Study on suppression of the coal dust/methane/air mixture explosion in experimental tube by water mist

In order to develop highly effective and reliable measures to suppress the coal dust/methane/air mixture explosion frequently occurred in coal mine, the effect of the presence of methane on the coal dust explosion was investigated in this study. The flame propagation velocity and the explosion temperature were measured for explosion tests with the different methane concentration in the mixture. The flame evolution histories were also captured by high speed camera. The inhibiting efficiency of water mist was qualitatively studied and analyzed by explaining mechanism of gas and goal dust explosion. The results showed that water mist can efficiently decline the flame propagation velocity, reduce flame temperature, and change flame characteristics of gas and coal dust explosion. It can be concluded that water mist can effectively inhibit gas and coal dust explosion. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of China Academy of Safety Science and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology(Beijing), McGill University and University of Wollongong.