Dangers of Drastically Changing Pressure Differential in Open Goaf Experiencing Advanced Spontaneous Combustion. Methane Explosions in the Goaf

If the Management are contemplating trying to reduce the differential pressure across the LW goaf as much as possible if there is an advanced heating, this needs to be treated with extreme caution.

Moves such as nearly closing or completely closing the Tailgate Regulator carry huge inherent risk.

As I stated in a previous post

Major Ventilation changes that change the differential pressure that has been in place should be avoided at all costs unless moving to seal completely, particularly in high resistance high ventilation mines.

These completely alter the ventilation pathways in the goaf and therefore the explosive zones.

Also nothing happens instantly and if the heating was not the greatest ventilation driver in the goaf, it certainly will be as the goaf attempts settle into a completely new ventilation flow.

This could easily allow explosive mixtures to be introduced back to the heating setting off more explosions.

It would in my opinion be an extremely foolhardy group of Management that decided to do such a thing unless they were willing to accept there is a very high likelihood they will make the situation worse causing methane explosions in the goaf to occur.

If doing so I hope they make sure no workers are underground and exclusion zones are set up near the portals and fans