Coal combustion restrained by ultra-fine water mist in confined space

In order to apply ultra-fine water mist technology on spontaneous coal combustion in the goaf of a coal mine, we built a small scale compartment with ultra-fine water mist for restraining coal combustion in a confined space and then investigated the restraining efficiency and related factors. The study obtained the following results: a descending rate of heat release, an increase in O2, the production of CO2 decreased gradually, while the production of CO increased dramatically and quickly and then decreased; ultimately it tended to become stable after the discharge of an ultra-fine water mist. The technology showed that the ultra-fine water mist can effectively reduce the heat release rate of coal and the rate to generate components. We found that the restraining effect relied on the mist flux, the discharge time and other factors. A sufficient amount of mist has a better effect compared to an insufficient amount of mist. To combat coal combustion, the greater the discharge time, the better coal flames are extinguished.