PULSED INFUSION

Series

Series Name
Mining Review 10th Year

Issue

Issue No.
8
Date Released
Apr 1957
Stories in this Issue:
  1. 1HUNGARIANS IN BRITAIN
  2. 2DOUBLE DUTCH
  3. 3PULSED INFUSION
  4. 4SONG OF THE COALFIELDS: The Sandgate Nursing Man

Story

Story No. within this Issue
3 / 4
Summary
NoS synopsis: new technique of shot-firing using pulsed infusion
NCB Commentary - Vane Tempest Colliery in County Durham is one of the locations where a new technique in shot-firing is being used.
Here, at Vane Tempest, they are driving forward stable holes on a Meco Moore face by pulsed infusion and releasing a coal cutting machine for other duties.
The first step is to drill shot holes into the coal, as in normal practice. Into these holes water will be injected at high pressure. A lance is inserted to introduce the water into the face.
Water infusion means, in any case, that the dust hazard is reduced. It also means that high explosives in gassy seams are made safer, and since water under pressure makes a solid obstacle the force of the explosion is transmitted more effectively.
Five gallons of water are injected into every shot hole at a pressure of several hundred pounds to the square inch.
Returning to the face, the shot firer makes the normal test for gas before charging the hole.
Now one of the new special explosives is introduced, an explosive which will resist water penetration and high pressure.
The infusion lance comes into play once more, water is injected again at high pressure, and again a routine test is made for gas.
Firing follows standard practice except that special detonators capable of withstanding a high pressure of water are used.
Using pulsed infusion the coal parts cleanly, dust is reduced and safety at the face is enhanced.
Researcher Comments
Commentary recorded 4th March 1957.
Keywords
Science and technology; Mining
Written sources
British Film Institute Databases
Film User   Vol.12 No.137 March 1958, p118.
The National Archives COAL 32   /12 Scripts for Mining Review, 1956-1960
Credits:
Production Co.
Documentary Technicians Alliance
Sponsor
National Coal Board

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