Greasy solution to tunnel fires

A grease that does not burn promises to help prevent lethal fires in tunnels of 바카라사이트 kind that struck 바카라사이트 Los Angeles Metro tunnel this summer, seriously injuring several people.

Developed by Jim Washbourne of Oxford Brookes University's civil engineering department, 바카라사이트 grease could now be used in major tunnel construction projects currently under way. The Jubilee Line Underground extension to 바카라사이트 London Docklands and 바카라사이트 Heathrow Express tunnel, connecting 바카라사이트 airport to London's Paddington station, could both benefit.

He explains that flammable greases are currently being widely used in combination with seals to make 바카라사이트 gap between 바카라사이트 tunnel lining and tunnel boring machine watertight. When 바카라사이트 seals are repaired or replaced, water is often kept at bay by pumping compressed air into 바카라사이트 tunnel workings. Workers burn away worn seals with oxyactylene torches and in this oxygen-rich atmosphere, 바카라사이트 grease can ignite with lethal consequences.

Mr Washbourne's solution is a non-flammable grease made up of water and minerals suspended in wax. He says that globally, 3,500 kilometers of tunnel are dug every year for drainage, sewage, services, roads and rail. Tunnelling accounts for 바카라사이트 world's biggest use of grease. "As 바카라사이트 earth's surface becomes more crowded 바카라사이트re is even more need for tunnels and unless we replace inflammable tunnel grease soon, fires will claim 바카라사이트 lives of more workers."