Forecasting and monitoring of dynamie methane phenomena in coal mines based on the relative temperature of unmined coal

The paper discusses the method and apparatus for non-contact measurement of temperaturę of the coal mass within prospecting boreholes, with the aim of making a current prognosis of the hazard due to the outburst of methane and rock in driven mine headings, and of determining the buffer zone to protect the heading against unexpected outbursts. The probe to control borehole temperature operates on the basis of non-contact measurement of temperaturę. It is designed to perform continuous measurements of the relative temperature along the walls of the prospecting borehole with the diameter of 50-90 mm, and to determine the outburst hazard zones in the coal headings of the mine workings. The measurement of temperature along the borehole, realised by means of the probe, is aimed at locating the hazard zone (HZ) in respect of the outburst, and at simultancous determining the buffer safety zone (BSZ). The determination of HZ and BSZ zones is of vital importance for safety of mining crews employed at driving the workings in coal seams endangered with outbursts of methane and rock. The HZ zone provides information on the location of oceurrence of the hazard zone in respect of the outburst ahead of the front of the driven working. In turn, the BSZ zone defines the thickness of the stress-relieved and degassed protective coal mass, protecting the heading against a direct contact with the BSZ zone.