[Process control and management of mine ventilation by means of a computer].

Abstract

The application of process control to mine ventilation, as described in this paper, has two aims 1. to improve safety in mines, by a rapid and, if possible, continuous matching of the air distribution with the variable methane and heat emissions in the mine workings, 2. to limit the adverse effects of perturbation in the mine ventilation system. The principles are discussed and the computer flow sheets given. The colliery where the installation is proposed, is presented. Pressure, air flow, methane concentration, temperature and humidity are measured underground. Readings are collected and transmitted through the telephone network to a computer where they are processed in real time. The next step will be to install the airflow regulating devices and to control them remotely by computer. The computer programs will be progressively introduced in the control routine. Nevertheless, the important regulating actions will not, at least during the initial period, be automaticaly executed unless supervised by man.