An integrated methodology for monitoring spontaneous combustion of coal waste dumps based on surface temperature detection

Highlights: • A new methodology for constructing surface temperature distribution is proposed. • The procedure of data collection and data processing is studied. • The model obtained presents spatial coordinates and temperature information. • This research is capable of giving an early warning for preventing fire disasters. - Abstract: Coal mining wastes are prone to spontaneous combustion, causing burning environmental issues and a threat to human safety. To warn about such spontaneous combustion, mapping surface temperature distribution and locating surface anomalous zones is needed. The new methodology developed in this study was achieved following four primary steps, including field investigation procedures, data pre-processing procedures, data coupling, and 3D visualization. Eventually, a 3D temperature distribution model was presented, and the observed zones were classified into three categories basing on different temperature levels. This new methodology may be useful in monitoring and locating the potential risk zones in advance and making an early warning and allowing to prevent spontaneous combustion.