Influence of traffic force on pollutant dispersion of CO,NO and particle matter (PM2.5) measured in an urban tunnel in Changsha,China

Environmental safety issues and ventilation problems caused by the construction of urban tunnel have increasingly been attracting people’s attention. Previous studies in China have mainly focused on vehicle emissions and ventilation control technologies in road tunnels, resulting in a research gap on urban tunnel ventilation engineering design. Therefore, a detailed monitoring investigation was conducted from May 22 to June 2, 2013 in Changsha Yingpan Road Tunnel, China. The study aim was to measure the traffic characteristics, air velocity and the carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentrations in this tunnel, which has two lanes per bore and multiple ramps. Measurement results show that during the workday morning peak, the maximum traffic flow was 1560 passenger-car-unit/h per lane with vehicle speed around 33.6 km/h in the eastbound tunnel, the average air velocity was 3.07 m/s, and the proportion of the light-duty vehicles (LDV) was 97.3%. Under the traffic force (not open fan), the CO and NO average concentrations at the main tunnel outlet were 20.3 ppm and 1.65 ppm, respectively. The gas pollutant concentrations are effectively controlled within the multiple-ramps tunnel and the design air volume flow is noticeably reduced. The traffic air flow was found to provide 32.5% of the required air volume to dilute NO_x in blocked traffic condition (vehicle speed of 10 km/h). In addition, the PM_2.5 concentration is mainly affected by the value of background outside the tunnel. The result can provide a quantitative assessment method to support pollutant concentration control and contribution of requested air volume by traffic flow in urban complex structure tunnel.     

Influence of ventilation systems and related energy consumption on inhalable and respirable dust concentrations in fattening pigs confinement buildings

In this paper are presented the results of experimental analysis of the influence of ventilation systems and related energy consumption on inhalable and respirable dust concentrations in fattening pigs confinement buildings. The application of different under pressure ventilation systems in reducing and controlling dust concentrations was analyzed. Optimal ventilation systems designs and the ranges of airflow velocities were defined and discussed.Airflow velocities in the finishing room, under floor, roof and both ventilations, ranged from: 0.01 to 0.10, 0.01 to 0.10 and 0.02 to 0.10 m/s, respectively.The average inhalable dust concentrations during the reference regime (no ventilation), as well as second (floor-), third (roof-) and fourth (both ventilations) regime were: 20, 20, 25 and 17 particles/cm³, respectively. The average respirable dust concentrations during the reference regime, as well as second, third and fourth regime were: 18, 19, 23 and 16 particles/cm³, respectively.Significant decrements of inhalable (F = 44.35, P ≪ 0.01) and respirable (F = 43.82, P ≪ 0.01) dust concentration, in the finishing fattening pig house, were achieved only with the fourth regime (both ventilations).     

Numerical analysis of different ventilation schemes during the construction process of inclined tunnel groups at the Changheba Hydropower Station,China

During the excavation process of underground caverns, the rational selection of the ventilation scheme is very important for the safety and health of construction workers. The flood discharge tunnel groups at the Changheba Hydropower Station are selected as a case to study the design of ventilation schemes in inclined tunnel groups; these groups are characterized by a gradient of approximately 10% and a complex intersecting relationship among the tunnels. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method is used to simulate the fluid dynamics in tunnel groups when different ventilation schemes are employed. Four ventilation schemes with the same duct at different positions along the transverse section are formulated, and the scheme approaching the right side with most of the construction adits is adopted in engineering after a comparative analysis, as it offers a well-distributed velocity field and sufficient security distance. The study reveals that flow vortices appear in the tunnels with a long axis length ranging from 5 m to 20 m; the observation that the flow velocity on the transverse sections is away from the heading face indicates that a low-velocity area is always present in the vicinity of an air duct, and the security distance on the upstream side is 60% shorter than on the downstream side with the same air-blower when the tunnels have a 10% gradient. In addition, when the excavation distance rises 200 m, the ventilation condition in the tunnels, especially in the areas around tunnel intersections, is greatly improved by the completion of pilot tunnels and shafts in advance.     

