Mine Ventilation Design

In this project-based activity, students learn how to design ventilation systems for mines while simultaneously learning collaboration and problem-solving skills.

This activity begins with a warm-up exercise intended to help students make connections between ventilation concepts and analytical calculations. Throughout the semester, groups solve three open design problems. Each mini-design builds on the skills developed in the previous mini-design. The first mini-design involves a pressure loss scenario, and students develop a design process. The second mini-design involves a ventilation network scenario (using VentSim), and students develop a design process, select and use engineering tools. The third mini-design involves a mine heating and cooling scenario (using VentSim), and students develop a design process, evaluate engineering tools and identify the tools’ limitations.

The activity culminates in a final design project, which builds on the skills that students developed during the mini-designs. Students work in the same groups as for the mini-designs, so they are able to develop their teamwork skills. In completing the final design project, students work on their analytical reasoning, written, peer feedback, and presentation skills.

Students will be able to:

• Analyze a mine ventilation system including estimation of airflow requirement, airflow resistance, pressure losses and fan power
• Evaluate a ventilation network analytically using Kirchhoff’s law and numerically using Hardy-Cross technique in VentSim design software
• Design a ventilation fan based on its optimum performance
• Describe mine gases and dust and their mitigation strategies
• Assess thermal conditions in a mine using a psychrometric chart for heating and cooling design and ClimSim climatic design software
• Design a mine ventilation system