A booster fan is an underground main fan which is installed in series with a main surface fan and used to boost the air pressure of the ventilation to overcome mine resistance.Currently booster fans are used in severa...A booster fan is an underground main fan which is installed in series with a main surface fan and used to boost the air pressure of the ventilation to overcome mine resistance.Currently booster fans are used in several major coal mining countries including the United Kingdom,Australia,Poland and China.In the United States booster fans are prohibited in coal mines although they are used in several metal and non-metal mines.A study has been undertaken to examine alternatives for ventilating an underground room and pillar coal mine system.A feasibility study of a hypothetical situation has shown that current ventilation facilities are incapable of fulfilling mine air requirements in the future due to increased seam methane levels.A current ventilation network model has been prepared and projected to a mine five years plan."Ventsim visual" software simulations of different possible ventilation options have been conducted in which varying methane levels are found at working faces.The software can also undertake financial simulations and project present value total costs for the options under study.Several scenarios for improving the ventilation situation such as improving main surface fans,adding intake shafts,adding exhaust shafts and utilizing booster fans have been examined.After taking into account the total capital and operating costs for the five years mine plan the booster fan scenarios are recommended as being the best alternatives for further serious consideration by the mine.The optimum option is a properly sized and installed booster fan system that can be used to create safe work conditions,maintain adequate air quantity with lowest cost,generate a reduction in energy consumption and decrease mine system air leakage.展开更多
There is potential to significantly reduce CO_(2) emissions by increasing the efficiency and reducing the duty cycle of HVAC systems by using smart booster fans and dampers.Smart booster fans fit in the vents within a...There is potential to significantly reduce CO_(2) emissions by increasing the efficiency and reducing the duty cycle of HVAC systems by using smart booster fans and dampers.Smart booster fans fit in the vents within a home,operating quietly on low power(2W)to augment HVAC systems and improve their performance.In this study,a prototype duct system is used to measure and evaluate the ability for smart booster fans and dampers to control airflow to different vents for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of HVAC systems.Four case studies were evaluated:an HVAC system(1)without any fans or dampers,(2)with a fan installed in one vent,but without any dampers,(3)with dampers installed at the vents,but without any fans,and(4)with both fan and dampers installed.The results from both the experi-mental and numerical evaluation show that the smart booster fan and dampers can significantly improve the airflow at a vent that is underperforming.For example,the airflow at the last vent in a ducting branch was increased from 17 to 37 CFM when a smart booster fan was installed at this vent.Results from the numerical analysis show that for the case of an underperforming vent during the winter season the HVAC running time may be reduced from 24 hr/day to 5.6 hr/day.Furthermore,results from the numerical analysis show the HVAC running time is further reduced to 4.5 hr/day for cases 3 and 4.展开更多
基金Supported by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of USA(200-2009-30328)
文摘A booster fan is an underground main fan which is installed in series with a main surface fan and used to boost the air pressure of the ventilation to overcome mine resistance.Currently booster fans are used in several major coal mining countries including the United Kingdom,Australia,Poland and China.In the United States booster fans are prohibited in coal mines although they are used in several metal and non-metal mines.A study has been undertaken to examine alternatives for ventilating an underground room and pillar coal mine system.A feasibility study of a hypothetical situation has shown that current ventilation facilities are incapable of fulfilling mine air requirements in the future due to increased seam methane levels.A current ventilation network model has been prepared and projected to a mine five years plan."Ventsim visual" software simulations of different possible ventilation options have been conducted in which varying methane levels are found at working faces.The software can also undertake financial simulations and project present value total costs for the options under study.Several scenarios for improving the ventilation situation such as improving main surface fans,adding intake shafts,adding exhaust shafts and utilizing booster fans have been examined.After taking into account the total capital and operating costs for the five years mine plan the booster fan scenarios are recommended as being the best alternatives for further serious consideration by the mine.The optimum option is a properly sized and installed booster fan system that can be used to create safe work conditions,maintain adequate air quantity with lowest cost,generate a reduction in energy consumption and decrease mine system air leakage.
基金support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
文摘There is potential to significantly reduce CO_(2) emissions by increasing the efficiency and reducing the duty cycle of HVAC systems by using smart booster fans and dampers.Smart booster fans fit in the vents within a home,operating quietly on low power(2W)to augment HVAC systems and improve their performance.In this study,a prototype duct system is used to measure and evaluate the ability for smart booster fans and dampers to control airflow to different vents for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of HVAC systems.Four case studies were evaluated:an HVAC system(1)without any fans or dampers,(2)with a fan installed in one vent,but without any dampers,(3)with dampers installed at the vents,but without any fans,and(4)with both fan and dampers installed.The results from both the experi-mental and numerical evaluation show that the smart booster fan and dampers can significantly improve the airflow at a vent that is underperforming.For example,the airflow at the last vent in a ducting branch was increased from 17 to 37 CFM when a smart booster fan was installed at this vent.Results from the numerical analysis show that for the case of an underperforming vent during the winter season the HVAC running time may be reduced from 24 hr/day to 5.6 hr/day.Furthermore,results from the numerical analysis show the HVAC running time is further reduced to 4.5 hr/day for cases 3 and 4.
