MID-SEMESTER EXAMINATION

Course: 7th Sem B.Tech. (Mining Engineering)

Session: 2022-2023 Semester: Summer

Subject: Mine Environmental Engineering (MND – 406)

Time: 2 hrs Max. Mark: 32
Instructions: Answer ALL questions.
Q.No. Question Marks
1 a) How does analysis of air samples help in early detection of 2
spontaneous combustion?
Solution:

b) Calculate the CO/O2 and CO2/O2 ratios from the following sample
2+2+2
of air collected from an area sealed off due to an outbreak of fire:
CO2 = 4.8%, CH4 = 50.01%, O2 = 0.6%, N2 = 43.62% and CO =
0.036%.
State what you would infer from the above sample analysis.
Solution:
CO/O2 ratio = {0.036/(11.55 – 0.60)}*100 = 0.03%

and CO2/O2 ratio = {(4.80 – 0.03)/(11.55 – 0.60)}*100 = 43.56%

2 a) Determine the lower limit of the following gaseous mixture: 97% 5
methane, 2% ethane and 1% hydrogen.
Solution:

b) What is the danger associated with gas concentration outside the

limits of inflammability of methane? 3
Solution:
By suddenly compressing the gas mixture, both temp. and press. are
raised simultaneously, and it has been found possible to ignite in this way
a mixture containing as little as 2% and as much as 75% of methane.

If the press of gas mixture raised to 125 atm., the higher limit is about
46%.

3 What are the causes of fire in coal pillars? Suggest the precautions that 3+5
should be taken to prevent them.
Solution:
Causes
✓ Pillars that have been standing for a long time are prone
to heating, particularly when they are liable to crushing.
✓ Pillar crushing can create air leakage paths leading to the flow of air
through the coal. Loose coal is usually produced by pillar spalling or
crushing. When associated with sluggish ventilation, these areas are
 hazardous
Precautions
✓ Pillar size should be sufficient to prevent crushing.

4 a) What are the main characteristics of firedamp explosion which 4

differentiate it from coal-dust explosion?
Solution:
b) Describe the precautions to prevent occurrence of firedamp 4
explosion in a mine.
Solution:

End of the Question Paper