Re: [cdn-nucl-l] Jet Engine Successful in Fighting Mine Fire

[AtomicRod@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/2/03 7:41:18 PM, adam.mclean@utoronto.ca writes:


> Posted on the US DOE fossil energy web page on June 2, 2003 and at:
> http://www.fossil.energy.gov/techline/tl_jetengine_minefire.shtml
> The fire was expected to burn for 14 months?!  Why not just fill it with
> water, then pump it out?
>
> Adam

Adam:
Perhaps the mine is a little bigger than you might imagine. According to the story, it took 10 days for the jet engine running at half power to fill the mine with inert gas. Jet engines pump a tremendous volume of gas through them in comparison with the volume of water that even the largest pumps can handle. Filling a mine with water and then pumping it out would be a task of considerable magnitude and would include such considerations as where do you find sufficient water and where do you put the contaminated water once you pump it out. 

Rod