Methane layering in bord and pillar workings.

Abstract

This report reviews the state of knowledge on the occurrence, investigation, detection, monitoring, prevention and dispensation of methane layers in coal mines. Mining practice throughout the world in respect of methane layering is generally reliant on the results of fundamental work completed in the 1960’s in the UK. These studies involved simple tunnels, consistent with longwall situations, and their applicability to bord-and-pillar arrangements is often assumed but has not been tested. Experimental work using scale models validated by selected underground tests is needed to close the knowledge gap.