Hi Top 5 Hazards for Coal Mine Ventilation Engineers and Officers!

Hi Top 5 Hazards for Coal Mine Ventilation Engineers and 

Officers!:

Mines are dangerous places to work in, which has been emphasised once again recently with a spate of mining fatalities and accidents around the world. 

Two of the most important roles on the mine site for keeping it a safer and healthier place are that of the mine ventilation engineer and officer. 

Poor ventilation can lead to overheated, dusty mines, poor worker health, lower equipment performance and, with coal mines, even explosions. 

It is therefore vital that ventilation officers and engineers are very much aware of the top hazards they need to be on top of every day.

Hi T1: Heating and Cooling:

The temperature levels in underground mines can range from severe cold to extreme heat and the mine’s ventilation system must be able to cope with whatever the weather chooses to throw at it. 

As the industry globally is pushed to more remote and challenging environments, this hazard is only going to become a bigger issue. 

Mines in Mongolia for example have to battle temperatures of -40 degrees Celsius. Western Australia can reach temperatures of 50 degrees plus. 

In hot climates there is also the growing issue that mines keep getting deeper as resource becomes scarcer and mining companies are forced to search deeper below ground for new reserves. 

High levels of heat or cold can be detrimental to the mine’s operations in several ways. Obviously worker health and productivity will be negatively affected if they are too hot, or too cold. 

Machinery can become dangerous if overheated, or stop working if too cold. Ground support can become warped if placed under extreme stress due to temperature highs.

Hi T2: Methane Gas and other Fugitive Gases:

The build-up of methane and other gases in coal mines are typically the biggest worry for a VO and VE. 

This is what leads to explosions and fatalities on site, so must be monitored incredibly closely. 

When a mine site reaches a slightly questionable level, it should be shut down and evacuated until the level subsides. 

Build up can be prevented through effective ventilation, monitoring of present levels and regular checking of equipment.

DPM is of a growing concern across the industry following the World Health Organisation’s classification in June 2012 of it as a carcinogenic. 

Legislation surrounding the acceptable level of DPM in underground mines has come in for some countries/regions around the world and others are set to follow suit shortly. NSW already has legislation in place and QLD is due to enforce them this year.

Hi T3: Measuring and Monitoring Equipment:

Any fugitive gases, emissions, DPM and dust have to be measured, monitored and managed by the ventilation team. 

The development of real time monitoring gauges have helped immensely with this, as they can communicate a concerning rise in any contaminant it is programmed to detect and report this back to the control centre, ensuring hazards are flagged early, and dealt with appropriately.

Hi T4: Effective Flow of Air:

Designing and maintaining a ventilation system that can correctly provide a clean air supply to the right parts of the mine at any given time is not an easy task. 

System maintenance usually requires a halting of production in the related part of the mine site, so operations teams can be reluctant to let this happen (ignoring the fact that if they don't get a clear air supply, production will stop for a much longer period of time!). 

System overhauls can be very expensive too, so VEs have to be clever with how they design the system for longevity. 

The right pressure has to exist with the ventilation shafts and passages to make sure the air is distributed correctly. 

Ventilation on demand devices can help with this, and working closely with mine planning and production to understand what parts of the mines will be in operation in any given week can also help with planning and correctly directing the airflow.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC?
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Hi Digital Monthly Choice Magazine Issue Pick!.

Hi Digital Monthly Choice Magazine Issue Pick!. 

Read The Engineer Digital March 2014, First For Technology & Innovation

Visit www.theengineer.co.uk

View Below &/Or Download Your Digital Copy Today Click Link Here!.

Hi Secret; "The *Hi) secret of the cosmonaut’s case."

Hi Secret; "The secret of the cosmonaut’s case."

The (Hi)  secret of the cosmonaut’s case;

Perfect climate in your space suit: The mobile device keeps cosmonauts from working up a sweat on their way to the rocket

- "A mobile ventilation system provides fresh air for

 Russian astronauts’ suits."

Just before they board their rocket, astronauts like to give a quick wave to the cameras & they always have a little case in their other hand. 

What do they keep in it? A packed lunch perhaps? 

If they are Russian cosmonauts it will actually be a fan from ebm-papst. 

The case is in fact a mobile ventilation system. 

This is connected to the spacesuit by way of tubes to supply it with fresh clean air.

Spacesuits are hermetically sealed: There is not even the slightest exchange of air with the surrounding atmosphere. 

Which means that they would soon become unbearable without any ventilation: Perspiration and body heat alone would be enough to create an intolerable situation quickly leading to total overheating. 

For this reason use is made of a mobile suit ventilation system for ground training and on the way to the launch pad. 