Improved parameterization of dust emission (PM10) fluxes by the gradient method using the Naiman tower data at the Horqin desert in China

Dust emission/deposition flux has been estimated using the gradient method with the two-level (3 and 15 m high) measured PM₁₀ concentrations and the sonic anemometer measured momentum and kinematic heat fluxes at 8 m high from a 20-m monitoring tower located at Naiman (Horqin desert) in the Asian dust source region in China for the winter of November 2007 to March 2008. The time series of measured PM₁₀ concentration at 3 m high is used to identify the dust event and the non-dust event periods. It is found that the dust emission/deposition flux (F_C) shows a significant diurnal variation with the maximum emission flux of 5.8 kg km^? 2 h^? 1 at noon and the minimum of ? 1.6 kg km^? 2 h^? 1 in the afternoon for the non-dust event cases. Whereas for the dust event cases, the dust emission flux is found to occur when the prevailing winds are westerlies to northerlies with the maximum flux of 1275 kg km^? 2 d^? 1, while the maximum dust deposition flux of 148 kg km^? 2 d^? 1 occurs with the prevailing winds of southerlies to easterlies without any diurnal variation. The optimal regression equation between F_C and the friction velocity (u_*) for the dust emission cases is found to be F_C = 9.55 u_*^3.13 with the R² value of 0.73. However, this regression equation can be improved by taking into account the convective velocity (w_*). The resulting optimal regression equation is found to be F_C = 9.3(u_* ? 0.1w_*)^3.19 for the stable stratification (w_* < 0) with the R² value of 0.77 and F_C = 10.5(u_* + 0.34w_*)^4.11 for the unstable stratification (w_* > 0) with the R² value of 0.78, suggesting the importance of the convective velocity on the dust emission flux.     

Numerical simulation of ventilation and dust suppression system for open-type TBM tunneling work area

In order to study the characteristics of the ventilation and dust suppression system for open-type TBM tunneling work area in a Ø8.53 diversion project, the numerical simulation method is adopted, and a three-dimensional steady airflow model, a dust flow model as well as other related flow characteristic equation models are established by considering the dust production mechanism of TBM construction. Besides, corresponding simulation models validated by experiment are established using CFD software, and the impacts of the main vent location, the air baffle length in the main beam and the exhausting air flow quantity on flow field distribution and dust flow behavior in open-type TBM tunneling work area are investigated. The results show: when the main vent is located 70–80 m away from the working face, the ventilation in TBM tunneling work area is optimal; when the air baffle is as long as the main beam, the dust collection efficiency is the highest, reaching 89.4%; under the condition that the exhausting air flow quantity is less than half of the ventilation air flow quantity required by energy consumption and the minimum backflow velocity, the best dust suppression effect can be achieved when the exhausting air flow quantity is 40% of the ventilation air flow quantity.     

Distributed temperature measurements using optical fibre technology in an underground mine environment

This article experimentally examines the applicability of a temperature measuring and monitoring system using distributed temperature sensing by means of an optical fibre in an underground mine environment. The temperature distribution along an optical fibre can be detected by measuring the Raman backscattering of the stokes and anti-stokes lines. The distributed temperature sensing system provided valuable information for the mine safety control and the mine ventilation system. In addition, it proved to be capable of measuring air temperature in the entire mine with an accuracy of 1 °C and within the distance resolution of 1 m. The heating and cooling processes could be detected and the rate of heat generation at any location of the mine could be accurately determined from the temperature measurements. This technology has the potential to be linked to other measuring devices of an underground mine environment in order to develop a safer ventilation control system.     

