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By Ali Montaser

This paper presents an experimental study conducted to facilitate the use of RFID on construction job sites. The study focuses on deployment settings to provide data acquisition with higher accuracy for indoor location sensing. It provides extension to the state-of-the-art in this field as it addresses the impact of metal media proximity to RFID tags, the reasonable duration for data capturing, number of RFID tags employed and the distance between them. Low cost passive RFID tags were used in the experiments where each tag is used as a reference point with a known location. Five hundred and forty (514) experiments were conducted in lab environment using a 3m by 3m test bed that is dynamically rearranged to generate 15 test beds and a total of 67713 data sets were collected and analyzed. The collected data were captured from nine locations for each test bed at four time intervals. Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) was used as the main attribute for signal measurement to process the captured data. Results of the data analysis performed are studied under four main categories: duration, number of tags, locations of tags and metal interference. The best duration was found to be the 15 second in the test bed with the least number of tags; as the short amount of time to capture data did not allow creation of a lot of interference among the emitted signals. Within each test bed, errors occurred most at points where the received signals were not well distributed in a 360 degree vicinity of the data capturing point. It means that the center point of each test bed resulted in lowest errors and the points located on the extremities led to the highest errors. Finally, metal objects were found to have major impact on the accuracy of the captured data; to the level where reliable values for errors could not be calculated in the test beds attached to metal objects. In summary, the results of the experimental study and related findings are expected to provide guidelines to the users of RFID technology for localization in building construction.

Aug 1, 2013

By Mohammad. M. Khajeh

Rock mechanical properties are important parameters in geomechanical simulation. Considering stochastic heterogeneous models rather than conventional homogeneous layer cake models leads to more realistic simulation results and uncertainty assessment. These heterogeneous models are usually fine scale models generated by geostatistical techniques. Although considering high resolution property models is desirable, geomechanical simulation with a fine scale model is not computationally feasible for full?field, coupled geomechanical-flow simulation. Upscaling of property models is necessary to move from fine scale/high resolution property models to coarser scale/low resolution models appropriate for simulation. Local numerical upscaling was proposed by Khajeh et al. (2012) to describe the macroscopic elastic behavior of complex heterogeneous media and is expanded upon in this work. This numerical technique is not restricted to specific geologies as typical analytical techniques are. Moreover, transversely isotropic deformation is considered rather than the usual assumption of isotropic deformation. To compare the accuracy of the upscaling methodology, in this study shear strain is considered as the geomechanical response of a synthetic facies model and the response of the coarse scale model is compared to other conventional analytical averaging techniques. It is found that the numerical upscaling technique better approximates the geomechanical response of the fine scale model.

Jun 1, 2012

By Étienne Yvenou, Martin Désilets

Le procédé d’électroaffinage du Cu est nécessaire pour atteindre les niveaux de pureté requis pour les applications les plus courantes telles que son utilisation comme conducteur électrique ou thermique.

May 2, 2024

By Y. Kashiwaya, J. Yagi, P. R. Austin

The problems of global environment and resources have become important issues in recent years, and the iron and steelmaking industry is requested to decrease energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission. The improvement of efficiency of ironmaking system is one of the countermeasures for these problems because more than a half of total energy input to the integrated steelwork is input to the ironmaking system. Various approaches to improve the blast furnace process have been made. The authors examined their performances through mathematical simulations of blast furnace operation, and confirmed the improvement of blast furnace efficiency under some operating conditions. The ironmaking system consists of various processes, and the materials and the energy are transported among these processes. Thus it is necessary to evaluate the efficiency of the novel operation of blast furnace based on the ironmaking system. In this study, the balances of material and energy on ironmaking system that consists of blast furnace, coke oven, sintering and hot stove processes were analyzed. The operation status of each process in the system was adjusted according to the results of the operation simulation of the blast furnace under novel operating conditions. The analysis clarified the effect of the blast furnace operation on the energy balance and CO2 emission of the ironmaking system.

Jan 1, 2015

By Gary Walters, Thomas Gonzales, David George, William Davenport, Andreas Siegmund, Suping Yao, Shijie Wang

The previous survey of world copper smelters was in 2016 (Copper, 2016). The copper smelting industry has grown and improved considerably since then, including continuing growth in China and modernization in Japan (Extraction, 2018). Outotec flash smelting and Outotec flash smelting/Kennecott - Outotec flash converting continue to be adopted while newer processes continue to be adopted in China. In addition, some of the world's original flash furnaces have been completely rebuilt (Extraction, 2018). This paper provides recent industrial production data and discusses these new developments. INTRODUCTION A world copper survey was redone in 2016 after a thirteen year lag since 2003. Some of the notable changes were the significant increases in production particularly from China. Since then, several smelters have gone through modernization processes and decommissioning of older technologies. This paper will review the notable changes since the last publication at Cu2016. In the last paper, Copper Smelting: 2016 World Copper Smelter Data, the author gave an audible sigh after observing that copper smelter sites as well as new and notable smelters have been spreading like wildfire in China since 2003. Indeed, seeing is believing. Figure 1 shows the Ningde Copper Smelter (double flashing, 400,000 MT Cu/Year capacity) that started up producing copper in 2018; Figure 2 shows the Nanguo Copper Smelter that is under construction with 300,000 MT Cu/Year capacity (first phase, side blown smelting and continuous top blown converting). We should not only admire the Chinese copper industry’s significant technological developments, but also the copper price support that it has provided throughout this century.

