Potential Sources of Heat in Underground Mines – A Review

Maurya, Tripti; Karena, Kailash; Vardhan, Harsha; Aruna, M.; Raj, M. Govinda

doi:10.1016/j.proeps.2015.06.046

Cited by 20 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…Mineworkers are typically exposed to heat and physical exertion that can result in Heat-Related Illnesses (HRI) such as heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting), heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Several other sources of heat in underground mines have been identified that increase the incidence of heat-related illnesses among the mining workforce, including geothermal gradient (increasing rock temperature with depth), seasonal climate, auto-compression, mining methods, groundwater, diesel equipment liberated heat, blasting, human metabolism among others [1,4,13]. The implementation of mine ventilation and cooling systems is the primary means of providing a comfortable working environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of the Predicted Heat Strain Model in Hot Underground Mines

Lazaro

Momayez

2019

Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration

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Heat-Related Illnesses (HRI) are relatively common in both hot surface and underground mining operations. When workers are exposed to extreme heat or strenuous work in a hot environment they become prone to heat stress. Heat strain is the result of the body's response to external and internal heat stress. It is therefore vital for the conditions leading to heat strain be detected and treated in a timely manner. Heat-related illnesses are manifested by exhaustion and heat stroke. The Predicted Heat Strain (PHS) [ISO 7933 (2004)] model has been developed to predict the health condition of the worker in terms of core body temperature and water loss. The PHS Model tested in this study is based on eight physical parameters that are measured at different intervals during a work shift. They include air temperature, humidity, radiation, air velocity, metabolic rate, clothing insulation, posture and acclimatization. The model predictions are then compared with a direct physiological measurement, such as core body temperature. We present the results of an extensive study that monitored and predicted body's response to heat stress under different environmental and working conditions. The PHS model provided reliable results in most instances in comparison to other prediction methods currently in use in the field.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of the Predicted Heat Strain Model in Hot Underground Mines

Lazaro

Momayez

2019

Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration

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“…Microclimatic conditions in mine excavations are determined by the physical characteristics of mine air. As the air passes through mine excavations, its parameters and composition change as a result of the heat supply from both natural and technological sources known as artificial sources [3,4]. Heat flow from natural and artificial sources into mine excavations was described in detail, among others, by Hemp and Rawlins [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Evaluation of the Functioning of Cooling Systems in the Polish Coal Mine Industry

2018

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Underground excavations in which an airflow is present are affected by both natural and technological sources of heat. As a result, the air flowing through the mine excavations is characterised by high temperatures, which—combined with high humidity—causes microclimatic conditions to deteriorate. Bad microclimatic conditions affect miners underground, causing a reduction of perception, concentration, attention, and perceptiveness. This negative influence of temperature and humidity on the human body is referred to as the climatic hazard. For this reason, the design of ventilation and air conditioning systems to be implemented in underground mining plants is an issue of increasing significance. This article investigates the performance of cooling systems in the Polish hard-coal mining industry. Based on the conducted research on air-cooling installations in six hard-coal mines, the actual efficiency of air-cooling is presented. The calculated values of cooling power were compared with the design intent. The obtained results have allowed identifying with greater precision the factors that diminish the efficiency of cooling systems in the mining plants under analysis. These factors may be treated on equal terms with key performance indicators (KPIs), which can be used to monitor the performance of cooling system components and to provide managers with high-level indicators on which decisions can be based.

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“…: Sources of Heat in Underground Mines (Maurya et al, 2015;MEA, 2006) ............... Solar PV System (Power From Sunlight, 2016) ......................................................................................................................................... Table 8: Fundamental Financial Parameters (Investopedia, 2018.. Table 9: Nomenclature for Financial Equations (Branker, Pathak, & Pearce, 2011)............... Rate ................................... 97 (MEA, 2006) ......................................................................................... Figure 2: Schematic of a typical surface BAC refrigeration plant (Kamyar et al, 2016) ........ ........................................................…”

Section: List Ofmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Geothermal gradient refers to the increase in temperature with increased mine depth and surface climatic profile refers to the temperature of the intake air (the ambient air temperature). (Maurya et al, 2015;MEA, 2006) Natural…”

Section: Sources Of Heat In Underground Minesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Heat in underground mines is a prominent issue all over the world because of the significant adverse effects that is has on the working conditions. Working in hot and humid environments reduces the productivity of underground mine workers and causes a risk of heat stress (Maurya, Karena, Vardhan, Aruna, & Govinda, 2015). Heat in underground mines can come from a range of sources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Heat in underground mines is a major cause for concern as it has significant adverse effects on both the health and safety of underground mines workers. Therefore, effective heat management strategies are essential. The most common method of cooling for underground mines is ventilation. If the ambient air temperature above the mine is cool enough, sending this air underground may be sufficient to cool the mine. However, in instances where depth and rock temperatures become excessive, refrigeration systems may be required to supplement the ambient air. Currently the refrigeration systems used to cool underground mines are conventional vapour-compression systems. The issue with these systems is that they consume large quantities of energy from fossil fuels, which is both costly and has negative effects on the environment. Price motivation is one of the key drivers towards mining companies' shift towards increasing their consumption of renewables (Energy and Mines, 2018). Solar power is a clean and abundant source of energy, particularly within Australia, and if it can be harvested and utilised properly, provides a sustainable and effective alternative to underground mine cooling. The aim of this project was to conduct an economic analysis on the feasibility of using solar power to cool underground mines. Two different solar photovoltaic (PV) systems were compared: a solar PV system with grid connection and no battery storage and, a solar PV system with grid connection and battery storage. It was found that the solar PV system with grid connection and no battery storage was an economically feasible solution. This solar PV system has the potential to achieve total cost savings of $19.24 million (a 57% reduction in net present value), which represents a 33.59% decrease in the unit cost of electricity ($/kWh). On the other hand, the solar PV system with battery storage, was not an economically feasible solution, primarily due to the high capital costs of the batteries. However, as time increases both the cost of solar PV modules and the cost of batteries will be driven down due to economies of scale.

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Potential Sources of Heat in Underground Mines – A Review

Cited by 20 publications

References 1 publication

Validation of the Predicted Heat Strain Model in Hot Underground Mines

Validation of the Predicted Heat Strain Model in Hot Underground Mines

An Evaluation of the Functioning of Cooling Systems in the Polish Coal Mine Industry

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