Simulation Of Air And Contaminant Flow In Underground Mine Ventilation Networks

Simulating a ventilation network of an underground mine can help in solving complex ventilation systems with many features, selecting proper fan specifications, location and settings. Early computer systems running simple network simulations were able to provide solutions to the most common and immediate problems regarding underground mine airflow. The more advanced systems available today can perform more sophisticated modeling and simulation of a mine?s ventilation network and present their results in a more understandable and easy to communicate form. This paper presents a ventilation network case study from an underground mine. All aspects of mine ventilation network modeling and simulation are discussed as well as the results from the simulation process. The algorithms and techniques used are thoroughly explained. Some useful guidelines for the application of ventilation network software are also provided in the text.