Early detection of spontaneous combustion of coal in underground coal mines with development of an ethylene enriching system

►An ethylene enriching system or EES, based on physical adsorption and desorption properties of ethylene, has been developed to increase ethylene detection sensitivity in mine air by about 10 times. ►Application of the EES has enabled the early detection of ethylene. Field tests have shown that the detection time of ethylene was advanced by 2 to 3 weeks, providing mine operators with precious time required to implement effective sponcom control measures.