slide 1: Choose High Performing Underground Vent
Systems
Underground mines of all sizes need a well-planned ventilation system to deliver fresh air to all
working places. Mine ventilation is the process of supplying sufficient fresh air to the underground
workings to achieve these purposes ensuring proper distribution use of the air and controlling
the return to surface of contaminated air. Mine ventilation is vital to dilute and remove gases
dust heat and to supply oxygen for breathing and for engines.
Mechanical equipment is used particularly in large-scale mining for a variety of purposes and is a
source of several potentially toxic gases as well as of heat. Only diesel engines should be used
underground in a mobile not static application.
Various gases may occur naturally in mines due to geological processes decay of timber and other
organic material and other causes. Coal mines are specifically susceptible to the presence of
natural gases. These include toxic gases such as hydrogen sulphide H2S but the most significant
are flammable gases of which the most common is methane. However other flammable gases
may occur. Also flammable gases may occur not only in coal mines but also in metallic mines.
slide 2: Although the process of ventilation in underground mines may seem relatively simple getting the
right quantity and quality of air to where it is required when it is required in an expanding mining
environment is an elaborate operation that needs an array of ventilation components.
Typical ventilation systems consist of the main fan system air regulators and doors that distribute
air through the mine. There are also auxiliary systems that ventilate local production areas and
workshops. Air requirements in an area depend on its location the number of people there and
which machines are being used.
The contaminants to be controlled by dilution ventilation are primarily gases and dust although
ionizing radiations related with naturally occurring radon may present issues particularly in
uranium mines and where the background uranium concentrations of the host or adjacent rocks
are elevated. The amount of air needed for dilution control will depend on both the strength of
the contaminant source and the effectiveness of other control measures such as water for dust
suppression or methane drainage systems in coal mines. The minimum dilution air flow rate is
determined by the contaminant needing the greatest dilution quantity with due cognizance of the
possible additive effects of mixtures and synergism where one contaminant can enhance the
effect of another.
Primary Underground Vent systems are associated with ensuring the flow of air through
interconnected mine openings. The overall ventilation network has junctions where three or more
slide 3: airways meet branches that are airways between junctions and meshes which are closed paths
traversed through the network. Although most underground vent networks are ramified with
hundreds or even thousands of branches the number of main intake and return or exhaust
airways is generally restricted to less than ten.
So find proper Underground Vent to ensure proper flow of fresh air in underground mines.