INTERPRETATION OF STATUS OF SPONTANEOUS HEATING OF COAL/MINE

FIRES BASED ON FIRE RATIOS

Dr.D.P.Tripathy
Professor,& Head
Department of Mining Engineering,
National Institute of Technology,
Rourkela-769008, Orissa, India.
E-mail: dptripathy@nitrkl.ac.in
_________________________________________________________________________________

1. Introduction
In Indian coal mines, mine fires have become a very problematic issue, numbering more than 200, both surface
and underground. The most significant fire-affected coalfields include: Jharia, Raniganj, Talcher, Ib-Valley,
Chirimiri, Singrauli and Ramgarh etc. Due to spontaneous heating of coal in coal mines, a number of fire gases
are released. Analysis and interpretation of these gases can be useful tool for the ascertaining/assessing of fire
status in mines. After analyzing mine gases, different fire indices can be computed for examining the extent of
fire so that suitable preventive measures can be undertaken to minimize/avoid fire hazards. The objective of this
article is to present the different fire indices such as CO/O 2 deficiency, CO2/O2 deficiency, C/H ratio, Willet's
ratio, etc., for interpretation of status of underground (U/G) sealed off fires. Few case studies have been
presented for assessing status of fire in the U/G coal mines based on these fire indices.

2. Different Fire Gas Indices Used In Indian Coal Mines

The sealed off fire is periodically monitored to check whether it is being controlled or progressing unabated.
Through monitoring it is easy to establish the status and direction of fire advance and plan the steps to control
the fire. Status of mine fires is generally assessed based on different fire indices in conjunction with
measurement of temperature of the area. Several indices/ratios, such as production of CO and CO 2, consumption
of O2, unsaturated hydrocarbons, COresidual gas relationships, desorbed hydrocarbon index, Graham's ratio,
Willet's ratio, CO/CO2 ratio, sub micrometer particulate detection and C/H ratio, etc., are applied to detect and
assess the status of coal fire. However, to date no individual index is capable of giving a precise and definite
picture of the status of heating within a sealed off area. Different fire indices are discussed below.
2.1 Graham's ratio
Graham, 191415 and Graham, 1921 observed that the gases produced after oxidation are generated in relation
to sorbed oxygen. He developed an index to calculate the degree of heating by comparing the rate of production
of CO or CO2 with that of O2 consumed, i.e. from CO/O 2 deficiency and the CO2/O2 deficiency ratio. The
calculation of the CO/O2 deficiency ratio is based on the assumption (usually justifiable) that nitrogen is neither
added to nor taken from the air concerned in the oxidation.
This is known as Graham's ratio, and is still the most effective tool for detecting and assessing fire in
underground coal mines.
As a thumb rule it can be taken that:

0.4 per cent or less indicates normal value.

0.5 per cent indicates necessity for a thorough check-up.
1 per cent indicates existence of heating.
2 per cent indicates serious heating approaches active fire.
3 per cent and above indicate active fire with certainty.

7 may occur for blazing fire

Example 1:
The O2-deficiency is calculated based on the values of O2 equivalent and it can be calculated as follows:
In this example, suppose a gas analysis has the following composition:
CO2 = 5.00%
O2 = 3.00%
CO = 0.05%
N2 = 91.95%

In atmosphere 100 parts of= 20.93% and N2 = 79.04%

air consists of O2
O2 equivalent to 91.95% of= (Atmospheric O2 % / Atmospheric N2 %) N2 (analyzed)
nitrogen
= (20.93/79.04) 91.95
= 0.265 91.95 = 24.37
Oxygen deficiency
= (O2 equivalent O2 analyzed) or (Atmospheric O 2 %/Atmospheric N2 %) N2
(analyzed) O2 (analyzed)
So, O2 deficiency
= 24.37 3.00
= 21.37%
Example 2:
Suppose a gas analysis has the following composition:
CO2 = 6.70 %
O2 = 2.19 %
CO = 0.059%
N2 = 90.961%
Ans:
CO2 =6.79%

{ in 100 parts of air there are 20.93 parts of O2 and 79104 parts of N2}

O2 = 2.19%

{Therefore,

oxygen

equivalent

to

90.961

20.93
79.04 x 90.961=0.265x 90.96 = 24.08}

CO=0.059%
N2 = 90.961 %

{Oxygen deficiency in this case=24.08 2.l9 = 21.89}

parts

of

Nitrogen

is

Total = 100.00%
The ratio CO/O2 def =

0.059
21.89

= 0.0027, 0.27% (approx.)

