Method for Suppressing and Extinguishing a Coal Seam Fire

An improved method and process for the suppression of coal seam fires consisting of the steps of:

• locating the nature and extent of the coal seam fire using topical and diagnostic testing, including aerial observation using thermal deviation and observed geological indicators known to be associated with underground thermal issues;
• pinpointing and identifying the outer perimeter or coal seam fire area, including the upper boundary or geological ceiling and lower boundary or geological floor of said active coal seam fire area;
• determining the minimal number of least environmentally detrimental surface locations for the application of directional boring equipment to a plurality of fire perimeter points from a minimal number of surface locations to conduct directional boring;
• drilling a plurality of directional bore holes from said minimal number of surface locations to completely surround said active coal seam fire area providing said multiple bore holes from said surface locations into said outer perimeter, said upper boundary and said lower boundary of said coal seam fire area;
• applying by forcible injection large quantities of a foam mixture comprising soap, water and an inert gas into each of said plurality of bore holes contemporaneously to wet and cool said fire within said coal seam fire area into a central core of said coal seam from said outer perimeter to said central core, forcible displacing combustion air sources for said coal seam fire until such time said entire coal seam has been saturated with said foam mixture to extinguish said coal seam fire;
• confirming said extinction of said coal seam fire and any reignition of said coal seam fire;
• filling said plurality of said bore holes with cement or a dense slurry of materials removed during said boring process to seal said plurality of said bore holes to eliminate any intrusion of combustion air into said plurality of said bore holes to prevent subsequent reignition of any further coal seam fire;
• and
• restoring said minimal number of said surface locations to a pre-suppression condition prior to application of said method and process.