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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
09:05
Supercritical Nitrogen Processing for the Purification of Reactive Porous Materials
Published on: May 15, 2015
[Fire fighting with nitrogen in the German coal mining industry]
Revue De L'Institut D'Hygiene Des Mines
|January 1, 1983
Summary
Liquid nitrogen inert gas fire suppression, first used in German coal mines in 1974, eliminates explosion hazards and improves safety for mine rescue operations. Training for low-oxygen environments is now crucial for mine rescue teams.
Area of Science:
- Mining Engineering
- Fire Safety Science
Context:
- Inert gas fire suppression has been utilized for decades.
- The German coal mining industry pioneered the use of liquid nitrogen in 1974 for underground mine fires.
Purpose:
- To detail the implementation and effectiveness of liquid nitrogen as an inert gas for mine fire suppression.
- To highlight the safety advantages and operational improvements offered by this method in mine rescue scenarios.
Summary:
- Liquid nitrogen gasification at the surface and subsequent delivery underground became a standard mine fire-fighting procedure in Germany.
- This method significantly reduces explosion risks and enhances working conditions during mine rescue operations.
- A 1982 large-scale fire demonstrated the ability to control and reopen fire zones sequentially, provided specific conditions are met.
Impact:
- The neutralization method presents new technical and safety challenges for mine rescue services.
- Specialized training in low-oxygen environments is now an essential component of mine rescue personnel development.
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