Similarly, CO2/O2 def. ratio (also called Youngs ratio) = 6.79/21.89 =0.31 =31%.
Then, CO/O2 deficiency ratio will be: 0.27 % and CO2/O2 deficiency ratio will be :0.31 %.
Graham developed two indices, which are summarized below.
CO/O2 deficiency ratio
The ratio relates the production of CO with oxygen utilized by the burning coal and indicates average intensity
of the heating. This remains one of the most effective indices for estimation of intensity of heating. However,
due to limitations in calculations of total amount of CO produced and the total amount of coal involved the
extent of heating can not be calculated accurately. Active fire can be predicted if the CO/O 2 deficiency ratio
exceeds 0.5.
Advantages:
1.

Since both numerator and denominator are affected, the ratio is independent of dilution of fire area by air or
methane.

2.

CO is not produced by factors other than fire, so increase in CO level and the CO/CO 2 ratio is a sure test to
assess fire intensity.

Disadvantages:
1.

This ratio provides only an average value, so sometimes maximum heating in a particular area may be

2.
3.

underestimated.
If the products of combustion are diluted by black damp (N2) or O2-deficient air, the ratio would be affected.
Sometimes the CO may disappear due to bacterial action, although this is not an indicator of decay of fire.

In the Indian coal mining industry, the general trend is to use only the CO/O 2 deficiency ratio for determination
of fire status. But, in actual practice this is not the only ratio that can be used to interpret the fire position. After
examining the different case studies in the fire areas, it was observed that even if CO and CO/O 2 deficiency is
nil, a fire may still be inside the sealed off area. In these cases, the other ratios will play a vital role in better
assessing the fire status and extent. In the above cases, use of the different fire indices was very helpful.
2.2 CO2/O2 deficiency ratio (Youngs ratio)
Carbon dioxide produced as a percentage of oxygen absorbed is considered as Youngs ratio or CO 2/O2 def.
Ratio. As the fire progresses from smouldering to open flame, the burning of carbon monoxide will produce an
increase in carbon dioxide. Hence, a simultaneous rise in [CO 2]/ O2 and fall in [CO]/ O2 indicates further
development of the fire. However, as both ratios have the same denominator, the straightforward plot of
carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide show the same trends. If the value of this ratio is below 25 it is
considered to be indicative of superficial heating. If it is more than 50 it should be corroborated with other fire
indices to rule out or confirm a high intensity fire7. This ratio suffers from various limitations

Its accuracy becomes suspect if very little oxygen has been consumed, i.e. the oxygen deficiency, O 2 is

less than 0.3 per cent.

The concentration of carbon dioxide may have been influenced by adsorption, its solubility in water, strata
emissions of the gas and other chemical reactions.

In case of failures of the CO/O 2 deficiency ratio, where CO extinction is not indicative of fire status, the CO 2/O2
deficiency ratio can be applied. Higher values of the CO 2/O2 deficiency ratio indicate a change from heating to
actual fire.
Advantages:
In severe fires, involving the combustion of coke-like materials, where an enormous amount of CO 2 is produced,
and this index is effective.
Disadvantages:
The ratio sometimes gives anomalous results due to extraneous origin of CO2 and its solubility in water.
2.3 CO/CO2 ratio
It has been established that the CO/CO2 ratio of product of combustion, under a particular combustion situation,
attains equilibrium, from the thermodynamic and gasification point of view. This ratio, [CO]/ [CO2] of products
of combustion may be considered to attain an equilibrium in a particular combustion situation. Thus attempts
have been made to understand the fire situation from this ratio. It indicates the completeness of the combustion
or oxidation. If the value of this ratio is more than 2 per cent it indicates active fire in the adjacent
zone. If the value of this ratio is equal to or more than 13 it indicates a blazing fire. This ratio has the significant
advantage that it is unaffected by inflows of air, methane or injected nitrogen. It is, however, subject to variation
in carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide that are not caused by fire. Limitations are chances of appearance of
blackdamp and disappearance of CO 2 (dissolution in water, etc.) in mines. This method is as good as the CO/O 2
deficiency ratio (Kuchta et al., 1982) to assessing an active fire. The erratic values of CO 2, i.e. its origin from
various sources and tendency to dissolve in water, cause the limitations to this mine fire index.
Thermodynamically from gasification point of view, CO/ CO 2 ratio of P.O.C (Products of combustion) may be
considered to attain an Equilibrium in a particular combustion situation, Thus, attempts have been made to
understand the fire situation from CO/ CO 2 ratios as well Kuchta et al. (1982) collected a large number of data
on P.O.C. and the heat developed by burning definite amount of coal in a model mine gallery. They then
compared three fire indices, viz., CO/ CO 2 ratio, CO/ O2 deficiency and Jones and Tricket ratio. They found the
CO/ CO2 ratio and CO/ O2 deficiency to be more dependable than Jones and Tricket ratio. Values of both the
former ratios were sensitive to coal bed temperature and increased with time. The maximum values of CO/ O 2
deficiency percentages were between 0.15 and 0.20 after sealing, with corresponding values of CO/ CO 2
between 0.30 and 0.50. But CO2 detection appliances being less sensitive than CO detectors, they advocated CO
analysis for early detection of fire/ heating and CO/ CO2 analysis for fire assessment.
2.4 Willet's ratio
Willet (1952) analyzed gas samples collected from sealed off fire areas, incorporating CO, black damp (a term
commonly applied to only carbon dioxide but strictly speaking it also includes residual nitrogen) and
combustible gases produced as an index to detect the heating in coal seams. He concluded that the CO produced

