Faculty Name - Prof.

Satya Prakash
Program – B.Tech IV & DIT IV (MIN)
Batch – 2018-22 & 2018-21
Course – Mine Environment
Contents:
1) Introduction
2) Air Crossing
3) Regulator
4) Surface Airlock
5) Ventilation Efficiency Quotient
 Introduction

• In this lecture we will discuss how the air is

circulated inside the mines.
• We will also discuss about the air crossing for
crossing intake and return airway.
• How the air is regulated in a roadway by using
regulator. We will also go through surface air
lock.
 Air Crossing
• Where a return airway crosses an intake
airway, an air crossing is built.If one airway is
deflected over the other, the crossing is called
an ‘overcast’. If it is deflected under the other,
it is called an ‘undercast’.
• According to Reg. 146 every air crossing is to
be made explosion proof. In such an air
crossing, roof of the lower airway (intake) is
heightened and a false roof is made of
reinforced cement concrete 30 cm thick. Side
walls of the lower airway are built not less
than 75 cm thick.
• Area of cross section of either airway is
not less than 9.3 m².
• The back of intake walls is solidly pcked with
debris, free from inflammable material, to
give a slope not steeper than 1 in 3 to the
floor of the return airway.
• Both are roadways are kept well supported.
• Air crossing is maintained from time to time to
keep it leakproof.
• It is inspected atleast once in 14 days by a
competent person ( overman or asstt/under
manager).
 Regulator
• Regulator is a stopping with a window which is
provided with a sliding shutter for regulating
the size of the opening.
• The shutter is usually made of a steel plate
sliding in a set of horizontal or vertical
channels built in a frame fitted in the brick
stopping.
• Regulator is installed in the return airway of
the district being regulated.
 Surface Air Lock
• An airlock is needed at the surface of every
upcast shaft which is used for winding men
and materials.
• If airlock is not provided, air will not be sucked
from the mine but will come through the shaft
mouth.
• In 1966, DGMS advised use of German type of
airlock or steel box type of airlock.
• German type airlock: Top of the shaft is
covered leaving two openings for the cages.
 Each opening is kept closed by an aluminium box,
box which is lifted by the upcoming cage. To
prevent leakage when top of the cage starts
lifting the aluminium box, a rectangular hollow
box is fitted rigidly below each opening.
• Steel box fitted in the headgear: In this also the
shaft top is closed except for two openings for
cages. Each opening is covered by a steel box
closed at the top and fixed in the headgear. It has
a drop door at decking level which is lifted by the
upcoming cage, and it drops down when the cage
goes down.
 Ventilation Efficiency Quotient
• It is the ratio of quantity of air reaching the
last connection in the district to quantity
entering the district.
• It depends on leakage of air through the fan
house, surface air lock, stoppings, doors and
air crossings due to poor construction and
poor maintenance.