Abstract
Friction factor is a crucial parameter in assessing and modelling ventilation systems in underground mining. However, the development of a mine along its life-cycle can complicate the airflow supply required at the working faces, creating setbacks in terms of productivity and production. Hence, it is very important to determine all the ventilation parameters, including roughness and the friction factor. In this paper we examine the data from several surveys that were carried out in two potash mines (both using the room-and-pillar method) with the aim of determining the friction factors through the Von Karman equation, which connects the Atkinson friction factor with airway roughness. Comparison of the two mines provided consistent results, despite some differences in the mining methods, and we were able to establish standard values for this type of mining. Furthermore, a roughness variation over a year in this type of evaporitic mining has been determined, indicating that the specific climate characteristics of the zone affect the walls and roofs of the tunnels and therefore their roughness. Friction factor values have also been validated by means of several ventilation simulations and contrasted with values in the literature.
Highlights
Knowing the ventilation characteristics is crucial for determining the most effective ventilation circuit and for enhancing the efficiency ratios and saving energy, especially with the trend toward deeper ore deposits and gradually decreasing ore grades (Kazakov, Shalimov, and Kiryakov, 2013; Sasmito et al, 2013; du Plessis, Marx, and Nell, 2014; Hurtado et al, 2014; Develo, Pillalamarry, and Garab, 2016)
In this paper we examine the data from several surveys that were carried out in two potash mines with the aim of determining the friction factors through the Von Kármán equation, which connects the Atkinson friction factor with airway roughness
McElroy (1935) published one of the first studies in this field based on pressure loss values collected from several mines. These values have been used for a long time, with only some changes in the case of coal mining by Kharkar, Stefanko, and Ramani (1974), who pointed out the influence of support and lining on the friction factors
Summary
Knowing the ventilation characteristics is crucial for determining the most effective ventilation circuit and for enhancing the efficiency ratios and saving energy, especially with the trend toward deeper ore deposits and gradually decreasing ore grades (Kazakov, Shalimov, and Kiryakov, 2013; Sasmito et al, 2013; du Plessis, Marx, and Nell, 2014; Hurtado et al, 2014; Develo, Pillalamarry, and Garab, 2016). Friction factor is a crucial parameter in assessing and modelling ventilation systems in underground mining. It is very important to determine all the ventilation parameters, including roughness and the friction factor.
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