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refrigeration plants have the sole work of removing heat from mine intake air and
transferring this heat to the return air. This is done using heat exchangers. In other
words, heat exchangers are devices used to transfer thermal energy from one fluid
system to other (it is demonstrated later in this section). The transfer of heat from
mine intake air to return air takes place as shown in Fig. 1.
Chilled water in
the stope cooler
Return air in
cooling tower
2.0
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Refrigerant in the
evaporator
Cooling water in
condenser
Both the figures represent a system of concentric pipes in which fluids are flowing.
In Fig. 2, the fluids are flowing in opposite directions while in Fig. 3 the fluids are
flowing in the same directions. The former is called counter flow type and the latter
one is called parallel flow type. Let us consider the case wherein the same fluid is
flowing in both the pipes in counter flow type heat exchanger. Under ideal
condition, hot fluid can be cooled to the inlet temperature of the cold fluid (Fig. 2).
On the other hand in case of parallel flow type, for the same fluid flowing in both
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the pipes, a mean temperature is reached for both the fluids at the exit of the heat
exchanger (Fig. 3). However, the actual temperatures of the fluids flowing are
determined by a large number of factors which include, thickness of pipe, velocity
of fluids, mass flow rate of fluids, thermal capacity of fluids, viscosity of fluids, etc.
2. 2 Based on Intermediate Medium
Based on intermediate medium, heat exchangers are classified as:
a. Indirect heat exchangers
b. Direct heat exchangers
In direct heat exchangers a direct contact between the two fluid systems (cold and
hot fluid) exists, however in indirect heat exchangers it is not so. In indirect heat
exchangers, heat transfer between the two fluid system takes place through a
conducting solid placed in contact with the two fluids.
3.0 EXAMPLES OF HEAT EXCHANGERS
3.1 Evaporators and Condensers
o
Tubes are made as thin as possible keeping in mind the requisite strength to
withstand the pressure of flowing fluids
In this type, cold water is sprayed at the top of tower and made to fall while
air is made to flow upward. Thus, the two fluids flow in opposite direction and
are in direct contact during heat transfer /exchange process.
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First day
Second day
Third day
Fourth day
Fifth day
Sixth day
50 % exposure
60
70
80
90
100
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First day
Second day
Third day
Fourth day
50 % exposure
60 % exposure
90 % exposure
100 % exposure
There are several other ways which are adopted for undergoing acclimatization.
It should also be noted that the effects (adjustment to) of exposure to hot and
humid climate while acclimatization is in process, is dependent on individuals
response to the particular environment. Some may get acclimatized easily while
some may never be able to get acclimatized.
4.2 Control of Moisture
We have already seen that the presence of water in mines supports rise in relative
humidity. This rise in relative humidity at high wet-bulb temperature is a serious
problem in underground mines. We can control moisture in mine air by controlling
(reducing) water sprays used for suppression of dust. Well positioned spray system
may be in a position to do the dust suppression with reduced amount of water.
Covering of drainage channels or use of pipes for flow of water in mines helps in
reducing moisture addition to mine air.
4.3 Proper Ventilation System
We all know that ventilation is the most crucial part of underground mines. A
considerable amount of heat is removed by ventilating air itself. We require
refrigeration system only if ventilation is not sufficient in making workable climate
underground. The following steps can help in controlling mine climate:
o
Exhaust fans should be used instead of forcing fan. This is because forcing
fan adds heat to air entering the downcast shaft.
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Besides the above mentioned ways of controlling the mine climate, the other
factors influencing the mine climate are machinery used and method of mining
being practiced.
REFERENCES
Banerjee S.P. (2003); Mine Ventilation; Lovely Prakashan, Dhanbad, India.
Hartman, H. L., Mutmansky, J. M. & Wang, Y. J. (1982); Mine Ventilation and Air
Conditioning; John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Le Roux, W. L. (1972); Mine Ventilation Notes for Beginners; The Mine Ventilation
Society of South Africa.
McPherson, M. J. (1993); Subsurface Ventilation and Environmental Engineering;
Chapman & Hall, London.
Misaqi, F. L., Inderberg, J. G., Blumenstein, P. D. & Naiman, T. (1976); Heat
Stress in Hot US Mines and Criteria for Standards for Mining in Hot Environments;
Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration, Inf. Rept. 1048, pp. 67.
Misra G.B.
Calcutta, India.
Vutukuri, V. S. & Lama, R. D. (1986); Environmental Engineering in Mines;
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
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