Influence of Organic Aerosol in Coal Mines on the Ignition Limit of Methane-Air Mixture

It is shown that during mechanical action on coal, along with the emission of gaseous combustible compounds, high-molecular hydrocarbons are released, which, in turn, leads to the formation of an organic aerosol. The lower limit of ignition of a methane-air mixture with an organic aerosol is determined. The methane and aerosol concentrations varied within 0–50 g/m 3 and 0–6.5 mol %, respectively. The obtained dependences of the lower limit of ignition on the concentrations of combustible components can be useful in improving the explosion safety in coal mines.