by oxidation does not disappear at all with progressive extinction of fire. The magnitude and extent of fire can
be understood by the following

ratio:

Willets ratio = CO produced/ black damp(residual N2 and CO2)+ combustibles

This ratio is applicable to the specific situations where there is a higher than usual evolution of carbon
monoxide by ongoing low temperature oxidation. This ratio can be used as a criterion of progress towards the extinction of fire behind the seals under circumstances where the Grahams index does not apply.
It may be pointed out here that the absolute figures vary from seam to seam and even from district to district,
thus it is only the trends that can be universally applied. Some researcher emphasized that the
constancy of the Willetts ratio is not an indication that a fire is extinct but only that the fire activity has
greatly decreased.
2.5. C/H ratio
Ghosh and Banerjee (1967) introduced carbon/hydrogen ratio determination of the mine gases and claimed to
assess the intensity character of the fire, along with oxygen consumption values to decipher the character of
sealed off fires and the nature of fuel participating in the actual oxidation process. The CO 2, CO and
hydrocarbons produced by combustion facilitate the calculation of carbon, while the available hydrogen is
calculated from evolved hydrogen, hydrocarbons and from hydrogen utilized in the formation of water as
calculated from the reduction in used oxygen. The index is calculated from the product gases as

follows:

C/H ratio up to a maximum of 3, indicate only superficial heating,

values above 5

of active fire

and from around 20 of a blazing fire.

Based on C/H ratio and oxygen consumption rate they have given a method to determine the nature of fire in a
sealed area.
Table 1. Application of C/ H Ratio in the Assessment of Fire (Ghosh & Banerjee, 1967)
Sl.
No.

C/H values, from

analytical data of fire
area

High and very near to

that of coal i.e. nearly
20

Appreciably higher than

that of coal
Appreciably lower than
that of coal i.e. much
below 10

Rate of oxygen
consumption as
observed from
periodic analysis
Fast

Blazing and extensive burning of coal

Slow

Blazing but localised burning of coal

Remarks on the nature of fire

Fast

Blazing and extensive fire associated with burning of

props etc.
Blazing fire associated with burning of props etc., but
a localised one
Superficial fire but covering an extensive area

Slow

Superficial fire and a localised one

Fast
Slow

They also showed from a comparative statement between C/ H and CO/O 2 deficiency ratios, of the fire area
gases in Iharia field that this C/H ratio gives a better indication than even CO/O 2 deficiency ratios, particularly
for long standing fires in old abandoned mines (Table 2). Along with other fire indices like Grahams ratio and
oxygen consumption data, C/H ratio is a useful guide to assess the status of heating. Of course it has got certain
limitation as given below.
Table 2 Comparing Grahams Ratio with C/H Values
Sl.No.

Description of the fire areas

CO/O2 def.%

C/ H Ratio

Fire of recent origin, slight heating

noticed, area kept sealed off

0.20-0.90

0.25-0.75

Heating in an advanced stage, area

kept sealed off

1.75-3.00

1.01-1.45

An old abandoned long-standing

fire and
above hot fumes
observed coming out from
overhead surface cracks

0.22-1.16

20

Along with other indices (Grahams ratio etc.), C/H ratio with oxygen consumption rate proves to be a very
useful guide to assess the status of heating of a fire area.
Advantages:
1.
2.
3.

