St.

Paul University Surigao

St. Paul University System
8400 Surigao City, Philippines

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Hernandez, Ma. Elizabeth E. Mine Ventilation

BSEM-301 Engr. Nathaniel Tiu

St. Paul University Surigao – Mining Engineering Department

ACTIVITY 2
MINE VENTILATION

A. CREATE AN INFORGRAPHIC OR A CREATIVE TABLE.

(60 points)
IN YOUR OUTPUT, DETAILS OF THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE
FOUND:
THE DIFFERENT MINE GASES with the following:
• Sources
• General Effect
• Concentration
• Effect at that Concentration
• Molecular weight
• Specific gravity
• Smell
• Taste
• Color
• TLV
• TLV-CL
• TLV-STEL

B. Answer the following questions:

(Your answer should not be entirely similar with the answers by the author of the book, as much
as possible create your own answer.)
1. Methane (CH4) is released inside an unsealed chamber until the concentration of CH4 in the
air of the chamber is 2%v/v. Indicate the variation of the concentrations of O2 and N2. (10
points)
Answer: If the concentration of Methane (CH4) is 2%v/v the sum of O2+N2 is approximately
98%. O2 comprises approximately 21% of that 98%. Therefore, the total concentration of O2 in
air is 20.58%. N2 concentration of the air is 76.44%.

2. In relation to CH4, CO, H2S, CO2, N2, O2, NO, NO2 and SO2,
indicate:
(a) Which can be detected by a characteristic taste.
Answer: CO2, SO2, NH3, and H2S can be detected by a characteristic taste. The taste of
CO2 is acidic. At a concentration of 0.3-1 ppm, SO2 has a bitter, and acidic taste. While, NH3
has a soapy, and rotten taste and from 0.5 ppm the H2S has a sweet taste.
(b) Which can cause suffocation? (10 points)
Answer: Methane (CH4), Nitrogen (N2), and Hydrogen (H2)

3. (a)Describe two hazards associated with CH4.

Answer: Methane is a combustible gas which when mixed with air makes an explosive
combination. When the methane concentration is between 5 and 15 percent, the mixture is
particularly explosive. This gas depletes oxygen from a toxicological standpoint.

(b) Indicate the types of mining activities in which CH4 is present (10 points)
Answer: CH4 is released in three ways as a result of mining activity.
 Degasification Systems
These systems, also known as drainage systems, use vertical and/or horizontal wells to recover
methane before (pre-mine drainage) or during (post-mine drainage) mining activities to aid the
ventilation system in keeping in-mine methane concentrations low enough to protect miners (i.e.,
well below the explosive limit).
 Ventilation Systems
VAM is released by ventilation systems. VAM stands for extremely dilute methane, which is
emitted through mine ventilation shafts underground.
 Abandoned Mine Methane (AMM)
Abandoned mine methane (AMM) is emitted from diffuse vents, ventilation pipes, boreholes,
and fissures in the ground in closed or abandoned mines.

4. (a)Why is it that the placements for gas detectors should be in the lower part of the gallery for
gases like hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide?
Answer: Since SO2, NO2, CO2, H2S, and several hydrocarbon gases are denser than air, their
detectors must be installed in the gallery’s lower part.
(b) Why sensors should not be located directly in zones with direct fresh air? (10 points)
Answer: Sensors should not be placed in zones with direct fresh air supply because the fresh air
will create a diluting effect.