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CONTROL OF GASES
UNDERGROUND
Introduction

Once a contaminant gas is identified, its source located, and its release
rate determined, the ventilation engineer must plan the ventilation
system to control the gas within its maximum allowable level. The
control techniques available range from simple dilution with the main
ventilation airstream to complex drainage systems designed to remove
the gas prior to mining.
The control technique selected depends on the source of the gas and
nature of its occurrence (continuous or intermittent liberation,
stationary or mobile source). The following are the techniques used to
control gases in mines, listed in the preferred order of their application
to a given situation.
Prevention Removal
Proper procedure in blasting Drainage in advance of mining c. d.
Adjustment and maintenance of Drainage by bleeder entries
internal-combustion (IC) engines

Avoidance of open flames, and so Local-exhaust ventilation

forth

Water infusion in advance of

mining
Absorption Isolation

Chemical reaction in IC engine Sealing off abandoned workings of

conditioner fire areas

Solution by air-water spray in Restricted blasting or off-shift

blasting blasting
Dilution
Local dilution by auxiliary ventilation
Dilution by main ventilation airstream
Local dilution by diffusers and water sprays

Dilution is the only control technique that is universally applicable.

Other control measures are suited to particular conditions, such as
the source and occurrence of gas. A combination of techniques is
often most cost-effective.
DETERMINING DILUTION REQUIREMENTS

Dilution by general ventilation is the most useful method of gas control

practiced in mining. In dilution ventilation, contaminated air is diluted
with uncontaminated air to keep the concentration of the
contaminants below the maximum permissible.
Dilution Limiting Factors
Dilution ventilation has four limiting factors:

(1) the quantity of contaminant generated must not be excessive as

otherwise the volume of air necessary for dilution will be impractical

(2) either the workers must be far enough away from the source of
contaminant or else the contaminant must be in sufficiently low
concentration so that the workers will not experience an exposure
above acceptable concentrations,
(3) the toxicity of the contaminant must be low, and

(4) the evolution or generation of the contaminant must be reasonably

uniform.

Note: where toxicities and/or the generation of contaminants are

very high, methods of control other than dilution ventilation must be
used.
Dilution Ventilation Calculation

The amount of diluting air required for dilution ventilation is a function

of three factors:

(1) the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) for the contaminant,

(2) the rate at which the contaminant is flowing into the mine, and

(3) the concentration of the contaminant in the incoming air.

 𝑸𝒈(𝟏 − 𝑴𝑨𝑪)
𝑸=
(𝑴𝑨𝑪 − 𝑩)
Where

MAC = maximum allowable concentration, fraction

B = concentration of the gas in the incoming air, fraction

Qg= inflow rate of the gas into the mine atmosphere, cfm (m3/s)

Q = inflow rate of the incoming air, cfm (m3/s)

Example
A strata gas flows into a workplace at a rate of 90 cfm (0.04247 m3/s);
its concentration in the intake air is 0.25%. Assuming that the TLV for
the gas is 1%, compute the quantity of intake air required to dilute the
gas.

𝑸𝒈(𝟏 − 𝑴𝑨𝑪)
𝑸=
(𝑴𝑨𝑪 − 𝑩)
𝟗𝟎(𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏)
𝑸=
(𝟎. 𝟎𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟓)

𝑸 = 𝟏𝟏𝟖𝟎𝟎𝒄𝒇𝒎
Example

Nitrogen is liberated at the rate of 8.5 cfm (0.004012 m3/s) as a strata

gas in a workplace. What quantity of intake air must be delivered to the
face to maintain the nitrogen content at a concentration of not more
than 80%?