Upgrading the Arlberg tunnel to current safety standards

Austrian road tunnels within the Trans-European Road Network (TERN) must fulfil the requirements of the Directive 2004/54/EC (European Commission, 2004) not later than April 2019. This regulation has to be applied to all tunnels in the TERN with a length of more than 500 m, whether they are in operation, under construction or at design stage, and aims at ensuring a minimum level of safety for road users. One of the main features of this directive is the requirement for providing an egress possibility to a safe environment every 500 m throughout the whole tunnel.The Arlberg road tunnel has a length of some 15.5 km and is in operation for more than 35 years. It is a single tube tunnel operated with bi-directional traffic, but carries a quite low traffic volume. Hence, the construction of a second tube is not really cost effective. Currently the tunnel is equipped with a transversal ventilation system with remotely controlled smoke extraction dampers providing smoke extraction every 100 m. The maximum distance between egress possibilities to a save environment is some 1500 m. Due to the high costs of a construction of a second tube or a parallel running escape gallery, a novel solution was found. The existing fresh air duct will be used as safe escape way between the existing egress possibilities. This solution has big impacts on the ventilation system and on the requirements for thermal structure protection of the new egress ways, i.e. the fresh air duct. In order to overcome this problem, massive changes in the ventilation design have to be performed, accompanied by the installation of a high-pressure water-mist system for structure protection.     

CFD analysis of a realistic reduced-scale modeling equipped with axial jet fan

Typically, in the experimental scale road tunnel model, the air flow induced by ventilation system is provided by an external fan. In this paper, the authors have numerically simulated full and reduced-scale tunnel in order to evaluate the possibility to realize a reduced scale of a road tunnel model with a realistic ventilation system consisting of impulsive jet fans.In particular, two different types of longitudinal ventilation systems were considered, traditional and alternative. The last one was equipped with jet fans that have the inlet/outlet sections inclined at a fixed pitch angle (α=6°) toward the tunnel floor. The jet fan was simulated as a simple momentum source that provides a pressure rise (pressure drop) across them as a function of the outflow air velocity.The analyzed tunnel consists in a 800 m one directional bore with circular cross section 5.05 m radius; the jet fans were installed at 5.67 m from the floor. Furthermore a burning Heavy Good Vehicle (HGV), placed at 450 m far away the tunnel entrance, was considered. To simulate numerically the burning vehicle, the species transport equation combustion model with Eddy-Dissipation-Concept (EDC) model was adopted.In order to create a reduced-scale model from a full scale, Froude method was applied to preserve geometrical, kinematical and dynamical similitude. Temperature and axial velocity profiles, in different tunnel sections for both considered models (full and scaled) and ventilation systems, were provided. The numerical results showed a good agreement for the both ventilation systems.     

Experimental study of the effectiveness of a water system in blocking fire-induced smoke and heat in reduced-scale tunnel tests

A water system, consisting of several water mist nozzles, has been installed in a reduced-scale tunnel. Its effectiveness in blocking fire-induced smoke and heat is tested, with and without longitudinal ventilation. A total of 14 fire tests have been carried out, with 250 ml methanol in an iron tray (25 cm × 20 cm) as fuel. Temperatures have been measured by 30 thermocouples, located upstream and downstream of the fire location. The aim is to assess the effectiveness of the water system in preventing smoke spread and in reducing the temperature in the tunnel. Interaction of the water with the fire is avoided. The impact of water pressure, ventilation velocity and nozzle arrangement on the effectiveness in smoke blocking and temperature reduction is discussed. The result confirms that the water system effectively reduces the temperatures and prevents smoke spreading in the absence of longitudinal ventilation. However, strong longitudinal ventilation (0.8 m/s ventilation velocity in the reduced-scale tunnel, corresponding to critical velocity in full-scale (1:10) tunnel) reduces the effectiveness in blocking the smoke spreading by the water system, although the temperature reduction downstream the water system remains in place. Higher water pressure makes the cooling effect stronger, because more and smaller water droplets are injected into the tunnel. For a given level of water pressure level, the impact of the nozzle row configuration is small in the tests.     

