Simulation of quantity and quality control in mine ventilation
The provisions of The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 have placed greater emphasis on mine ventilation systems. Besides, larger complex mines with more difficult natural conditions require a greater quantity of air and more efficient distribution. It has long since become evident that better planning and more efficient projections, resulting from greater mechanization and sophistication of mining systems and increased production, are necessary to improve mine ventilation systems. This objective can be achieved by utilizing ventilation science and art and by the application of digital computers in the solution of ventilation problems. The real power of the computer, however, lies in the planning of ventilation systems and in the solution of complex ventilation networks with multiple intakes and fans where manual calculations are impractical. This research report has, therefore, introduced to the mine operators yet another application of computers as a planning tool. Specifically, a mathematical model has been developed to approximate methane flow patterns and quantities through coal seams and into the mine atmosphere. A computer program has been developed to solve the model. The application of the model is demonstrated through a hypothetical example. A mine ventilation simulator program developed at Penn State has been modified to accept input from the above program and solve for quantity distribution in the various branches of the network schematic. The applications of this program are also demonstrated. Finally, a subprogram has been included in the simulator to revise network topology should it be necessitated by the sealing of old sections and opening of new ones.
- Research Organization:
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA). Dept. of Mineral Engineering
- OSTI ID:
- 5447602
- Report Number(s):
- NP-22723
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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