Title: Residual hydrocarbons of coal and evaluation of their role in the development of fire-blast emergencies in coal mines and ecological problems

Abstract

Investigations of the content and composition of deeply sorbet hydrocarbon gases in coals, the petrographic composition and degree of coal metamorphism in coal basins are very relevant now in connection with ecological problems of increasing coal mining output, development of gas resources in many regions and safety of coal mine works. In the process of coal accumulation and metamorphism significant amounts of hydrocarbon gases are formed in coal basins. However, the nature of relationship between hydrocarbons and the coal mass is not completely clear yet. The results of studies on residual hydrocarbons of coals are presented, from brown coal to anthracite of different coal basins. The extraction of residual hydrocarbons was performed at 200˚С. The content and composition of deeply sorbet hydrocarbon gases in coals of the Donbass were investigated in relation to the degree of coal metamorphism. The hydrocarbons derived from bituminous coals were found to be substantially enriched of heavy hydrocarbon (the sum С2H6-С6H14 is up to 97 total amounts %). High amount of residual hydrocarbons is 45- 74 ml/kg in fat and coking coals. In the coals of higher stages of metamorphism (anthracites) the content of residual hydrocarbons is low and СН4 prevails (Fig.1). Most likely the formation of different properties of coals in corresponding phases is determined by deep internal molecular reconfiguration of organic matter of the coals and redistribution of solid, liquid (bituminous) and gaseous (including the residual hydrocarbons) constituents of the coals. Residual hydrocarbons might be emitted from the coal during the mining in the shaft air. The role of residual hydrocarbons enriched in heavy hydrocarbons is reviewed in development of fire and explosion emergencies in coal mines.