DPM simulation in an underground entry: Comparison between particle and species models

The diesel particulate matter(DPM) emission from diesel powered equipment in underground mines can cause health hazards including cancer to the miners. The understanding of the DPM propagation pattern under realistic mining condition is required for selecting proper DPM control strategies and to improve working practices in underground mines. In this paper, three dimensional simulations of DPM emission from the exhaust tail pipe of a load-haul-dump(LHD) vehicle and its subsequent distribution inside an isolated zone in the typical underground mine are carried out using two different solution models available in Ansys Fluent. The incoming fresh air into the isolated zone is treated as a continuous phase and DPM is treated either as a continuous phase(gas) or as a secondary discrete phase(particle). Species transport model is used when DPM is treated as gas and discrete phase model is used when DPM is assumed to behave like a particle. The distributions of DPM concentration inside the isolated zone obtained from each method are presented and compared. From the comparison results, an accurate and economical solution technique for DPM evaluation can be selected.     

Numerical study on DPM dispersion and distribution in an underground development face based on dynamic mesh

In 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer(IARC) classified diesel particulate matter(DPM)as a carcinogen to human. With the increased usage of diesel equipment in underground mines, miners have a high risk of over-exposure to DPM, which has drawn many concerns from the public. This study used computational fluid dynamics(CFD) to analyse the DPM dispersion and concentration distribution characteristics in an underground development face based on an onsite experiment. The DPM emitted from a moving loader under a forcing auxiliary ventilation system was simulated. The motion of the load-haul-dump(LHD) in the tunnel was represented by a dynamic mesh method. The species transport approach was applied to study the DPM behaviours. High DPM concentration zones were then identified based on the simulation results. The results could provide guidelines for work practices and be helpful to an optimum auxiliary ventilation design to reduce underground miner exposure.     

Effect of single dead end entry inclination on DPM plume dispersion

Diesel particulate matter(DPM) is a by-product from operating diesel engines. Since diesel powers are one of the major sources of energy for mobile underground mining equipment, the adverse health effects of DPM are of a great concern. This paper used computational fluid dynamics(CFD) method to study the effect of entry inclination on DPM plume distribution in a dead end entry. An upward mining face and a downward mining face were built with a truck and a loader in loading operation close to the face area. A species transport model with incorporated buoyancy effect was used to examine the DPM dispersion pattern for the above steady-state scenarios. High DPM and temperature regions were identified for the two different faces. The model was used to assess the role of auxiliary ventilation in reducing DPM exposures of underground miners working in those entries. In this study, it is suggested to provide local ventilation at least three times of the diesel exhaust rate to be able to lower the average DPM level for the mining upward face. The requirement for local ventilation is much less for the mining downward face. This can provide guidelines for good working practices and selection of diesel emission reduction technologies underground.     

矿用降温服性能试验研究

为了解决煤矿热害损伤矿工身体,影响煤矿安全生产的问题,研究设计了矿用降温服（含降温帽）。通过实验室基础研究、人工气候仓模拟、正交试验和两淮部分高温矿井井下现场应用等手段,对其性能进行了综合试验。结果表明：受试者试验前后血清中的乳酸脱氢酶、肌酐、尿素、钠离子、钾离子等生化指标发生了明显改变,说明湿热环境下人体肝脏、肾脏、心脏等功能受到了损害;因此,降温服不仅使人体热感觉及热舒适性明显好转,而且对于人体机能所受到的危害在一定程度上也得到了缓解,为煤矿井下高温环境作业的工人提供了高温保健作用。     

Prediction of air flow,methane, and coal dust dispersion in a room and pillar mining face

In underground coal mines, uncontrolled accumulation of methane and fine coal dust often leads to serious incidents such as explosion. Therefore, methane and dust dispersion in underground mines is closely monitored and strictly regulated. Accordingly, significant efforts have been devoted to study methane and dust dispersion in underground mines. In this study, methane emission and dust concentration are numerically investigated using a computational fluid dynamics(CFD) approach. Various possible scenarios of underground mine configurations are evaluated. The results indicate that the presence of continuous miner adversely affects the air flow and leads to increased methane and dust concentrations.Nevertheless, it is found that such negative effect can be minimized or even neutralized by operating the scrubber fan in suction mode. In addition, it was found that the combination of scrubber fan in suction mode and brattice results in the best performance in terms of methane and dust removal from the mining face.     

