Effects of rock dusting in preventing and reducing intensity of coal mine explosions

Abstract

As an explosion control measure, rock dusting has been used in underground coal mines in many major coal producing countries with different standards. The effectiveness of the rock dust in reducing explosion intensity has been proven by historic events and laboratory experiments. The main functions of rock dust in controlling mine explosions (i.e., isolator, physical heat sink and chemical energy absorber) have been quantitatively studied and results are presented in this paper.