firedamp

fire·damp

F0135800 (fīr′dămp′)n.1. A combustible gas, chiefly methane, often occurring in mines in association with bituminous coal.2. The explosive mixture of firedamp and air.

firedamp

(ˈfaɪəˌdæmp) n (Mining & Quarrying) a mixture of hydrocarbons, chiefly methane, formed in coal mines. It forms explosive mixtures with air. See also afterdamp

fire•damp

(ˈfaɪ^ərˌdæmp)

n. a combustible gas dangerously explosive when mixed with atmospheric air. [1670–80]

Thesaurus

Noun

firedamp - a mixture of gases (mostly methane) that form in coal mines and become explosive when mixed with airgas - a fluid in the gaseous state having neither independent shape nor volume and being able to expand indefinitely

Translations

grisou

firedamp

firedamp:

see dampdamp,
in mining, any mixture of gases in an underground mine, especially oxygen-deficient or noxious gases. The term damp probably is derived from the German dampf, meaning fog or vapor. Several distinct types of damp are recognized.
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Firedamp

a combustible gas released usually in coal mines, less often in salt, metal-ore, and sulfur mines. Firedamp is colorless, lighter than air (since it consists mainly of methane), and contains nitrogen, neon, argon, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide and traces of ethane, propane, ethylene, and other hydrocarbons. In mineral deposits it results from the decomposition of organic substances caused by microorganisms, heat, pressure, and sometimes radiation. When the content of firedamp in the air is from 5 to 16 percent (as measured by methane content), the mixture produced can be ignited by a flame or sparks and cause explosions and fires.

Permissible firedamp concentrations range from 0.5 to 2 percent. The explosive accumulation of the gas is lowered by mine ventilation. Special safety lighting and electrical equipment is used to prevent firedamp from igniting. Firedamp in a mine atmosphere reduces the concentration of oxygen, which may lead to suffocation.

firedamp

[′fīr‚damp] (mining engineering) A gas formed in mines by decomposition of coal or other carbonaceous matter; consists chiefly of methane and is combustible. An airtight stopping to isolate an underground fire and to prevent the inflow of fresh air and the outflow of foul air. Also known as fire wall.

firedamp

fire·damp

firedamp

fire•damp

firedamp

firedamp:

Firedamp

firedamp

firedamp

Words related to firedamp

noun a mixture of gases (mostly methane) that form in coal mines and become explosive when mixed with air

Related Words