An open source article by Craig Miles Stewart. Modelling of underground ventilation systems has been employed to help design safer mine atmospheres since the advent of digital computers in the 1950s. Initial research focussed on predicting steady state airflow with later advancements incorporating transient modelling to predict changes to ventilation over time due to events such as fires. Existing transient modelling algorithms and methods are slow and unsuitable for returning rapid (real-time or faster) results, particularly if applied to large complex ventilation systems typical of modern mines. The techniques are therefore limited to non-time dependent activities such as researching past disasters or analysing future potential hazards. Immediate response to ventilation hazards or emergencies currently relies on procedural systems, observations, and potentially flawed assumptions. The lack of reliable predictive information endangers the health and safety of persons exposed to ventilation hazards as well as those responding to the event or emergency.
Last Updated: 26/02/2022 09:57:43am