Bio-based Plugging Agent for Coal Mine Fire Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plugging materials for coal mines are ineffective in uniformly covering coal surfaces, fail to plug high-position cracks, and can exacerbate fires due to organic combustible materials that release toxic gases and heat, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional plugging agent based on Ecklonia Kurome Okam biological extract is developed, which involves soaking, drying, and processing the extract with phosphorus pentoxide, urea, melamine, and ammonium polyphosphate to create a bio-based solution that adheres to coal surfaces, self-foams, and forms a dense carbon layer to inhibit combustion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyurethane plugging material is used to effectively plug gaps between coal seams, then plugging effectiveness is improved, but toxic gases and heat are released which deteriorate the fire disaster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of organic combustible materials into a beneficial outcome by using inorganic flame retardant materials that release protective gases and form carbonization layers. Instead of using polyurethane that releases toxic gases, the invention employs materials like ammonium polyphosphate and melamine that decompose to release non-toxic gases and form protective carbon layers, thereby converting the potential harm of material decomposition into a beneficial fire suppression mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite plugging material system combining inorganic flame retardants (ammonium polyphosphate, melamine) with Ecklonia Kurome Okam extract. This composite approach integrates the plugging effectiveness of polymeric materials with the fire suppression properties of inorganic flame retardants, achieving both effective gap plugging and toxic gas reduction through synergistic interactions between components.
2Ease of operation
If foam is used to plug high-position cracks in the goaf, then high-position crack plugging is achieved, but the foam loses water and breaks, losing plugging function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the foam material by incorporating inorganic flame retardants and biological extracts that alter the foam's water retention properties. The ammonium polyphosphate and melamine compounds change the foam's composition to reduce water loss, while the Ecklonia Kurome Okam extract provides stabilizing effects that prevent premature foam breakdown, thereby maintaining plugging function over time.
3Ease of manufacture
If liquid grouting material is used, then injection is simple, but the liquid flows from high terrain to low terrain, making it difficult to cover the coal surface uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs foam as a flexible plugging medium that can conform to irregular coal surface geometries and fill high-position cracks effectively. The foam's cellular structure allows it to expand and adapt to complex spatial configurations, providing uniform coverage across varying terrains while maintaining ease of injection through standard grouting equipment.
4Productivity
If inert gas injection method is used, then gas can be injected into the goaf, but the goaf is easy to be communicated with the outside, causing gas to leak outward and reducing concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the transient nature of gas injection into a beneficial permanent plugging solution. Instead of relying on continuous inert gas injection that leaks outward, the invention uses flame retardant materials that decompose to release inert gases in-situ and form stable carbonization layers. This converts the temporary gas presence into a permanent protective barrier, eliminating gas loss while maintaining fire prevention effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The agent effectively plugs coal cracks, maintains flame-retardant properties across temperature ranges, reduces CO release, and enhances safety by forming a stable, self-expanding carbon layer that absorbs heat and gases, offering superior fire prevention and extinguishing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the plugging agent can not only plug a coal crack twice in a mine, but also achieve an efficient flame-retardant effect
Implementation Method 2
self-foams, and forms a dense carbon layer to inhibit combustion
Implementation Method 3
forms a stable, self-expanding carbon layer that absorbs heat and gases
Implementation Method 4
a dense carbon layer to inhibit combustion... absorbs heat and gases
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a multi-functional plugging agent for a coal mine and a preparation method thereof. The preparation method comprises: by taking Ecklonia Kurome Okam as a raw material, mixing an Ecklonia Kurome Okam suspension with phosphorus pentoxide for reaction, then performing biodegradation to obtain an Ecklonia Kurome Okam biological extract, adding urea for neutralization, mixing a neutralization product with an inorganic catalyst and melamine for reaction to obtain a bio-based plugging synergist solution, finally cooling the bio-based plugging synergist solution, and mixing the cooled bio-based plugging synergist solution with a certain amount of pentaerythritol and ammonium polyphosphate to obtain the multi-functional plugging agent for the coal mine based on the Ecklonia Kurome Okam biological extract. According to the invention, not only a coal crack can be effectively plugged for a long time, but also an efficient flame-retardant effect can be achieved in a complete period of coal spontaneous combustion.