Gas Content Determinations of Salt Samples Using Acoustic Responses

The Bureau of Mines has developed a practical methodology for determining occluded gas contents of domal rock salt samples. The method, which is portable and fieldworthy, provides results in 5 min or less and does not require a laboratory environment or specially trained personnel to obtain meaningful results. The results can be used to identify gas-enriched zones, and thus may aid mine operators in production planning or ventilation design. The test method is based on the relationship between gas content and the acoustic response of salt samples as they are dissolved in water. The relationship is defined by an equation, and the results are repeatable. The equation was derived by testing a series of rock salt samples collected from domal salt mines in Louisiana.