Mining Publication: Raising the Bar of Ventilation for Large-Opening Stone Mines

Due to the difficulties of ventilating large-opening stone mines, the effective dilution of diesel particulate matter and noxious gases has often been problematic. Because stone mines have large openings that develop low air resistances and propeller fans are designed for low-pressure/high-volume applications, main mine propeller fans may be a feasible option for ventilating underground stone mines. This paper describes the results of a case study in which researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health demonstrated that significant increases in total mine airflow can be achieved and the ventilation improved in a large-opening stone mine by replacing an axial-vane mine fan with two 12-ft-diam propeller fans and adding a line of stoppings. The propeller fans more than doubled the air quantity from 300,000 to 750,000 cfm while operating at 50 hp less than the original axial-vane fan.