Possibility of using roof openings for natural ventilation in a shallow urban road tunnel

Naturally ventilated urban vehicular tunnels with multiple roof openings have increased in China. Unnecessary gas (polluted air or fire smoke) are expected to be exhausted out through openings. Whether its safety standards can be satisfied or not still needs to be verified. In this paper, a safe CO concentration was firstly discussed, and a heat risk level of very high to extreme up to 46 °C was given. Secondly, a real 1410 m tunnel was proposed, and a 1/10 scale model tunnel was reproduced. Ambient winds of 0.95 m/s in prototype and 0.3 m/s in model were considered. Under normal traffic test, a track circuit was constructed with model vehicles moving on it to form traffic wind, and once the air velocity was larger than 0.31 m/s, the airflows were found to be not relevant to the Reynolds number. The traffic winds were weakened by openings. For three of all tested traffic, the actual air velocities were larger than the required ones, so its air qualities were satisfied. In firing test, two sets of burning experiments were conducted with which the heat release rates (HRR) were 8.35 kW and 13.7 kW. Large amounts of smoke were exhausted out of openings, and the high-temperature was not significant. Full-scale numerical simulations were carried out to verify the experimental results respectively using Fluent 6.0 for normal traffic and FDS 4.07 for firing. The simulations were compared well with the experiments. Further FDS simulations show that the openings’ mass flow rates are influenced little by ambient temperature; with the increasing length of the buried section, much smoke accumulate inside leading to a high temperature; having 4–5 openings in one shaft group is oversize in the actual engineering design.     

Full-scale experiment and CFD simulation on smoke movement and smoke control in a metro tunnel with one opening portal

Three full-scale model experiments were conducted in a unidirectional tube, which is a part of a metro tunnel with one end connected to an underground metro station and the other end opened to outside in Chongqing, PR China. Three fire HRRs, 1.35 MW, 3 MW and 3.8 MW were produced by pool fires with different oil pan sizes in the experiments. Temperature distributions under the tunnel ceiling along the longitudinal direction were measured. At the same time, CFD simulations were conducted under the same boundary conditions with the experiments by FDS 5.5. In addition, more FDS simulation cases were conducted after the FDS simulation results agreed with the experimental results. The simulation results show that the smoke temperature and the decay rate of the temperature distribution under the tunnel ceiling along the longitudinal direction increase as HRR increases. The smoke exhausts effectively from the tunnel under mechanical ventilation system, whether the emergency vent is activated as a smoke exhaust or an air supply vent. The operation mode of the mechanical ventilation system depends on the evacuation route.     

Safe velocity of on-fire train running in the tunnel

The safety of a running train on fire in a tunnel is a key issue for rescue operations, and the train velocity is mainly related to its safety. In this study, the relationship between the wind velocity and heat release rate (HRR), temperature field around the train, and flame/smoke pervasion rule were investigated under the conditions of variable train velocity, fire location, and fire source location. Beijing Metro was considered as a typical example, in which the safe velocity was estimated to be ∼41.83 km h⁻¹. Assuming the occurrence of fire at the center of the train, the numerical simulations of the flow field using the sliding grid of CFD were performed for a full-scale tunnel under different HRRs. When the fire source reached to the target section, the velocities of all the monitoring points rapidly increased. The velocities increased as the train tail arrived at the target section. The velocities at the measuring points increased with the increase in height, excluding the value of the position with a distance of 0.025 m from the tunnel ceiling. The average temperature and concentration of smoke in the annular space between the train and tunnel ceiling had the minimum values when the running train on fire moved with a speed of 45 km h⁻¹. Thus, the safe velocity of a subway train on fire should be managed between 41.83 km h⁻¹ and 45 km h⁻¹.     

