Use Of Foam To Increase Resistance To Gas Flow In Mine Applications And Apparatus For Delivering Same

Abstract

A process for increasing resistance to the flow of gas in underground mining operations includes providing a foam composition at desired selected locations to create a barrier to the flow of gas.

1 . A method of increasing resistance to gas flow in a mine void space comprising delivering a foam composition to a void space from one of a shortwall mining machine, a longwall mining machine, a pillar extractor, a portion of a shortwall mining machine, a portion of a longwall machine, and portion of a pillar extractor. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising delivering the foam through a nozzle mounted to one of one of a shortwall mining machine, a longwall mining machine, a pillar extractor, a portion of a shortwall mining machine, a portion of a longwall machine, and portion of a pillar extractor. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the foam expands into at least a portion of the void space. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the void space is a gob. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the void space is adjacent an active mine workplace. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a low oxygen content gas is used to expand the foam composition. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a nitrogen containing gas is used to expand the foam composition. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the foam composition is delivered from a nozzle fixed to a shield associated with one of the sidewall mining machinery and the longwall mining machinery. 
   
   
       9 . A method of increasing resistance to gas flow in an underground mining operation comprising delivering a foam composition in a void defined by two adjacent pillar supports. 
   
   
       10 . An underground ore cutting machine that during operation creates a gob comprising at least one nozzle associated with the machine and configured to discharge a foam composition to an area adjacent the gob wherein the foam composition provides resistance to gas flow.