Ventilation in Mines (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Ventilation in Mines

The high importance of a uniform and sufficient supply of fresh air for the life and health of the workers in mines, and indeed for the performance of the various operations therein, would seem to justify special treatment of this branch of the art of mining.

The Authors first idea was to undertake a translation of Theophil Guibal's work on Ventilation; but more than twenty years have elapsed since the death of that authority, during which period great progress has been made in the ventilation of mines; and, especially as opinions and knowledge have undergone considerable modification with regard to the dangerous gases occurring in mines, it proved necessary to amplify Guibal's work and bring it up to date. One point that required introduction was the matter of respiration and rescue apparatus. Another was the cooling of the workings, surrounding rock, and the air of the mine, this question having been brought to the front of late, in consequence of the ever-increasing depth of mining operations, and the accompanying rise in the rock temperature; to which must be added, in the case of coal mines, the increase in temperature due to the absorption of oxygen by coal at the ordinary temperature.

As is well known, continued exposure to high temperature is injurious to health, and, since the working efficiency of the miners is reduced in proportion as the pit temperature is increased, it is necessary to take steps to combat this unfavourable influence. Now the only way to do this effectually is to replace the usual, simple air ways by driving three, four, and more intake and return air ways in setting out the mine, thus considerably increasing the surface of contact between the air current and the gallery walls, reducing the velocity of the current, and prolonging the period of contact.

The individual ventilating and working sections must also be reduced in size, and the excessive length of the air ways avoided.

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