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Estimation of metabolic heat for refuge alternative testing.

Bernard TE; Yantek DS; Thimons ED

2017 SME Annual Meeting, February 19-22, 2017, Denver, Colorado, preprint 17-059. Englewood, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 2017 Feb; :1-4

20049553

Refuge alternatives (RA) provide shelter to miners trapped underground during a disaster. RA manufacturers must demonstrate that their RAs meet the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requirements for oxygen supply, carbon dioxide removal, and the management of heat that results from the RA occupants and mechanical/chemical systems. In this study, miner size and activity level were used to determine the metabolic heat rate, oxygen requirements, and carbon dioxide generation that is representative of miners in a refuge situation. A convenience sample of 198 male miners was used for the distribution of current US coal miners, and the composite 95th percentile height and weight were determined to be 193 cm (76 in) and 133 kg (293 lb). The resting metabolic rate (RMR) was determined to be representative of activity level in an RA. The highest likely metabolic heat generation ranged from 115 W to 135 W, depending on RA occupancy. The highest required oxygen supply and carbon dioxide removal were estimated to be 23 LO2/h/person (0.81 ft3/h/person) and 20 LCO2/h/person (0.71 ft3/h/person), which means the margin of safety is 50% or more when compared to the MSHA requirements.

Mining; Mining-industry; Refuge chambers; Emergency shelters; Emergency equipment; Underground miners; Equipment reliability; Miners; Anthropometrical systems; Anthropometry; Metabolic rate; Oxygen levels; Heat production; Humans; Men; Carbon dioxide; Activity levels; Coal miners; Height factors; Weight factors; Safety research; Safety engineering; Equipment testing; Heat

T. E. Bernard, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

7782-44-7; 124-38-9

20170201

Conference/Symposia Proceedings

2017

PMRD

Mining

2017 SME Annual Meeting, February 19-22, 2017, Denver, Colorado, preprint 17-059

FL; PA; CO