• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.288-296
• /
• 2013

In this study, a total of 13 mines were finally selected as study subjects and field measurements were conducted. Thereafter, calculations of thermodynamic natural ventilation were attempted using spread sheets and solutions for natural ventilation of mine types with multiple vertical shafts were obtained. Based on the results, natural ventilation of each mine was quantified. In addition, changes in natural ventilation energy (NVE) and natural ventilation pressure (NVP) were estimated assuming mine deepening and the resultant values were applied to mine conditions to observe changes in flow rates. Natural ventilation pressure in domestic mines is generally calculated to be in a range of 5 Pa~300 Pa. Although NVP increases as the depth increases, resistance also increases. Therefore, as the depth increases, flow rates show a tendency of converging on a certain value because of the relationship between NVP and mine resistance. Natural ventilation using shafts with depth differences is effective up to depths of 200~300 m. However, flow rate change rates resulting from NVP are small at depths deeper than approximately 200~300 m. Therefore, if a mine is deepened over 300 m, NVP will become insufficient and thus additional pressure obtained through mechanical ventilation will be necessary.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2017

Most of the local limestone mines are developed as large-opening underground mines, while mine ventilation is heavily dependent on the natural ventilation and auxiliary systems, rather than the mechanical ventilation system using main fans. The current auxiliary ventilation system with fan and ducting requires optimization since enhanced deployment of diesel equipment demands higher airflow rate and the associated cost is expected to be too excessive for the local mine operators. This paper aims at optimizing the fan capacity for the working site ventilation through comparing the fan pressure in the mine airway and the ventilation efficiency of an axial-flow fan and a propeller fan developed in this study.