Design of a water curtain to reduce accumulations of float coal dust in longwall returns

Accumulation of float coal dust(FCD) in underground mines is an explosion hazard that affects all underground coal mine workers. While this hazard is addressed by the application of rock dust, inadequate rock dusting practices can leave miners exposed to an explosion risk. Researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) have focused on developing a water curtain that removes FCD from the airstream, thereby reducing the buildup of FCD in mine airways. In this study,the number and spacing of the active sprays in the water curtain were varied to determine the optimal configuration to obtain peak knockdown efficiency(KE) while minimizing water consumption.     

Sensor deployment strategy for chain-type wireless underground mine sensor network

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are very important for monitoring underground mine safety. Sensor node deployment affects the performances of WSNs. In our study, a chain-type wireless underground mine sensor network (CWUMSN) is first presented. A CWUMSN can monitor the environment and locate miners in underground mines. The lowest density deployment strategies of cluster head nodes are discussed theoretically. We prove that the lifetime of CWUMSN with a non-uniform deployment strategy is longer than with a uniform deployment strategy. Secondly, we present the algorithm of non-uniform lowest density deployment of cluster head nodes. Next, we propose a dynamic choice algorithm of cluster head nodes for CWUMSN which can improve the adaptability of networks. Our experiments of CWUMSN with both non-uniform lowest density and uniform lowest density deployments are simulated. The results show that the lifetime of CWUMSN with non-uniform lowest density deployment is almost 2.5 times as long as that of the uniform lowest density deployment. This work provides a new deployment strategy for wireless underground mine sensor networks and then effectively promotes the application of wireless sensor networks to underground mines.     

CO emission in the air return corner of the working face in shallow burial mining areas

In shallow burial mining areas, abnormal CO emission and the spontaneous combustion of coal are great threats to safety production at a fully-mechanised working face. In order to prevent the CO concentration in the air return corner from exceeding the critical limit, the paper studied the CO emission regularity and characteristics through theoretical analysis, experimental research and field observation. The results show that the main sources of CO emission were the spontaneous combustion of coal in the goaf and the exhaust emissions coming from underground motorised vehicles. The effect factors of CO emission were also investigated, such as seasonal climate changes, the advancing distance and advancing speed of the working face, the number of underground motorised vehicles and some other factors. In addition to these basic analyses, the influence mechanism of each influence factor was also summarised theoretically. Finally, this study researched the distribution and change law of CO concentration in the fully-mechanised working face in two aspects: controlling the change of monitoring points and time respectively. The research results provide a theoretical basis for preventing the CO concentration from exceeding the critical limit in the air return corner and reducing the possibility of spontaneous combustion of coal. Additionally, the results also provide important theoretical and practical guidelines for protecting miners’ health in modern mines featuring high production and high efficiency all over the world.     

矿井人员红外探测计数技术研究

提出了对矿工人员进行红外探测和计数的方法，首先介绍了红外探测和计数系统的工作原理，阐述了采用单个探测器的红外系统实现对人体目标从探测到计数的思路，设计方法和可行性试验结果。试验结果表明，人体单列行走时探测信号与目标个数一一对应；由单个探测器组成的红外系统能同时实现人体目标进，出方向的识别和人员数量的识别；红外系统对矿工进行被动式探测和计数。工作客观，技术可靠，该技术可望在矿井生产和安全管理中得到应用。     

Preventing roof fall fatalities during pillar recovery: A ground control success story

For decades, pillar recovery accounted for a quarter of all roof fall fatalities in underground coal mines.Studies showed that a miner on a pillar recovery section was at least three times more likely to be killed by a roof fall than other coal miners. Since 2007, however, there has been just one fatal roof fall on a pillar line. This paper describes the process that resulted in this historic achievement. It covers both the key research findings and the ways in which those insights, beginning in the early 2000 s, were implemented in mining practice. One key finding was that safe pillar recovery requires both global and local stability.Global stability is addressed primarily through proper pillar design, and became a major focus after the2007 Crandall Canyon mine disaster. But the most significant improvements resulted from detailed studies that showed that local stability, defined as roof control in the immediate work area, could be achieved with three interventions:(1) leaving an engineered final stump, rather than extracting the entire pillar,(2) enhancing roof bolt support, particularly in intersections, and(3) increasing the use of mobile roof supports(MRS). A final component was an emphasis on better management of pillar recovery operations.This included a focus on worker positioning, as well as on the pillar and lift sequences, MRS operations,and hazard identification. As retreat mines have incorporated these elements into their roof control plans,it has become clear that pillar recovery is not ‘‘inherently unsafe." The paper concludes with a discussion of the challenges that remain, including the problems of rib falls and coal bursts.     