Investigation of the effect of tunnel ventilation on crib fires through small-scale experiments

This paper adopts a series of 1:20 scale tunnel experiments based on a series of large-scale tunnel experiments to study the influence of forced ventilation on fires. The small-scale tunnel has dimensions of 0.365 m (W)×0.26 m (H)×11.9 m (L). Cribs using a wood-based material provide the fuel source and forced ventilation velocities from 0.23 to 1.90 m/s are used. From the study of the measured heat release rate (HRR) and mass loss rate data it is found that the forced air velocity affects the fire spread rate and burning efficiency and further affects peak HRR values at different air velocities. A simple model to describe these influences is proposed. This model is used to reproduce the enhancement of peak HRR for cribs with different porosity factors noted by Ingason [1] and to assess the effects of using different length of cribs on peak HRR. The results from these analyses suggest that different porosity fuels result different involvement of burning surface area and result different changes in peak HRR. However, no significant difference to the enhancement on fire size is found when the burning surface area is similar. It is also found that the trend in the enhancement on fire size by using sufficiently long crib and available ventilation conditions matches the predictions of Carvel and Beard [2] for two-lane tunnel heavy goods vehicle fires.     

Studies on buoyancy driven two-directional smoke flow layering length with combination of point extraction and longitudinal ventilation in tunnel fires

This paper investigates the buoyancy-driven smoke flow layering length (both upstream and downstream) beneath the ceiling with combination of point extraction and longitudinal ventilation in tunnel fires. A theoretical model is developed based on previous back-laying model with only longitudinal ventilation, with modified actual heat release rate, as well as modified upstream and downstream opposing longitudinal air flow velocities by the induced flow velocity due to point extraction. Experiments are carried out in a reduced scale model tunnel with dimensionless of 72 m×1.5 m×1.3 m. A LPG porous gas burner is used as fire source. The smoke flow layering length both upstream and downstream are identified based on temperature profiles measured along the ceiling, for different experiment conditions. CFD simulations with FDS are also performed for the same scenarios. Results show that with combination of point extraction and longitudinal ventilation, the smoke flow layering length is not symmetric where it is longer downstream than that upstream. The upstream smoke layering length decreases, while the downstream layering length increases with increase in longitudinal ventilation velocity; and they both decrease with increase in point extraction velocity. The predictions by the proposed theoretical model agree well with the measurements and simulation results.     

Occupancy density and benefits of demand-controlled ventilation in Norwegian primary schools

One hundred and fifty-seven classrooms for fourth form pupils were inspected at 81 randomly selected schools in Oslo, Norway. Primary school classrooms in Oslo have on average 22 occupants present, while the maximum capacity is 30. Classrooms are typically used 4 h daily for normal school activities. The corresponding ventilating air volume and energy use has been analysed for three ventilation strategies: (a) constant air volume [CAV], (b) CO₂ sensor based demand-controlled ventilation [DCV-CO₂], and (c) infrared occupancy sensor based demand-controlled ventilation [DCV-IR].DCV-CO₂ and DCV-IR reduce the energy use due to ventilation in the average classroom to 38% and 51%, respectively, compared to the corresponding energy use for a CAV system operating with full airflow from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.     

Compressive strength loss and reinforcement degradations of reinforced concrete structure due to long-term exposure

Degradations due to long-term weathering actions on a reinforced concrete structure were investigated. Compressive strength and reinforcement corrosion developments of a prototype RC structure were monitored for 6 years using destructive and non-destructive tests which include periodic coring, compressive strength, rebound hammer, ultrasonic pulse velocity, carbonation, half-cell and tensile strength tests. Eventually, results have shown that more than a quarter of peak compressive strength can be lost within 5 years of continuous exposure. Corrosion of the exposed bars within the range of the testing period was also observed to be quite alarming. Thus, defects caused by prolonged actions of environmental factors may pose serious threats on the integrity of partially completed structures especially abandoned projects.     

