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Firedamp

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firedamp

[′fīr‚damp]
(mining engineering)
A gas formed in mines by decomposition of coal or other carbonaceous matter; consists chiefly of methane and is combustible.
An airtight stopping to isolate an underground fire and to prevent the inflow of fresh air and the outflow of foul air. Also known as fire wall.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Firedamp

 

a combustible gas released usually in coal mines, less often in salt, metal-ore, and sulfur mines. Firedamp is colorless, lighter than air (since it consists mainly of methane), and contains nitrogen, neon, argon, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide and traces of ethane, propane, ethylene, and other hydrocarbons. In mineral deposits it results from the decomposition of organic substances caused by microorganisms, heat, pressure, and sometimes radiation. When the content of firedamp in the air is from 5 to 16 percent (as measured by methane content), the mixture produced can be ignited by a flame or sparks and cause explosions and fires.

Permissible firedamp concentrations range from 0.5 to 2 percent. The explosive accumulation of the gas is lowered by mine ventilation. Special safety lighting and electrical equipment is used to prevent firedamp from igniting. Firedamp in a mine atmosphere reduces the concentration of oxygen, which may lead to suffocation.

The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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