In the space capsule and in outer space ventilation is then provided by the on-board system.

Hi Handy and durable:

The Moscow-based companies Eco-Intech Ltd. and Sokla Ltd. design and manufacture mobile spacesuit ventilation system for the Russian Space Agency Roskosmos. 

The portable unit uses an EC centrifugal fan from ebm-papst to blow fresh air into the suit and helmet without any warming or cooling effect. 

To quote Nikolay Dudkin, General Director of Eco-Intech: “It is not an air conditioning device but rather an air supply system, actually quite a simple application. 

What makes the unit special however is the fact that it has to function reliably for hours at a time despite being lightweight, compact and handy.” 

With its powerful lithium polymer battery and a sophisticated microprocessor system, the portable ventilation unit weighing six kilos can keep going for six hours – ample time for an intensive, uninterrupted training session.

Hi Requirements fully satisfied:

Eco-Intech specialises in mobile and stationary devices for analysing the chemical composition of the air, used for example for monitoring pollutants in urban areas or laboratories. 

“We used to buy our blowers from a Russian manufacturer but in the case of the portable ventilation unit, ebm-papst was the only supplier capable of satisfying all our own requirements as well as those of Roskosmos”, says Dudkin.

Hi EBook Weekly Product Highlight Choice "Cooling Towers".

Hi EBook Weekly Product Highlight Choice.

Hi EBook Weekly Product Highlight Choice; Natural Draught;

Hammam Industries & Co. MESAN Group CTI Certified Cooling Tower Range. 

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Or Visit MESAN Group Homepage For Further Product Details On CTI Certified Cooling Towers & More. 

Click Here Or Image Above To View & Visit CTI Certification Homepage & View CTI Product & Certification Information. 

Click Here Or Image Above For Short Link To View & Download CTI Certification Information Document.

Hi Clean, Hi Hygiene! How To Keep Your Air Ducts Clean!

Hi Clean, Hi Hygiene! How To Keep Your Air Ducts Clean!

Hi Domestic HVAC Focus!

Part 1:

View below the main key "4 Reasons You Should Clean Your Building’s Air Ducts", we told you that, in general, the EPA doesn’t recommend cleaning air ducts regularly because the agency isn't sure about the benefits of routine cleaning.

Click on any term of EPA on this post or the logo below to visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency to obtain in depth analysis & further information including downloadable .pdf format documentation explaining further the duties on weather if you should have your ducts cleaned at home?

Click Here Or Image Above To Visit EPA Website. 

Studies have not shown conclusively that duct cleaning prevents health problems or that particle levels within a building increase because of dirty air ducts. 

Air ducts are just one potential source of particles since pollutants can come from outdoors as well as other indoor sources.

However, the EPA does recommend cleaning air ducts if there is visible mold growth, a rodent/insect infestation, if the ducts are clogged with dust/debris, or if it’s obvious that particles are being released into the air through the building’s registers.

There is chance, though, that particles can contaminate your HVAC system due to dirty ducts, or moisture can get in the system, causing mold to grow and potentially releasing mold spores into the air. 

That’s why it’s in a facility manager’s best interest to take whatever preventive measures he can to keep the ducts clean.

Here’s what the EPA suggests to keep dirt from entering the system:

• Change filters regularly, and change them more often if they become clogged.
• Use the highest efficiency air filter as recommended by the HVAC system manufacturer.
• Make sure you don’t have any missing filters, and make sure air cannot bypass the filters through gaps around the filter holder.
• When servicing the HVAC system, clean cooling coils and drain pans.
• When undergoing any type of construction that produces dust, seal off the registers and do not operate the HVAC system until after the dust is cleaned up.
• Vacuum the facility regularly preferably with a HEPA vacuum, and clean dust from surfaces regularly.
• If the facility’s heating system has an in-duct humidifier, operate and maintain the humidifier as specified by the manufacturer.

To prevent ducts from getting wet:

• Repair leaks and water damage immediately and correctly.
• Inspect cooling coils regularly. Cooling coils are designed to remove water from the air and can be major sources of moisture contamination, which can lead to mold growth.
• Check that the condensate pan drains properly as the presence of a substantial amount of standing water or debris indicates a problem. Also check that there are no wet spots on the insulation near the cooling coils.
• Ducts should be properly sealed and insulated in spaces that aren’t air conditioned like attics. This prevents moisture from condensation from entering the system.
• Select an air conditioning system for your facility that is sized correctly, and seal all the ducts at the joints.

If your facility does have a situation that warrants duct cleaning, duct cleaning equipment cleans ducts quickly and easily. 