When used in conjunction with O2-consumption data, it defines the extent and intensity of a fire;
its range is larger, as compared to Graham's ratio, providing better sensitivity; and
it can distinguish a coal fire from a wood fire.
Disadvantages:
1.
2.

Unlike CO/ O2 def.% it is not independent of dilution with fire damp emitted from the strata.
The various sources of generation of CO2 and chances of its escape from dissolution with water also affect

3.

its accuracy.
There are some practical difficulties to determine oxygen consumption rate in sealed off fire, in view of
undefined air leakages situations.

4.

in cases of low O2-deficiency values, the C/H ratio may give misleading results.

2.6 Jones and Trickett Ratio

Jones & Tricket Ratio, giving the relationship between the products of combustion with O 2 def. is defined as
below:
[CO2] + 0. 75[CO] 0. 25[H2]
_____________________________________
{[0. 265[N2] [O2]} i. e. Oxygen deficiency
Obviously, like CO/O2 def. ratio, it is independent of dilution by air or CH4.
Different authors tried to use this ratio in mine fire diagnostics.
Limitations:

Kuchta et al. (1982), Delverny & Chaiken (1991) and others attempted to use this ratio in mine fire diagnostics
along with other fire indices. But it did not meet with much success. It could be observed that with oxygen
Concentration < 17%, JTR values from fire area bore hole samples showed Values between 0.65 and 0.85. Fuel
rich combustion process however, showed higher values of JTR between 1.0 and 1.5. For certain types of
combustion with 50% conversion from CO to CO 2, JTR values may go as high as 7.0. It was thereafter inferred
that JTR values by itself is not much dependent on temperaturethough it may be dependent on combustion
process (Delverny 8: Chaiken, 1991). This ratio is rather more important to distinguish between coal dust
explosion from methane explosion-from examination of post explosion gases JTR Values 0.5 indicates
methane explosion, whence values around 0.85018 indicates coal dust explosion. Values in between are
indicative of both methane and coal dust explosion.
2.7 Litton Ratio
This ratio was designed to eliminate the potential for recognition of a mine fire when oxygen was reintroduced
into the mine during reopening. Only four gases are required to measure to determine this ratio. They are
oxygen, carbon monoxide, methane, and ethane. The atmosphere is divided into three parts: air, methane,
ethane, and residual gas. Residual gas (R g ) is the volume per cent of gas within a sealed coal mine after air,
methane and ethane have been eliminated from the sample. R g contains excess nitrogen (not part of air),
Products of Combustion (POC) (CO, CO 2 , H2 and hydrocarbons), along with products formed by
chemical processes not related to combustion and is presented as:
Rg = 100 air CH4 C2 H6,
where air = Alfa*O2 and Alfa = 100/20.946 = 4.774.
The CO concentration in parts per million of air within the residual gas is:
(CORg) = [(COs) / Rg ] X 100,
where (CO)S is the concentration of CO, ppm in the original sample.
Utilizing the concentration of CO within the residual gas a new parameter called the R-index (R 1 ) is derive d I
as:

From mathematical point of view, if CO within a sample remains constant while R g either increases or
decreases the R-index is the absolute value of the rate of change of the CO within the residual gas with respect
to change in the residual gas. If R1 is constant, either sustained low temperature combustion or a low rate of
ambient CO production is occurring. When combustion takes place the average R 1 will be greater than if
ambient CO production is occurring.
From any sample of gas, Rg can be calculated from the measured O 2 , CH4 and C2H6. From the measured value
of CO (in ppm) and the calculated value of R the actual value of R-index can be determined. This value is de-

noted by (RI )act . Further from the measured O2 concentration and the calculated Rg

value, a maximum

equilibrium value for the R-index can be calculated using following equation.

