Application of Thermography Technique for Assessment and Monitoring of Coal Mine Fire: A Special Reference to Jharia Coal Field, Jharkhand, India

Abstract

Coal mine fire problem occurs globally and endangering miners’ life. It leads to environmental pollution as well as economic loss to the local and regional governance. Surface coal mine fire affected areas are generally detected by thermal survey of an area. Temperature observations through thermometer or thermocouple are used in most cases as traditional monitoring of coal fire. Infrared thermograph technique combination with GPS topography has more advantage over traditional monitoring in terms of efficiency, precision and less costly. A large surface area can be seen, captured, and presented in thermal and visual form in very short interval of time. This paper describes basic principle, monitoring procedure and application of thermography in Jharia Coalfields (JCF) to assess coal mine fire affected areas and strategy to control it.