Techno-economic review on storage of petroleum products in abandoned underground salt mines: A case study on underground salt mines of Sardareh region,Garmsar, Iran

During the past few decades, along with creation of new needs, large spaces of underground mines (especially abandoned mines) have found new applications, e.g., storage of petroleum products. Utilization of empty spaces of these mines as hydrocarbons storage facilities decreases the costs of construction of underground spaces, which can be very expensive and costly. On the other hand, crude oil and other hydrocarbons nowadays are one of the most important factors affecting political and a major part of the domestic economy is achieved through them. Thus, in this paper, a feasibility study has been performed on the application of underground salt mines near the city of Garmsar on the southern edge of Alborz mountains and on the north of the central desert of Iran. Through studies of documentaries, field observations and considering technical, geometrical and defensive criterion, the most suitable abandoned underground mine for reutilization as a storage facility is selected and presented.     

A comparative study of dust control practices in Chinese and Australian longwall coal mines

Mine dust is one of the main hazards in underground longwall mines worldwide.In order to solve the mine dust problem,a significant number of studies have been carried out regarding longwall mine dust control,both in China and Australia.This paper presents a comparative study of dust control practices in Chinese and Australian longwall mines,with particular references to statutory limits,dust monitoring methods and dust management practices,followed by a brief discussion on the research status of longwall mine dust control in both countries.The study shows that water infusion,face ventilation controls,water sprays,and deep and wet cutting in longwall shearer operations are commonly practiced in almost all underground longwall mines and that both Chinese and Australian longwall mine dust control practices have their own advantages and disadvantages.It is concluded that there is a need for further development and innovative design of more effective dust mitigation products or systems despite the development of various dust control technologies.Based on the examinations and discussions,the authors have made some recommendations for further research and development in dust control in longwall mines.It is hoped that this comparative study will provide beneficial guidance for scholars and engineers who are engaging in longwall mine dust control research and practice.     

龙岩乡镇煤矿冒顶事故分析

通过对福建省龙岩市所辖乡镇煤矿十年伤亡事故的统计发现，冒顶事故在各类事故中占有绝对优势。因此，预防冒顶事故的发生，对该地区煤矿安全生产具有十分重大的意义。为了寻找冒顶事故发生的特点，从工人工龄、作业时间、生产季节等与冒顶事故的联系入手，找出了其中的某些规律，并据此提出了相应的措施。     

陕西中北部地区农田地表土壤含水率对粉尘释放影响的数值模拟

为准确模拟陕西中北部地区农田地表粉尘释放通量,对DPM模型做了适当修正。对比分析了不同含水率下DPM模型模拟值和野外观测值的关系,计算分析了利用各湿土起动摩阻风速模型改进后的DPM模型模拟值。结果表明：使用邵亚平起动摩阻风速模型修正陕西中北部地区农田土壤含水率对DPM模型模拟值的影响较适合,修正后DPM模型模拟值和观测值趋于一致。     

Simulation Study and Probe on UWB Wireless Communication in Underground Coal Mine

1 Introduction Ultra Wide Band (UWB) communication is the technology that transmits signals by using nanosecond pulses. Its characteristics include 1) a high data rate; 2) low power dissipation; 3) a strong anti-multipath fading ability; 4) a simple structured, small bulk, low cost and high sensitive, portable and wireless system and 5) low interference with the existing narrowband communication system. It has been the subject of general interest about short distance wireless communication a…     