Duct cleaning equipment can clean 4″-18″ round and spiral ducts and 4″-16″ rectangular/square ducts in a simple one-person operation.

*Some of the features that can be available with duct cleaners include; flexible shafts, rotary brushes, reversible shaft rotation, adjustable speed control and a three-stage true HEPA filtration system.

Part 2: As mentioned above view the 4 

reasons why you should clean your buildings 

air duct's;

If your HVAC system is not properly installed or maintained, dust, pollen and other debris particles can contaminate it. If moisture gets into the system, mold can grow and mold spores may be released from the system into the air.

The end result is that your building’s occupants may experience allergic reactions or other symptoms related to poor indoor air quality (IAQ).

You've probably seen the advertisements for duct cleaning, which means cleaning all the components of your HVAC system, including the ducts, the drips pans, and the coils.

If you listen to the claims of the duct cleaning companies, it would seem facility managers should place duct cleaning at the top of their maintenance lists.

But, in general, the EPA doesn’t recommend cleaning air ducts that regularly because the agency isn't sure about the benefits of routine cleaning.

Studies haven’t proven that duct cleaning prevents health problems or that particle levels in buildings increase due to dirty air ducts. Air ducts are only one of the possible sources of particles, as pollutants can come from the outdoors or from indoor sources such as cleaning and cooking.

However, even the EPA, says air ducts should be cleaned in these cases:

• If there is visible mold growth on the ducts or on other components of the HVAC system
• If the ducts are infested with rodents, insects or other vermin
• If the ducts are clogged with dust and debris
• If particles are obviously being released into the building from the registers

In the event, that your facility does require duct cleaning, duct cleaning equipment cleans ducts quickly and easily. 

We repeatedly inform as previously mentioned above the duct cleaning equipment can clean 4″-18″ round and spiral ducts and 4″-16″ rectangular/square ducts with a simple one-person operation.

Again some of the features available with our duct cleaners include flexible shafts, rotary brushes, reversible shaft rotation, adjustable speed control and 3-stage true HEPA filtration system.

If you decide to hire a company for duct cleaning, it’s important to make sure the technicians clean all the system components. 

Not cleaning every component can cause the system to become re contaminated by any remaining particles, according to consulting firm Building Air Quality (BAC).

Click Image Above Or Link Here For Further Information On BAC & To Visit Website. 

It’s important to be sure the duct cleaning company follows the cleaning standards set by industry associations such as the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA).

Click Image Logo Above Or Click Link Here For Further Information From NADCA & To Visit The Website. 

Hi Industry Porbe Shift! Differentiating The Experiencing Focal View!.

Hi Industry Probe Shift! Differentiating The Experiencing Focal View!.

Case study: Kuka Robotics robot guides flow measurement probe in wind tunnel:

‘Robot guides probe in wind tunnel’

During the concept phase for its future A400M transport aircraft, Airbus was looking for an efficient solution to measure flow conditions on the wings of a model. 

It made measurements of air currents on half models and model components in the gas dynamic research facility of its aerodynamic testing center in Bremen. The flow data is measured at various points with the aid of a six-axis Kuka KR 30/15L robot from Kuka Robotics. 

The company found that the robot works with high flexibility and reproducible repeatability. This means that it can locate defined positions in a measurement grid.

Download the complete detailed white paper publication available here by the direct file link by clicking here, or view whitepaper below;

You are encouraged to leave your comments & suggestions for feedback towards - Hi SHelf Blog Content & Other Affiliated Blogs Found In The Hi Blog Table Of Contents. 

Hi White paper: The Practicalities & Economics of Dust Suppression!.

Hi The Practicalities & Economics of Dust Suppression

"WhitePaper".

Summary Description Of White Paper; 

Dust is a widely recognised industrial hazard. Capable of forming an explosive cloud, it also presents an inhalation danger for operational personnel and can create visibility problems. Controlling dust is crucial for health, safety and environmental reasons and may also be driven by economics. Dust spreading through an operating area is lost product and has an associated value. In this paper, Peter Guttridge, chairman of Guttridge, and Ian Walton, chief executive officer at DSH Systems, examine the issue of dust release during bulk material loading, why it happens and the problems it creates. The limitations of conventional equipment are considered within this context alongside the potential benefits of adopting alternative, more modern dust suppression technology. Example data illustrate the cost savings associated with dust suppression and the factors that should be taken into account when evaluating an associated investment.

Selection Of Images Related To Dust & Dust Suppression;

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Dust, Fume, Mist Collection Visit Hammam Industries & Co. Egypt For Donaldson Torti Supplier Covering Parts Of Middle East & Africa Region. 

Hi White paper: The Practicalities & Economics of Dust Suppression