COAL GAS CAUSED EXPLOSION

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30763, 29 May 1965, Page 3

COAL GAS CAUSED EXPLOSION

(N Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 28.

A Wellington scientist said today that the explosion on the collier Kokiri on March 13 was caused by methane gas liberated from coal in the holds.

The explosion would never have occurred had the holds been ventilated properly, he said.

The scientist, Walter Gordon Hughson, chief fuel chemist of the D.5.1.R., was giving evidence during the fifth day of the magisterial inquiry into the disaster. He said methane gas formed an explosive mixture when it was mixed in the right proportions with air. “It need only a spark to set it alight,” he said. The inquiry into the explosion is presided over by Mr Wicks, S.M. He is assisted by a panel of asessors, Captain W. J. Keane and Messrs

R. N. Kerr and S. R. Eyeington.

The explosion, which occurred when the ship was a few hundred yards from Aotea quay, Wellington, killed one seaman and another, flung overboard by the blast, is presumed dead. Mr Hughson said coal from the Liverpool number three mine at Greymouth, which made up a large proportion of the collier’s cargo, had been found to emit 140 cubic feet of flammable gases a ton. Some English anthracites emitted up to 400 cubic feet a ton, he said. He calculated that the amount of gas which accumulated in the holds in the 26 hours between the time the ship left Greymouth and the time the explosion occurred, was 1470 cubic feet. This, when mixed with the air in the holds, constituted about 9 per cent of the volume, “just about the most explosive mixture possible.” He believed the first explosion occurred when gas in the deckhouse was set

alight by a spark from electrical switchgear. The blast travelled down a blocked ventilator to number two hold where the second explosion occurred.

Mr Hughson said he had inspected the Kawatiri and Kaitoa, other colliers of the Union Steamship Company.

He found there was no appreciable gas accumulation in their holds because of good ventilation. However, there were spaces in which gas could gather and he had suggested these be ventilated.

Mr Hughson also suggested that:

More information was needed about the emission of gas from New Zealand coals.

Procedures adopted for ventilating dangerous gases from underground workings should be extended to cover subsequent transport and storage.

Present ventilators of ship’s coal holds should be modified to allow gases to escape more freely.

No electrical, or other equipment which could produce sparks, should be installed where gases from a coal cargo could reach it.

Another witness, Mr Archibald Auld, superintendent of the mine rescue station, Greymouth, said positive fan ventilation should be installed in holds of ships carrying gasious coals. The hearing will continue on Monday.