Investigation of Methane Emissions From an Advancing Face in the Belle Isle Domal Salt Mine, Louisiana

The Bureau of Mines measured methane emission rates from an advancing salt face ranging from 15 to 56 ft3/ton (0.5 to 1.8 M3/t). Small room size, use of a continuous miner, and a well-defined ventilation system made possible air velocity and methane concentration measurements. These measurements, representing data from 18 production days, were conducted in an area of abnormally low- grade salt. Methane emissions occurred primarily during the advance of the salt face by continuous miner.