Method and apparatus for environment protection (climate change) from toxic elements and subsidence by existing underground coal seam fires by expansion termination of these fires. The method is based on creating, on the path of or around a burning coal seam fire, a subterranean void-barrier, with non-combustible gases (or fluids) and absence of oxidiser. The void-barrier may be substantially free from combustible material. The void-barrier will prevent further expansion of the existing coal seam fire, and may be created by known methods of coal extraction in gasified form, such as Underground Coal Gasification (USG). By-products from void-barrier creation can be utilized to reduce environmental pollution and for production of useful commercial entities such as gas or liquid fuels like: petrol, diesel, jet fuel, avgas, paraffin or electrical power generation and/or chemicals like CO.sub.2 for enrichment of coal or which may be sold.

Method and apparatus for environment protection (climate change) from toxic elements and subsidence by existing underground coal seam fires by expansion termination of these fires. The method is based on creating, on the path of or around a burning coal seam fire, a subterranean void-barrier, with non-combustible gases (or fluids) and absence of oxidiser. The void-barrier may be substantially free from combustible material. The void-barrier will prevent further expansion of the existing coal seam fire, and may be created by known methods of coal extraction in gasified form, such as Underground Coal Gasification (USG). By-products from void-barrier creation can be utilized to reduce environmental pollution and for production of useful commercial entities such as gas or liquid fuels like: petrol, diesel, jet fuel, avgas, paraffin or electrical power generation and/or chemicals like CO.sub.2 for enrichment of coal or which may be sold.

The invention is directed towards methods and compositions for treating piles of particulate materials to inhibit and prevent the loss of valuable fuel or mineral dust from being released from storage piles or open containers. The method involves applying separately to the pile two different compositions. When separate the two compositions are low viscosity and easy to spray. When combined the two form a gel coating that is resistant to erosion but is flexible while the pile or payload is still settling, jostling, being bumped, and otherwise moving around. This coating is especially effective for coal piles, iron ore piles, and also for piles within and/or being moved by open topped railroad cars. The coating's flexibility prevents the coating from becoming brittle and shattering. The coating has better performance than its ingredients do alone. As a result the invention can both prevent unwanted dust pollution as well as save its users money by avoiding loss of blown away material.

The invention is directed towards methods and compositions for treating piles of particulate materials to inhibit and prevent the loss of valuable fuel or mineral dust from being released from storage piles or open containers. The method involves applying separately to the pile two different compositions. When separate the two compositions are low viscosity and easy to spray. When combined the two form a gel coating that is resistant to erosion but is flexible while the pile or payload is still settling, jostling, being bumped, and otherwise moving around. This coating is especially effective for coal piles, iron ore piles, and also for piles within and/or being moved by open topped railroad cars. The coating's flexibility prevents the coating from becoming brittle and shattering. The coating has better performance than its ingredients do alone. As a result the invention can both prevent unwanted dust pollution as well as save its users money by avoiding loss of blown away material.

The invention is directed towards methods and compositions for treating piles of particulate materials to inhibit and prevent the loss of valuable fuel or mineral dust from being released from storage piles or open containers. The method involves applying separately to the pile two different compositions. When separate the two compositions are low viscosity and easy to spray. When combined the two form a gel coating that is resistant to erosion but is flexible while the pile or payload is still settling, jostling, being bumped, and otherwise moving around. This coating is especially effective for coal piles, iron ore piles, and also for piles within and/or being moved by open topped railroad cars. The coating's flexibility prevents the coating from becoming brittle and shattering. The coating has better performance than its ingredients do alone. As a result the invention can both prevent unwanted dust pollution as well as save its users money by avoiding loss of blown away material.

Method and apparatus for environment protection (climate change) from toxic elements and subsidence by existing underground coal seam fires by expansion termination of these fires. The method is based on creating, on the path of or around a burning coal seam fire, a subterranean void-barrier, with non-combustible gases (or fluids) and absence of oxidiser. The void-barrier may be substantially free from combustible material. The void-barrier will prevent further expansion of the existing coal seam fire, and may be created by known methods of coal extraction in gasified form, such as Underground Coal Gasification (USG). By-products from void-barrier creation can be utilized to reduce environmental pollution and for production of useful commercial entities such as gas or liquid fuels like: petrol, diesel, jet fuel, avgas, paraffin or electrical power generation and/or chemicals like CO.sub.2 for enrichment of coal or which may be sold.

Method and apparatus for environment protection (climate change) from toxic elements and subsidence by existing underground coal seam fires by expansion termination of these fires. The method is based on creating, on the path of or around a burning coal seam fire, a subterranean void-barrier, with non-combustible gases (or fluids) and absence of oxidiser. The void-barrier may be substantially free from combustible material. The void-barrier will prevent further expansion of the existing coal seam fire, and may be created by known methods of coal extraction in gasified form, such as Underground Coal Gasification (USG). By-products from void-barrier creation can be utilized to reduce environmental pollution and for production of useful commercial entities such as gas or liquid fuels like: petrol, diesel, jet fuel, avgas, paraffin or electrical power generation and/or chemicals like CO.sub.2 for enrichment of coal or which may be sold.