Regularities of Methane and Coal Dust Ignition Caused by Electric Sources in Mine Workings

I.E. Kolesnichenko, E.A. Kolesnichenko , E.I. Lyubomishchenko, E.I. Kolesnichenko, A.A. Evsyukova
Platov South-Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI), Shakhty, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №4 / 2021 р. 119-124

Abstract: Fires and explosions pose the greatest threat in underground mines that use high-voltage electrical grids. The paper presents data on explosions of combustible methane and coal dust mixtures in Russian mines. It is shown that there always exists a high risk of fire resulting from a malfunction in the electrical grid. The research aims at determining the type and parameters of an electric arc, spark or open flame generated at the breaking points of electric conductors which initiate the ignition of a combustible medium. It was found that the commonly known ionic and thermal theories of ignition do not match the present state of knowledge. The methodology consisted in investigating patterns of electric charge generation and transfer up to the point of the mains failure. Regularities of energy processes in the atomic and molecular structure of the conductor material are presented. For the first time ever the concept of transformation of the electromagnetic energy generated in the alternator into photon packets of high-frequency energy is justified. An electron of the conductor atom absorbs a quantum of the generated energy, converts the generated frequency into a high-frequency photon packet and radiates it into the electric grid. It has been found that an electric arc or a spark, acting as a source of ignition for a combustible medium, is an electromagnetic emission of energy in the visible range.

Keywords: methane explosions, coal dust, ignition source, electric spark, quantum theory, electron, energy radiation, electromagnetic energy, electric grid, alternating current

For citation: Kolesnichenko I.E., Kolesnichenko E.A., Lyubomishchenko E.I., Kolesnichenko E.I., Evsyukova A.A. Regularities of Methane and Coal Dust Ignition Caused by Electric Sources in Mine Workings. Gornaya promyshlennost = Russian Mining Industry. 2021;(4):119–124. (In Russ.) DOI 10.30686/1609-9192-2021-4-119-124.

Article info

Received: 20.06.2021

Revised: 09.07.2021

Accepted: 12.07.2021

Information about the authors

Igor E. Kolesnichenko – Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Construction and Technogenic Safety Department, Deputy Director – Academic Advisor at the Shakhty Road Institute (branch), Platov South-Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI), Shakhty, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Evgeny A. Kolesnichenko – Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Professor at the Construction and Technogenic Safety Department of the Shakhty Road Institute (branch), Platov SouthRussian State Polytechnic University (NPI), Shakhty, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ekaterina I. Lyubomishchenko – Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor at the Motor Road Design and Construction Department of the Shakhty Road Institute (branch), Platov South-Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI), Shakhty, Russian Federation; ORCID: https:// orcid.org/0000-0002-9495-7385; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Evgeny I. Kolesnichenko – Student at the Motor Road Design and Construction Department of the Shakhty Road Institute (branch), Platov South-Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI), Shakhty, Russian Federation; e-mail: z_kolesnichenko@ mail.ru

Alina A. Evsyukova – Student at the Department of Transport Safety and Road Infrastructure Management of the Shakhty Road Institute (branch), Platov South-Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI), Shakhty, Russian Federation; e-mail: alinka_ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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