This equation has been obtained by Litton from the graph plotted R I vs the ratio Rg /O2 . The graph has been
plotted after collecting samples from behind stoppings when it was known that no combustion was present.
An equation RATIO determines the state of a sealed area:

If RATIO is equal to one it serves only as a benchmark that divides the region between unsafe and
possibly safe conditions. If it is greater than one, temperatures are above ambient and either smoldering
combustion or above ambient temperature oxidation is taking place. When RATIO is less than or equal to one it
represents that the temperature is ambient and a state of equilibrium exists. However equilibrium continues
only if RATIO stabilizes at a value less than one and remains there for at least 30.
2.8 Hydrogen/Methane Ratio
This ratio was developed by Mitchell and used as an indicator of flaming combustion. The progression of gas
liberation is normally: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, ethylene, propylene, and acetylene.
Combustion occurs as the temperature rises above the liberation point of hydrogen. Therefore, if gases above
hydro-gen are detected, an active fire is indicated.
2.9 Hydrocarbon Ratio
Justin and Kim have suggested a method by which drilling a large number of boreholes in a fire area
from surface and drawing out gas samples from within the location of a fire as well as its state of heating
could be determined. Methane is the primary hydrocarbon liberated at ambient temperatures. They have
shown that the desorption of low molecular weight hydrocarbon coal gases is directly related to temperatures.
The hydrocarbon ratio equation was derived as:

where THC = total hydrocarbon concentration, ppm; CH4= methane concentration, ppm ; and C = constant, 0.01
ppm.
RI equals to zero when no hydrocarbons are present in the sample, 10 when methane is the only
hydrocarbon measured and about 1010 at the upper limit. The only limiting factor is that methane must be
greater than 20 ppm.
2.10 Desorbed Hydrocarbon Index
Iustin and Kim (1988) suggested a novel method by which drilling a large number of boreholes in a fire area
from surface and drawing out gas samples from within, the location of a fire as well as its state of

heating

could be determined. They observed that the desorption of low molecular weight hydrocarbons (C1 C5)
from coal is temperature dependent. At ambient temperature the desorbed gas is primarily methane, but with rise
in temperature other hydrocarbons are also evolved.
They defined the concentration ratio RI as:
(1.01[THC] - [CH4])
RI= -----------------------------------x 1000
([THC] + C)
Where
THC = Conc. of total hydrocarbons in ppm .
CH4 = Conc. of methane in ppm
C = A constant ,
The value of RI, which of course is dependent on type of coal, decreases with cooling and increases with the
heating of coal. .
Merits:
In this method, sampling is done by collection of the system of moving gases within the fire area, applying
suction at boreholes. By plotting the g s analysis results from different borehole points as vectors, the seat of
heating may be located from the fact that the above desorbed gas will not appear on applying suction, if the
borehole sampling point is outside the fire/ heat zone. Thus, it enables to locate the seat of heating in a sealed
zone.
The index can also be used to characterize a fire from RI values,viz. for the bituminous coal RI index would
be as below:
0-50 for normal temperature,
50-100 for possible source of heating and, more than 100 indicates hot zone. The value increases with rise in
intensity of heating.
Demerits:

Drilling a large number of boreholes (4" dia) for monitoring as required in this method, may at times be a
difficult exercise in view of topographical constraints besides the prohibitive cost, particularly for deep
mines. On the other hand at shallow depths, the sample may get vitiated, due to air leakage from surface on

applying suction particularly in cases of not thoroughly well contained fires.

Emission of methane in a sealed fire area as well as its normal evolution as combustion product gases
(during fire), may mask the hydrocarbon content of the desorbed gases, affecting accuracy of the analysis
(ppm range) required for RI estimation.

3.0 Case Studies

3.1 CASE-1 (Low Intensity Fire Covering A Small Area)
Khus Kajora Cclliery, ECL, India the trend of values of different fire indices for a prolonged period of 5
months, as monitored from sample points from three stoppings of a small isolated fire areaare shown in Table
3.

Fire Status
ln this particular fire CO/O 2 def. values came down from 0.03% to nil, CO 2/O2 def. % around 50% and above,
CO/CO2 came down from 0.02 to nil, C/ H ratio value from 3-4, CO-residual gas content from 0.01 to nil,
Surface temperature over stoppings were in ambient level with pressure fluctuation in all the stoppings varying a
little, in both positive and negative direction along with baromatric fluctuations. It is evident from the above
results that a fire covering a small area started cooling down gradually with not much signs of air leakages. It
was later on confirmed by the rescue team who entered the fire area breaching a stopping, that average
temperature of inbye galleries were between 38-44C.
Table 3. Comparison of different fire indices of Panel P at Khas Kajora Colliery, ECL

