Fachartikel_04_2017

Mine ventilation and climatization became increasingly important over the last decade. Main challenges and drivers have been the development of mining activities towards greater depths, more complex deposits with a larger areal extent, the further introduction and implementation of diesel-powered vehicles as well as stricter occupational exposure limits and rising energy costs. To meet these requirements and to keep the ...

As mining activities advanced throughout the centuries, mines increased in depth and complexity, resulting in the development of new technologies and processes. Ventilation was not only affected in terms of increased air quantities to be supplied, but controlling the airflow also gained attention. Until today, these trends are ongoing, meaning mines are still increasing in complexity, depth and machinery used, ...

Worldwide interest in developing technology for the automatic control of mine ventilation systems has existed since the 1980s and has mainly been driven by the need to save costs. Demand-oriented ventilation technology is based on the fundamental idea that those areas of the mine where a lot of work is being done should be provided with a greater flow of ...

The implementation of sensor systems to monitor mine ventilation atmospheres offers numerous safety and operational benefits to mines. Detection of various mine gases, changes to airflows and temperature, and detection of clearance of fumes or contaminants are some of the obvious benefits of using atmospheric sensors in mines. The prediction of atmospheric conditions between sensors, however, is potentially difficult, and ...

Photoionization technology and operation PIDs effectively detect and monitor for numerous hazardous substances, providing maximum benefit and safety to users. While many hazardous gas detection methods are available, photoionization detectors offer the combination of speed of response, ease of use and maintenance, small size, and ability to detect low levels, including most volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Photoionization detectors (PIDs) rely ...

The 2006 Sago, Darby, and Aracoma mine disasters in the USA forced the US government to implement legislation (MINER Act) that, among other measures, requires all US underground coal mines to install and maintain refuge chambers to manage emergencies in fires or explosions. However, there is still a debate on whether this is a good strategy. Australian coal mines adopt ...

Following the 2006 explosion at the Sago mine in West Virginia/USA twelve miners were trapped without communications for 47 h in a self-made barricade. When mine rescuers finally arrived, eleven of the twelve had died of CO poisoning. This prompted the US government to enact the MINER Act and follow-up regulation, requiring all underground coal mines to maintain mobile underground ...

Germany’s domestic lignite output decreased by 3.7 % from 178.1 mt to 171.5 mt between 2015 and 2016. 2016’s extracted lignite had a net calorific value of 52.7 mtce. 155.2 mt, or more than 90 %, of that output was used in utility power plants supplying the general public. This translates into a decrease of 2.6 % compared to the previous year. 14.2 mt ...