Investigation of the causes of combustion events in Silopy Harbul Asphaltite surface mining

Asphaltite is a solid fuel, which occurs when petroleum is subjected to metamorphism as a result of tectonic movements and leaves its bowl filled with cracks and fractures. Although coal is considered to be a product of vegetable residues such as peat and lignite, it is chemically composed of hydrocarbon mixtures. Asphaltites can be used as energy sources in thermal power plants such as coal due to high calories. asphaltites reserves in Turkey is located in South East Asia Minor generally consist either in the form of veins. Currently, these fleets; production is carried out by open pit method using drilling and blasting method. However, after some shoots in asphaltite, large-scale fires occur due to hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, propane, butane, etc.) contained in the asphaltite. These fire incidents; very serious occupational health and safety problems occur and cause calorie loss in coal. However, due to the fire fighting, the production performance is negatively affected. The aim of this study was to analyze the fire incidents that occurred in the open quarry of Harbul fleet of SİLOPİ Elektrik Üretim A.Ş. in detail, to investigate the causes and to make recommendations for prevention. Key Words: Asphaltite, Harbul Fleet, Drilling-Blasting, Gas Flare-Fire