3.2 CASE-2 (LOW INTENSITY FIRE COVERING AN EXTENSIVE AREA)

Laikdih Dip Colliery, 4 dip, top section, BCCL, India The trend of fire indices of this sealed zone covering a
large area are shown in Table. 4.
Fire Status
It could be observed that CO / O2 def. percentage mostly recorded zero values. CO 2/ O2 def. percentage between
20-50%, CO-residual gas content Showed 0.1 to nil, C / H ratio 1-3, CO/CO 2 mostly nil, at times little less than
2. Surface temperature profile of stoppings showed maximum values between 40-60C. Differential pressure
measurement through stoppings was mostly positivethough air leakages did exist in stopping 7 with high
oxygen percentage.
Table 4. Comparison of different fire indices of Laikdih Deep Colliery

Case-3 . Madhuban colliery fire (Borehole-1), Jharia Coalfield, Dhanbad, Jharkhand

A fire was detected in the year 1988 in the Madhuban colliery borehole number-1 and immediately efforts were
made to seal off the area to apply combat techniques through boreholes. The analytical results of the mine fire
gas samples and temperature are shown in Table 5 and Fig. 1. Samples were taken from July 1989 to October
1993. The sampling was done generally during mid-day (noon). The percentage of CO 2 was 9.63 in July 89,
declined to 8.80 in May 92 and finally rose to 10.45 in Oct. 93. The oxygen percentage was 10.72 in July 89,
increased to 12.17 in Dec. 89 and fell to 5.80 in Dec. 92. The presence of CO was observed only in July 89 and
Dec. 91 i.e. 0.246 and 0.020. The H 2 and CH4 were not detected. The amount of nitrogen gas was observed
fluctuating between 79.40% in July 89 and 83.37% in Dec. 92 and finally 79.91% in Oct. 93. The recording of
the temperature from the stopping was also carried out regularly by thermometers. In July 89 the temperature
was 42 C and rose to 46 C in June 91 and after a fluctuating trend finally 46 C in Oct. 93.
Table 5. Composition of gases and calculated mine fire gas indices in the isolation stopping of North-rise
top section, Pit-6, seam XI/XII, Madhuban colliery
Date

CO2 (%)

O2 (%)

CO (%)

N2 (%)

Temperature (C)

31.7.89
17.12.89
27.9.90
10.11.90
21.6.91
25.12.91
27.5.92
14.12.92
15.6.93
20.10.93

9.63
7.65
11.20
11.12
10.66
11.20
8.80
10.83
11.46
10.45

10.72
12.17
9.03
9.21
9.58
9.40
9.35
5.80
7.48
9.64

0.246
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.020
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

79.40
80.18
79.77
79.67
79.77
79.38
81.85
83.37
81.06
79.91

42.00
42.00
42.50
44.00
46.00
45.45
44.00
45.00
44.00
46.00

Time of sampling: mid day. Gases such as H2 and CH4 were not detected.
Fig. 1. Calculated mine fire gas indices in the isolation stopping of North-rise top section, Pit-6, seam XI/XII,
Madhuban colliery (CO2/O2 deficiency on secondary axis).

Fig.1

In this case, the fire was sealed off and the extraneous O 2 supply was checked. Pipes were fixed in the stoppings
to monitor the fire by collecting gas samples and recording the temperature regularly. Mine fire gas indices
CO/O2 deficiency and CO2/O2 deficiency were calculated (Fig.1). The CO/O2 deficiency ratio was only
determined as 2.38 in July 89 and 0.17 in Dec. 91. The CO2/O2 deficiency ratio was 93.3 in July 89. It decreased
in Dec. 89 and slowly increased up to Dec. 91. A marked reduction in Dec. 92 was observed with final
stabilization at 90.33 in Oct. 93. An active fire was proved, which was under control due to various measures
including liquid N2 infusion at last. The temperature was almost stabilized.

7. Conclusion
Fire ratios play a very important role in interpreting the status of a sealed off coal fire. Not all ratios can be used
in all cases. The ratios used will vary case to case depending upon the extent and condition of the fire. Finally, it
is concluded that when using any ratio attention must be given to understand its limitations and factors that can
affect its applicability. Different ratios and indicators will always give a more reliable interpretation than one
ratio alone.

References
Banerjee, S.C. (2000) Prevention and combating mine fires, Oxford and IBH publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd, pp.147180.
Singh, A.K. et al. (2007) Mine fire gas indices and their application to Indian underground coal mine fires, Int.
Journal of Coal Geology, Vol.69, Issue 3, February, pp.192-204.
Ray, S.K. et al (2004) Assessing the status of sealed fire in underground coal mines, JSIR,Vol.63.

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