This book aims to understand, analyze and mitigate the harmful impacts of spontaneous coal combustion in underground mines, a thermal phenomenon that triggers fires and explosions threatening the safety of mine workers globally. Based on experimental and theoretical research findings, the book emphasizes three essential questions that are fundamental to understand spontaneous coal combustion: What are the root causes? How to evaluate the causative factors to determine the activity of coal? and How to bring this issue under control in real longwall panel? Readers are introduced to experimental techniques applied to investigate the basic molecular structure of coal and evaluate chemical properties that induce self-heating behavior, theoretical analyses to predict the extrinsic effect on low temperature oxidation of coal in experimental scale and full-size longwall panel, and preventive measures to mitigate this issue using methods for retardant screening, numerical simulations for optimal grouting and nitrogen injections, and case studies analyzing thermal events using mine atmosphere gas monitoring data. The book will be of interest to students and researchers studying mining engineering and chemistry, as well as engineers and practitioners involved in coal mine development and risk assessment.

A Gallery of Combustion and Fire is the first book to provide a graphical perspective of the extremely visual phenomenon of combustion in full color. It is designed primarily to be used in parallel with, and supplement existing combustion textbooks that are usually in black and white, making it a challenge to visualize such a graphic phenomenon. Each image includes a description of how it was generated, which is detailed enough for the expert but simple enough for the novice. Processes range from small scale academic flames up to full scale industrial flames under a wide range of conditions such as low and normal gravity, atmospheric to high pressures, actual and simulated flames, and controlled and uncontrolled flames. Containing over 500 color images, with over 230 contributors from over 75 organizations, this volume is a valuable asset for experts and novices alike.

These research papers also cover a spectrum of innovative technical solutions, including computer-controlled mining equipment, remote monitoring of air quality, and virtual reality training systems.

Here readers will find a summary of proceedings at a highly important NATO workshop. The ARW Advanced Combustion and Aerothermal Technologies: Environmental Protection and Pollution Reductions, was held in Kiev, May 2006. The workshop was co-directed by Profs. N. Syred and A.Khalatov, winners of the NATO Scientific Prize 2002, and was organized by the Institute of Thermophysics (Ukraine) and Cardiff University, UK. The primary workshop objective was to assess the existing knowledge on advanced combustion and aerothermal technologies providing reduced environmental impact.