)
Ventlaton surveys are carried out frequently so that the quantty
and quality of the air reaching each area of the mine is known. The
approximate amount of leakage through ventlaton control devices
and other infrastructure should also be recorded during these
surveys.

To enable general surveys to be carried out the following equipment
is required:
1) A plan that identfes ventlaton survey statons (locatons)
2) An instrument for measuring velocity (i.e. vane anemometer)
3) A tape measure
4) Paper and pen for recording results and making calculatons.

Steps to Measure Air Quantty

1. Record the staton I.D. (locaton), panel, and tme

2. Record relevant informaton. This can include gas
concentratons found, Wet/Dry temperature, Barometric
readings, Pressure measurements or any other required
informaton.
3. Determine the area:
A) Measure the height at several places across roadway and
Average the measurements to get the height
B) Measure the width at several places across roadway and
Average these measurements to obtain width.
C) Calculate the cross-sectonal area by multplying height by
The width (Area = Height x Width)
4. Measure the velocity at the locaton.
5. Calculate the Quantty = Velocity x Area
F. Measuring Air Quantity
NOTE:
Team members not involved must stand along the
rib on the return side of the staton to minimise re-
sistance in the roadway.










When using a vane anemometer (as pictured above) ensure the
scale and stopwatch are checked and the unit is calibrated.
During the minute long traverse, the entre cross sectonal area
must be covered evenly with the instrument held so the face is
vertcal and at right angles to the roadway directon. It is helpful if a
second person reads out tme expired in 10 or 15 second intervals.
Measuring Air Quantity
(Continued)
How to Measure with the Instrument

The velocity should be determined at least twice, once in each
directon along the roadway, to be within 10% of each other, if not
achieved a third survey to be completed.
The results are then averaged to obtain the velocity for that secton
of roadway

Below is a picture demonstratng a typical roadway traverse.
Measuring Air Quantity
(Continued)
Formula & Calculatons

Quantty (Q) = Velocity (V) x Area (A)
Velocity is measured in m/second (metres per second) using an
anemometer.

Example:
A roadway of 2m Height and 5m Width has a measured velocity of
2m/second. Calculate the Air Quantty.

Area = Height x Width
A = 2m x 5m
A = 10m

Quantty = Velocity x Area
Q = 2m/second x 10m
Q = 20m/s

Quantty is measured in cubic metres per second (m/s)

Measuring Air Quantity
(Continued)
CO MAKE

CO Make is ofen utlised to identfy an abnormal event in an area of
the mine. It may be used as a indicator, generally in conjuncton with
other indicators, for spontaneous combuston events.

The formula for CO Make is:

CO Make (l/min) = Quantty (m/s) x CO (ppm) x K

CO MAKE is measured in litres/minute; K is a factor as determined
Below, If:
CO is measured in ppm (parts per million) &
Quantty is measure in m/second then;
K = 0.06
Or alternatvely If:
CO is measured in percentage (%) and Quantty in m/second then
K = 600

As calculaton requires air quantty, CO Make is only valid for
roadways with airfow and cannot be used behind seals or in non
ventlated workings.
If using CO Make as an indicator it is important to note it does not
distnguish between an extensive low temperature oxidaton and a
small intense heatng.

It is very important to understand the CO Makes (and other
indicators) at your mine and what is regarded as normal/abnormal.

Each mine will have diferent CO Make Acton Levels. What levels
apply to your Mine?
G. Calculating Gas Makes
General Gas Makes

General gas makes are utlised in every day mining and are useful
for understanding what is your normal environment. They will also
allow you to quickly identfy a change in your environment to allow
for investgaton and rectfcaton.

General Formula for Gas Makes:
Gas Make (L/second) = Air Quantty x Gas concentraton % x 10
Gas Make (L/min) = Air Quantty x Gas concentraton ppm x 0.06

ExampleCH Make
A longwall tailgate has a measured ventlaton quantty of 50m/s at
the ventlaton staton with a concentraton of 2% Methane (CH)
measured in the general body atmosphere. What is the Methane
gas make passing this point?

CH Make = Air Quantty x CH concentraton (%) x 10
CH Make = 50 x 2 x 10
CH Make = 1000 litres per second.

Note:
It is important to understand what is defned as normal at your
mine so you can identfy a sudden change in conditons and a
potental hazard.
Calculating Gas Makes
(Continued)
Grahams Rato :
Also described as CO/O Defciency Rato, This rato measures the
Intensity of the oxidaton of the coal. At low temperatures coal
oxidizes producing low CO with a large O depleton. At higher
temperatures more O is converted to CO. Therefore the rato of CO
produced to O removed will indicate intensity.

