Review of conveyor belt fires in coal mines: A multiscale analysis of combustion, smoke propagation, and intelligent monitoring

Coal remains the foundation of Chinese energy infrastructure, with production expected to reach 4.78 billion tons in 2024. However, underground mining operations continually face fire hazards, particularly from conveyor-belt systems, which correspond to the primary mechanical transport methods in coal mines. This study systematically examines the mechanisms of combustion, dynamics of smoke dispersion, and advanced strategies for mitigating conveyor belt fires. Moreover, a dual-parameter monitoring framework that integrated equipment diagnostics with environmental surveillance was proposed. Additionally, wireless sensor monitoring and AI-based (Artificial Intelligence, AI for short) visual recognition technologies have been identified as essential tools for fire management. The key findings highlight the urgent need to develop flame-retardant materials, large-scale testing platforms, and wireless sensor networks to improve mining safety standards.