Effect of natural pressure drop in mine main ventilation

Abstract

Natural ventilation in a mine is ventilation without the use of means of artificial ventilation. The flow of mine air is induced by the difference between the mass column in an intake and that in a return. The difference in mine air density is a result of difference between the temperature of intake air and that of return air. To a certain extent, the influence of differences in mine air humidity and chemical composition can act as well.

Gassy mines in the Czech Republic and Ukraine are ventilated merely artificially, i.e. by means of exhaust ventilation. However, even in the case of this type of ventilation, when the total mine air flow is produced by fans, a natural current of air exists and acts in the ventilation network of the mine.