An empirical radon emanation model for residential premises

Based on an averaging technique, a methodology has been established to estimate an effective radon emanation factor M for residential premises. The model shows that the new term M and the ventilation rate are the essential parameters in estimating the level of indoor radon. M includes two components: the radon emanation rates of internal surface materials and the ratio of surface areas of applicable materials to premises volume. The value of M can be determined from on-site measurements. Different ventilation modes of a sampled residential unit during daytime and nighttime, with air conditioner on, window-open, and window-closed were included in site measurements. Each ventilation mode was measured twice during daytime and twice at night. During the investigation, air exchange rate, and indoor and outdoor radon levels were monitored simultaneously. The results of measurements were then used to verify the model. The value of M was found to be 31.7 Bq m⁻³ h⁻¹. The model is valid if the air exchange rate is larger than 0.2 h⁻¹.     

CFD modelling of ventilation and dust flow behaviour above an underground bin and the design of an innovative dust mitigation system

To mitigate dust contamination in the mine intake roadway, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study was first conducted to understand the ventilation and respirable dust flow behaviour above the bin. Based on the modelling results, two possible solutions were proposed for dust control, one is modifying the ventilation system to dilute the respirable dust particles, and the other is using water mist dust droppers to suppress and capture the majority of the dust particles. Modelling results indicated that respirable dust particles could be significantly diluted at the operators’ breathing level by increasing the ventilation volume from the horizontal air intake, where 10–13 m³/s of air flow rate was suggested to be a preferable quantity. The mechanism of respirable dust capture using water mist was investigated from classical theory and two phase flow theory, respectively, both of which demonstrated a good dust mitigation effect was achievable. CFD models were employed to investigate the flow behaviour of water mists when sprays were oriented at different directions above the bin. An innovative design of dust control system employing water mist technology with four nozzles was proposed and subsequently built for field implementation. An independent field dust evaluation demonstrated that a reduction up to 68% of respirable dust particles has been achieved in the vicinity of the underground bin, and an average of 40% respirable dust reduction along the belt roadway. The successful application of the new dust mitigation system also demonstrates its potential use in underground longwall faces, roadway development and subsurface tunnel excavations by roadheader.     

The problem of human response to blast induced vibrations in tunnel construction and mitigation of vibration effects using cautious blasting in half-face blasting rounds

Blast induced ground vibrations generated by explosives in tunnel construction may cause structural damages in or close to urban areas. Therefore, the aim in blasting must be to suppress the vibration effects and mitigate the possible hazard on structures. But the psychological character of human response to vibrations involves highly subjective attitudes about what kind of environment is “acceptable” even if no structural damage is occurred. Therefore, we utilize the method of cautious blasting for half-faces that is environmentally friendly, and easy to utilize for tunnel construction. Small charges in this method are detonated sequentially to produce minimum side effects. This method is tested in a tunnel construction in Istanbul with numerous experimental shots. In these experiments, the duration and also quantity of explosives are carefully controlled. Regarding human response, better results are obtained with short durations (about 300 ms) compared to long durations (9000 or 480 ms). The quantity of maximum co-operating explosive charge decreases from 3.088 to 1.744 kg while the vibration levels defined as peak particle velocity (PPV) become more tolerable around 300 ms shot durations.     

Experimental investigation on air heating and natural ventilation of a solar air collector

Solar air collectors are important components for solar energy utilization in green houses. In this paper, experimental studies were carried out regarding to a solar air collector (SAC), for which the length of air channel is 1500 mm, the width is 500 mm, and a variable air channel gap ranges from 100 to 500 mm. In the experiment, the uniform heat flux along the air channel is effected by three electric heating plates, which play a role as solar radiation. It is found that the temperature distribution of air and the induced natural air-flow rate are highly dependent on heat input, inclination angle, channel gap, etc. Experimental results indicate that the optimum inclination angle for the SAC is 45°, under which a maximum natural ventilation rate can be created. Also found is that there exists an appropriate channel length, about 1 m in this study, beyond which the obtained heat and the natural ventilation rate cannot be increased drastically. Higher the volume of air-flow rate through the SAC, lower the temperature difference between inlet and outlet, consequently, it should be balanced between the air temperature rise and a suitable mechanical air-flow rate in order to obtain maximum heat. Additionally, theoretical analysis based on heat balance equations is testified to agree well with experimental results.