GR = 100x CO
f

0.265 x N
f
O
f

Where:
GR = Grahams Rato
CO
f
= Final CO Concentraton (%)
N
f
= Final Nitrogen Concentraton (%)
O
f
= Final Oxygen Concentraton (%)

Indicator Levels (from overseas experience)
<0.4 Normal
0.41.0 Investgate
>1.0 Heatng
>2.0 Serious Heatng/Fire

Notes:
Grahams rato has some limitatons. The rato indicates the intensity
of the heatng, but not the extent. CO can also be destroyed by
bacteria which will afect calculatons.
If inertsaton gases are being utlised in the afected area these will
also afect the results and must be considered.





H. Other Ratios
CO/CO Rato :
This rato is based on the rato of Carbon Monoxide produced to
Carbon Dioxide produced as a functon of coal temperature.

CO/CO Rato = (CO
f
CO
i
)
(CO
f
CO
i
)

Where f = fnal state
i = Inital state

CO/CO Ratos for Bowen Basin Coals
<0.02 Normal
0.05 Coal Temperature 60C
0.10 Coal Temperature 80C
0.15 Coal Temperature 100C
0.35 Coal Temperature 150C

Note:
These values are only a guide and what is deemed as normal at your
mine may be very diferent.


Other Ratios (Continued)
Youngs Rato:
Youngs Rato works on the same principle as Grahams Rato except
CO is used as the indicator of the oxidaton of the coal. So very useful
if a heatng progresses to the point that complete combuston is
occurring.

Young's Rato = (COf-COi)
(Of-Oi)

Where f = fnal state
i = Inital state

Note:
There are some disadvantages to this rato including:
CO may be a seam gas
CO dissolves in water
CO is emited from vehicle exhaust emissions
It will be afected by oxygen defciency
CO is naturally found in air (0.03%)




Other Ratios (Continued)
JonesTrickets Rato :
This rato can provide indicaton of the source of fre (i.e. fuel type).

Jones Trickets Rato (JTR) = (CO + 0.75CO - 0.25H)
O Defciency

Or, where inlet is fresh air:

Jones Trickets Rato (JTR) = (CO + 0.75CO - 0.25H)
(0.265 N - O)

Rato Indicator Levels:

<0.4 Normal
<0.5 Methane Fire Possible
<1.0 Coal Fire Possible
>1.6 Impossible

Notes:
There can be problems with oxygen defciency if inlet air is not fresh
Air and inlet oxygen concentratons cannot be determined.
Other Ratios (Continued)
Other Ratios (Continued)
Air Free Gas interpretaton
We can negate the leakage and diluton problem by learning to calculate Air
Free Gas values

Total Air Free Gas
Total Air Free Gas is determined in the following manner:
Sum of gases present by analysis normalised to 100.00%
Assume sample oxygen content = 19.5%
Air associated with sample oxygen is:
(19.5x3.776) + sample oxygen + carbon dioxide in fresh air
(19.5x3.776) + 19.5 + 0.03
=93.16%
Alternatve method, sample oxygen x 4.776+0.03
= (19.5x4.776)+0.03
= 93.16%
Therefore total Air Free Gas present is 100.0093.16% = 6.84%
The mine atmosphere at the sample point contains:
93.16% Air
6.84% Total Air Free

We will now be looking at what percentages the gases that arent part of
air make-up of the total air free value. For example 0.0018% (18ppm)
CO equates to 0.0263% (263ppm) of the 6.84% (formula (Sample Gas/Total
Air Free) x 100))
Other Ratios (Continued)
Air Free Gas interpretaton:
The Total Air Free Gas present at the monitoring point is
one of the best indicators of the overall health of the mine
atmosphere. When there is no or very litle total Air Free
Gas, the resultant air free gas values are artfcially high. Re-
search suggests that an oxygen concentraton above
20.70% will return air free results that are not meaningful.
Therefore an oxygen defciency is required to provide re-
sults that can be interpreted correctly. As shown in the Ta-
ble below
In summary: AF Rato refers to the mixture of gas remain-
ing afer calculatng out normal air (Oxygen, Nitrogen,
CO 0.03% and water vapours). It allows samples to be
compared afer the impact of diluton from air leakage has
been removed.
Other Ratios (Continued)

Cowards Triangle

The Coward Triangle plots the percentage oxygen against the total
percentage of fammable gas in the gas sample.

In additon the barriers between the explosive, potentally explosive and
non-explosive gas concentraton, zones are defned.

The positon of these barriers is calculated from the combinaton of the
upper and lower explosive limits of the fammable gases present,
weighted by their concentraton.

The positon of the datum point then indicates the potental for explosion.
In additon the expected behaviour of the gas mixture under various
scenarios can be predicted.

Adding fresh air makes the point head toward the top lef corner of the
triangle. Adding more combustble gases makes the point head toward the
botom right corner of the triangle.