Diesel engine exhaust exposures in two underground mines

Exposure to diesel engine exhaust(DE) is a major concern in underground mines. It has been linked to cardiopulmonary diseases and is classified as a human carcinogen. The goal of this study is to assess DE exposures in workers at two underground gold mines, to compare exposure levels within and between the mines, and to compare different methods of measuring DE exposures, namely respirable combustible dust(RCD), elemental carbon(EC) and total carbon(TC). Ambient and personal breathing zone(PBZ) measurements were taken. Side-by-side monitoring of RCD and of the respirable fraction of EC and TC(EC_Rand TC_R) was carried out in the workers' breathing zone during full-shift work.Regarding ambient measurements, in addition to EC_R, TC_Rand RCD, a submicron aerosol fraction(less than 1 mm) of EC and TC was also sampled(EC_1and TC_1). Average ambient results of 240 mg/m~3 in RCD, 150 mg/m~3 in EC_Rand 210 mg/m~3 in TC_Rare obtained. Average PBZ results of 190 mg/m~3 in RCD,84 mg/m~3 in EC3Rand 150 mg/min TC_Rare obtained. Very good correlation is found between EC_Rand EC_1 with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.99(p 0.01) calculated between the two logtransformed concentrations. No differences are reported between EC_Rand EC_1, nor between TC_Rand TC_1, since ratios are equal to 1.04, close to 1, in both cases. Highest exposures are reported for loadhaul-dump(LHD) and jumbo drill operators and conventional miners. Significant exposure differences are reported between mines for truck and LHD operators(p 0.01). The average TC_R/EC_Rratio is 1.6 for PBZ results, and 1.3 for ambient results. The variability observed in the TC_R/EC_Rratio shows that interferences from non-diesel related organic carbon can skew the interpretation of results when relying only on TC data.     

地采金属矿山生产规模确定的泰勒公式研究

在分析泰勒公式及其修订形式的基础上,通过选取我国36个不同时期典型地采金属矿山的生产资料进行论证分析,表明利用这些公式计算地采金属矿山生产规模时是不能令人满意的,并对这些公式进行了重新修正,同时建立了考虑技术进步等综合因素的计量经济理论模型,最后结合实例进行了测算并对公式的使用进行了说明.     

论螺旋式掏槽

作者在一些矿山中进行了单螺旋、双螺旋掏槽的多次试验,并与其它直线式掏槽和倾斜式掏槽进行了对比,发现螺旋式掏槽有许多优点。因此,作者给矿山工作者和技术人员推荐这一掏槽方式。     

Review of coal and gas outburst in Australian underground coal mines

Outburst of coal and gas represents a significant risk to the health and safety of mine personnel working in development and longwall production face areas. There have been over 878 outburst events recorded in twenty-two Australian underground coal mines. Most outburst incidents have been associated with abnormal geological conditions.Details of Australian outburst incidents and mining experience in conditions where gas content was above current threshold levels are presented and discussed. Mining experience suggests that for gas content below 9.0 m³/t, mining in carbon dioxide (CO₂) rich seam gas conditions does not pose a greater risk of outburst than mining in CH₄ rich seam gas conditions. Mining experience also suggests that where no abnormal geological structures are present that mining in areas with gas content greater than the current accepted threshold levels can be undertaken with no discernible increase in outburst risk. The current approach to determining gas content threshold limits in Australian mines has been effective in preventing injury from outburst, however operational experience suggests the current method is overly conservative and in some cases the threshold limits are low to the point that they provide no significant reduction in outburst risk. Other factors that affect outburst risk, such as gas pressure, coal toughness and stress and geological structures are presently not incorporated into outburst threshold limits adopted in Australian mines. These factors and the development of an outburst risk index applicable to Australian underground coal mining conditions are the subject of ongoing research.     

Physiological responses of people in working faces of deep underground mines

The research studied the influences of high temperature, high pressure, high humidity, noise and other harmful factors in mining conditions on the people health and safety, and investigated the impacts of confined environmental on human physiology factors, including temperature, humidity, noise, pressure, toxic and harmful gases in terms of environmental characteristics in underground mines and an artificial intelligence system for simulation of the environment in a confined space of deep mines. Our results show that the systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, mean pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, typing test speed and memory level percentage are negatively correlated with temperature value, and positively correlated with humidity value; the human temperature and weight are positively correlated with temperature value, and negatively correlated with humidity value. This research lays the foundation for the study of interaction between the deep confined space environment and safety behavior.