2 x Stand Pipes/methane probably?

[mickyf]

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone knows why at 2 closed Collieries where or why are there 2 stand pipes cadged off coming out of the ground where the shaft was,?? I thought when the shafts was filled in that was it, ive been on 2 shaft in-fills with the limestone pebbles etc at intervals but whats the reason for the pipes?? anyone know. There are 2 pipes at Silverhill Colliery and 2 pipes at Langton Colliery close by to where I live, thanks

Stan

[John]

Apr 28, 2015 14:07:02 GMT -5 mickyf said:

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone knows why at 2 closed Collieries where or why are there 2 stand pipes cadged off coming out of the ground where the shaft was,?? I thought when the shafts was filled in that was it, ive been on 2 shaft in-fills with the limestone pebbles etc at intervals but whats the reason for the pipes?? anyone know. There are 2 pipes at Silverhill Colliery and 2 pipes at Langton Colliery close by to where I live, thanks

Stan

Could be two reasons Stan, one as you say, to vent gas and probably to be able to lower a camera down to inspect whether the infill has slumped. There are a few shafts around with inspection pipes installed after the infill had slumped and the shaft had to be topped up and recapped.
I was reading about one slump, they poured a new cap, then drilled through it right to the shaft bottom and did a total examination of the infill., after finished, they put a pipe through the hole in the cap, poured another cap on top, then filled the rest of the top of the shaft with top soil, leaving the pipe with access.

[Wheldale]

It's most probably to vent methane. Methane vents easily through a filled shaft so the vent is used to release it in to the atmosphere.