The triangle limits are fresh air, inert gas and 100% fammable gas.
Due to the changing size of the explosion zone with diferent explosive
gas concentratons, it is difcult to use the Coward Triangle for an area
over tme if the gas concentratons are changing.



I. Charts & Diagrams
Cowards Triangle (Contnued)

Charts & Diagrams (Continued)
Ellicots Diagram:

The Ellicot Diagram is a modifcaton of the Coward Triangle which
allows trend analysis. The triangle is changed into a rectangle, with
the centre of the of the diagram being the nose point and the axis
radiatng from there being defned by the upper explosive limit
barrier (+X axis), the lower explosive limit barrier (+Y axis), the line
from the fresh air limit on the Y axis to the nose point (-X axis) and
the contnuaton of this line to intersect the Y axis of the Coward
Triangle forms the -Y axis.

Adding fresh air makes the datum point move toward the lef end of
the horizontal axis, adding inert gases the botom lef corner, and
increasing combustble gases, the botom right corner.

One major advantage that the Ellicot Diagram has over the Coward
Triangle is the ability to plot a number of samples on the same graph
and establish trends over tme.

Care should be taken in comparing Ellicot Diagrams, as some of the
informaton available in Coward Triangles is lost. In partcular the size
of the various sectors on the Coward Triangle may vary between
analyses as the gas mixture varies, yet the Ellicot Diagram always
allocates each segment the same size. The informaton conveyed
through the relatve sizes of the zones is lost as they are set to a fxed
size on an Ellicot Diagram, with the non-explosive zone forming twice
the size of the other zones.




Charts & Diagrams (Continued)
Ellicots Diagram (Contnued)

Charts & Diagrams (Continued)
Explosibility Matrix:

As part of an ACARP project for Mine Re-entry Assessment System
(MRAS) a explosibility matrix was developed. This matrix ,in conjuncton
with MRAS, are the tools currently used by the Queensland Mines
Rescue Service (QMRS) for the purpose of guiding team members to a
safe re-entry of a mine. The matrix plots gas explosibilites on a chart
and indicates a relevant acton level and response. As a team member it
is paramount that you are familiar with the chart, and the indicated
levels and the corresponding actons.

The colour green is normally utlised on acton response plans to indicate
normal conditons. As this tool is used by QMRS for re-entry during and/
or post an event, the conditons will be far from normal and as such you
will note the explosibility matrix does not utlise green.

The matrix relies on quality and accurate informaton for efectveness
(as do all charts, diagrams, and ratos) and takes several key things into
account to allow for re-entry, such as:

Flammable Gas Levels, shown as a percentage of Lower Explosive
Limit (LEL).
Oxygen Content expressed as a percentage of the Oxygen Nose
Point (ONP)
Barometric Pressure
Likelihood of Igniton Source in the afected area






G. Charts & Diagrams
Explosibility Matrix (MRAS) (Contnued)
The following points should also be considered when analysing
results:
Trends in values are more important than absolute values.
A rapid change in gas concentraton or indicator may indicate
a potentally serious situaton long before the trigger level is
breached.
Samples should be checked for reliability/consistency and
when in any doubt, the area in queston should be re-
sampled.
It must be recognised that sampling data is point analysis and
may not be totally representatve of the entre area.
Analysis based on hand held gas monitoring instruments,
partcularly stain tubes, should be treated with extreme
cauton and substantated wherever possible by more
accurate methods. These devices are best used to confrm or
deny measurements by other devices where there is some
ambiguity in the original measurements.
Determinaton of explosibility should include an appropriate
margin for error and uncertainty in measurement.


Does your mine maintain an up to date MRAS database?
Please note, MRAS is available to the Queensland Underground Coal
Mines and maintaining an accurate database will allow more tmely
responses from Queensland Mines Rescue Service.
Charts & Diagrams (Continued)
Explosibility Matrix (MRAS) (Contnued)






G. Charts & Diagrams

Charts & Diagrams (Continued)
Explosibility Matrix (MRAS) (Contnued)



1. The Interpretaton of Mine Atmospheres partcularly for
Spontaneous Combuston, Mine Fires and Explosions -
David Clif, Colin Hester and Carmel Bofnger -
Simtars May 1999.


2. All Team Members (past & present) who helped with the
editng of this booklet and gave their encouragement
and tme to its creaton


3. The Team at MSIA & Mark Parcell for allowing QMRS to
utlise their knowledge and resources in the creaton of
this Booklet. Darren Brady for his thorough critque.


4. Joncris Sentnel Services for allowing the use of the gas
evoluton chart., and critque of the booklet.

5.QMRS Staf who where involved in the review of the
booklet .


For further informaton on this booklet please contact
Dysart Mines Rescue Staton on 07 49 582 244
J. Acknowledgements