Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2009. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xvi, 149 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 138-149).

Thesis (doctoral)--Universiteit Utrecht, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-140).

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfillnent of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, 1992 / The self-heating of coal is a problem which concerns the mining industry not only in South Africa, but also in many other countries. This thesis deals with the contouring of spontaneous combustion liabilities (WITS-ERAC index values) of different seams at the Durban Navigation Colliery and the relationship between the WITS-EHAC index values and the properties of the coal samples. In the determination of the spontaneous combustion liabilities 58 different coal samples were tested with an ignition-temperature test apparatus, crossing-point temperature tests and differential thermal analysis were conducted simultaneously. [Abbreviated abstract. Open document to view full version] / MT2017

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High expansion foam (Hi-Ex) is a firefighting technology that has been widely used for fire suppression in underground locations. Hi-ex foam can be applied remotely through boreholes from the surface reducing firefighter exposure to fires. Despite the experimental studies that have been carried out there are still some uncertainties about foam behavior in underground locations. For this reason, the main objective of this thesis was to estimate Hi-Ex foam flow behavior in different underground configurations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. An experimental apparatus was built to study the foam rheology in order to determine the rheological model parameters to simulate foam as a continuous Non-Newtonian fluid. Furthermore, numerical and experimental results of Hi-Ex foam flowing in a pipe were compared with the objective of validating numerical results. Results of this study show that Hi-Ex foam with an expansion ratio between 1:250 and 1:1280 behaves as a shear thinning fluid represented by the power law model. Numerical simulations results were between 0.06% and 14% of experimental results for Reynolds numbers between 200 and 1700. Finally, numerical simulations of Hi-Ex foam in different mine entry slopes were carried out and compared with qualitative results of prior field work. This work generates some of the necessary numerical parameters for the simulation of Hi-Ex foam flow in mines. Furthermore, results of this work and the methodology used can allow for improved predictions of foam flow in in underground mine fires, while improving safety for mine workers / Master of Science

A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering. / Ignitions of methane and coal dust have caused considerable loss of life and damage to installations in South African collieries during the past century. The phenomenon of methane outbursts have also resulted in the creation of dangerous conditions underground. The dissertation examines the causes of methane outbursts and the seven main ignition sources leading to methane and coal dust explosions. These ignition sources were derived from an examination of Mines Department inquiries extending back to 1891. the date of the first known ignition of mine gas. Selected incidents were chosen from the official Inquiries for each ignition source and these are dealt with in detail. This includes an investigation into the many factors which developed prior to the individual explosions and the effects of the aftermath such incidents. Precautions to be adopted to prevent methane outbursts and minimise the risk of methane and coal dust explosions as a result of the seven ignition sources are detailed at the end of each chapter. / Andrew Chakane 2018

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / A theoretical and experimental treatment of fire processes in fuel-Lined, ventilated passages is presented. Initially a radially well mixed axial flow condition is considered. Experiments are first performed in non-stratified flow conditions where fire propagation and gas temperature histories are acquired from liquid and solid fuelled fires. Theory and experiment;display transient fire propagation for typical duct fire scenarios where initial fuel mass Loading is constant with respect to duct length. ( Abbreviation abstract ) / AC2017

Thesis (Ph.D. (Mining Engineering))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Engineering,1992.