1
25-064
Optimization of Fire Suppression Nozzle Location on
Simulated Mobile Mine Equipment
Wei Tang
CDC NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA
Davood Bahrami
CDC NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA
Richard Thomas
CDC NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA
Liming Yuan
CDC NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA
ABSTRACT
The location and orientation of fire suppression nozzles
is critical in suppressing mobile mine equipment fires. To
effectively suppress such fires, optimization needs to be con-
sidered for the suppression nozzle locations and discharge
angle. Detailed experiments were conducted to study the
effectiveness of fire suppression agents with different nozzle
configurations. A variety of fire suppression systems includ-
ing dry chemical, wet chemical, dual agent (dry and wet
chemical), carbon dioxide, and water mist were used. Six
types of nozzle locations were studied, and their fire sup-
pression effectiveness were compared. Results from this
work highlight potential considerations when determining
effective fire suppression designs.
INTRODUCTION
Mineworkers frequently confront the peril of mine equip-
ment fires, which can erupt in both surface and underground
mines, often resulting in injuries or fatalities. The efficacy of
fire suppression systems installed on such equipment may
be hampered by deficiencies in design and installation prac-
tices. A significant portion of reported mine fires stem from
equipment malfunctions, notably ignitions of combus-
tible fluids like hydraulic fluid leaking onto heated engine
surfaces due to hose ruptures. To curtail the incidence of
equipment fires, it is imperative to devise robust measures
aimed at mitigating or forestalling hot surface ignitions on
mining machinery. Enhancing fire suppression techniques
for equipment fires is vital for safeguarding equipment
operators against fire-related injuries and fatalities. Despite
the inclusion of fire suppression systems in certain min-
ing equipment, their effectiveness is often compromised by
subpar design, inadequate installation, and potential dam-
age from fire if not promptly activated [1].
A variety of fire-extinguishing agents, including dry
chemical, wet chemical, carbon dioxide, water mist, and
foam, can be employed within a fire suppression system.
The effectiveness of each agent varies depending on factors
such as the type of fuel involved, fire location, available fuel
quantity, and surrounding ventilation. Major mechanisms
for fire suppressi`on encompass cooling, fuel separation or
removal, oxygen dilution, and disruption of the combus-
tion chain reaction. Each fire-extinguishing agent targets
one or more of these mechanisms. Dry chemical agents,
typically composed of a non-conductive powder mixture,
are used extensively for suppressing mine fires. Wet chemi-
cal agents, comprising a blend of organic and inorganic
salts in solution, were initially developed for cooking-oil
fires and can create a temporary foam layer atop flammable
liquids to facilitate cooling and prevent exposure to air.
Carbon dioxide, a long-standing fire suppressing solution,
is employed for suppressing flammable liquids, gas fires,
and electrical fires by depleting oxygen, albeit with limited
cooling capabilities.
The positioning of fire suppression nozzles is another
critical parameter for their effectiveness in suppressing fires.
Proper placement ensures adequate coverage of potential
fire hazard areas and optimal discharge angles to target the
fire source. Evaluating these factors may enhance the overall
efficiency of fire suppression systems and reduce the risk of
fire-related injuries, fatalities, and equipment damage. In
this study, six configurations of fire suppression nozzle posi-
tioning were selected to investigate their respective impact
on the suppression effectiveness, and a comparison is made
25-064
Optimization of Fire Suppression Nozzle Location on
Simulated Mobile Mine Equipment
Wei Tang
CDC NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA
Davood Bahrami
CDC NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA
Richard Thomas
CDC NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA
Liming Yuan
CDC NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA
ABSTRACT
The location and orientation of fire suppression nozzles
is critical in suppressing mobile mine equipment fires. To
effectively suppress such fires, optimization needs to be con-
sidered for the suppression nozzle locations and discharge
angle. Detailed experiments were conducted to study the
effectiveness of fire suppression agents with different nozzle
configurations. A variety of fire suppression systems includ-
ing dry chemical, wet chemical, dual agent (dry and wet
chemical), carbon dioxide, and water mist were used. Six
types of nozzle locations were studied, and their fire sup-
pression effectiveness were compared. Results from this
work highlight potential considerations when determining
effective fire suppression designs.
INTRODUCTION
Mineworkers frequently confront the peril of mine equip-
ment fires, which can erupt in both surface and underground
mines, often resulting in injuries or fatalities. The efficacy of
fire suppression systems installed on such equipment may
be hampered by deficiencies in design and installation prac-
tices. A significant portion of reported mine fires stem from
equipment malfunctions, notably ignitions of combus-
tible fluids like hydraulic fluid leaking onto heated engine
surfaces due to hose ruptures. To curtail the incidence of
equipment fires, it is imperative to devise robust measures
aimed at mitigating or forestalling hot surface ignitions on
mining machinery. Enhancing fire suppression techniques
for equipment fires is vital for safeguarding equipment
operators against fire-related injuries and fatalities. Despite
the inclusion of fire suppression systems in certain min-
ing equipment, their effectiveness is often compromised by
subpar design, inadequate installation, and potential dam-
age from fire if not promptly activated [1].
A variety of fire-extinguishing agents, including dry
chemical, wet chemical, carbon dioxide, water mist, and
foam, can be employed within a fire suppression system.
The effectiveness of each agent varies depending on factors
such as the type of fuel involved, fire location, available fuel
quantity, and surrounding ventilation. Major mechanisms
for fire suppressi`on encompass cooling, fuel separation or
removal, oxygen dilution, and disruption of the combus-
tion chain reaction. Each fire-extinguishing agent targets
one or more of these mechanisms. Dry chemical agents,
typically composed of a non-conductive powder mixture,
are used extensively for suppressing mine fires. Wet chemi-
cal agents, comprising a blend of organic and inorganic
salts in solution, were initially developed for cooking-oil
fires and can create a temporary foam layer atop flammable
liquids to facilitate cooling and prevent exposure to air.
Carbon dioxide, a long-standing fire suppressing solution,
is employed for suppressing flammable liquids, gas fires,
and electrical fires by depleting oxygen, albeit with limited
cooling capabilities.
The positioning of fire suppression nozzles is another
critical parameter for their effectiveness in suppressing fires.
Proper placement ensures adequate coverage of potential
fire hazard areas and optimal discharge angles to target the
fire source. Evaluating these factors may enhance the overall
efficiency of fire suppression systems and reduce the risk of
fire-related injuries, fatalities, and equipment damage. In
this study, six configurations of fire suppression nozzle posi-
tioning were selected to investigate their respective impact
on the suppression effectiveness, and a comparison is made