Jan 1, 2019

By D. G. Sinclair

IN surveying the changes that have taken place in the mining industry of Ontario in the past ten years, the striking growth of the gold mining industry first attracts attention. In 1925 there were only twelve regularly producing gold mines in the Province, six of which were located in the Porcupine area, four at Kirkland Lake, and one each at Larder Lake and Boston Creek. In contrast with this, the year that has just closed (1935) has seen production on a steady basis from forty mines, with what may be termed spasmodic production from twelve other properties. This so-called spasmodic production is, however, responsible for the recovery of gold to an estimated value of between $75,000 and $100,000 during the year. Further illustrating the expansion in the gold mining group is the activity in the exploration and development of properties. In 1925, mining operations were conducted at 29 properties which had not reached production, while in 1935 work of this nature was carried on at 87 such properties. It is of interest to note that of the six properties listed as producers in Porcupine ten years ago, five are still producing at rates considerably in excess of the tonnages handled at that time. In fact, the estimated tonnage treated at these mines in 1935 exceeds the 1925 tonnage by approximately half a million tons. In Kirkland Lake, the figures are still more striking. The four mines in production in that camp in 1925 milled 346,584 tons, producing bullion to the value of $5,132,128, while in 1935 these same mines treated approximately 1,643,000 tons, with a recovery of roughly $29,300,000. While Porcupine and Kirkland Lake remain the great gold-producing camps of the Province, the growing importance of the newer areas is readily appreciated when we consider that in 1935 the mills of these areas treated over 1,000,000 tons of ore for a production in excess of $7,500,000. Pro-duction from these newer districts first became of importance in 1930 with the commencement of recovery at the Howey mine, in Red Lake, and the Minto, in Michipicoten. Since 1930, eighteen new gold mills have gone into production in the Red Lake, Little Long Lac-Beardmore, Pickle Crow, Sturgeon Lake, Michipicoten, Sudbury, and Matachewan areas. In respect to silver mining, the period under review has seen a considerable slackening of activity, due to a generally unstable and depreciated price for the product and to the exhaustion of ore reserves in the mines.

Jan 1, 1936

By Y. Jin, H. You, H. Pang, B. Lin

Successful application of steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) on the recovery of land facies ultra-heavy oil in Xinjiang oilfield depends largely on shortening the preheating period with the aid of the micro-fracturing technology, which is conducted through controlled water injection to a pair of horizontal wells to create homogenously distributed microcracks in the zone between the two wells. The numerical simulation of this mechanical process is yet to be investigated. Up to date, there has been research work on rock mechanics during the SAGD production period of marine deposited ultra-heavy oilsands, but the counterpart research on land facies ultra-heavy oilsands of Xinjiang oilfield is left undone. In this regard, this study is attempted to perform numerical simulation of the fracturing process on land facies unconsolidated oilsands. With this objective, the study first investigates geological and physical identification of the field collected cores, then carries out mechanical analysis on laboratory triaixal test results, based on which numerical simulation of the fractured zone is performed. The simulation is applied through a finite element platform adopting extended Drucker-Prager constitutive model, with the parameters determined by experimental work. It is verified that hydraulic fracturing of unconsolidated oilsands generates a microcrack feature in terms of a dilative zone instead of linear apertures. The extent to which the fractured zone propagates is visually demonstrated based on the magnitude distribution of equivalent plastic strain or volumetric dilation. Evaluation of the connection of injection and production wells can possibly be determined by the expansion of the saturated region around each well. Finally, the implications on the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing in stimulation of the pay zone are investigated.

Jan 1, 2015

By M. Phylli Bray

"Mining has the reputation of being a very ""macho"" industry. Recently, wider educational opportunities for women in nontraditional occupations and changes in mine technology have combined to make mining a viable career choice for women also. To benefit from this new resource, the mining industry faces the challenge of developing a different work environment from the one now burdened with sexism. Management supported initiatives are needed to facilitate such a transformation. The same rethinking of gender attitudes might also be extended to mining women in their traditional role as ""wife of"". The assumption that the male worker's wife is an unpaid adjunct is being questioned. It is suggested that women's separate concerns both as helpmate and as part of the mining workforce should be considered when planning for mining into the 21st century.IntroductionI must confess that, during the preparation of this paper, there have been many moments when I questioned my temerity. After all, I am not male, I am not an engineer, and I have never had a position in mine management. But as the wife of a mining engineer and a long-time resident of Northern Ontario mining towns, I do have an interest in the mining industry. This interest has had little to do with the technical and management aspects of the industry. Instead my research has been concerned with the impact the mining industry has on the people involved, particularly women, whether directly as employees or indirectly as wives. As I look toward the 21st century, I believe that the whole question of gender relations in the mining industry is one of the critical management issues smouldering below the surface."

Jan 1, 1995

By S. Hosseinpour

Chromate conversion coatings (CCCs) are usually applied to these alloys to enhance their resistance to localized corrosion and to improve paint adhesion. The special properties of these coatings such as their low electrical contact resistance (ECR) make them suitable for satellites. This study is aimed to develop advanced CCCs with the proper appearance, morphologies and surface roughness and to evaluate their role on the ECR and thermo physical properties on hardened aluminium alloy of Alclad-7075-T6. Coating characterization was performed by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). ECR of coatings were measured by special laboratory designed instrument and a and c were measured by Emissometer and Reflectometer respectively. In addition, corrosion performance of the CCC-coated alloys was determined by 168 hr exposing to salt-spray testing in accordance with ASTM-B117. The results of accomplished experiments on the developed CCCs in this study have been agreeable concerning available acceptability criteria for satellite surfaces.

Jan 1, 2007

By D. Y. Li, C. D. Ma, T. Zhou, T. J. Cheng

In this paper, a number of experimental tests are carried out to study the strength difference on rectangular prismatic marble specimens with different height-to-width (H/W) rations. The specimens have a nominal size of 45×15 mm in the compressive cross-section (W×T) and different heights (H = 22.5 mm, 45 mm, 60 mm and 90 mm). It is to say that the height-to-width ratios are equal to 0.5, 1.0, 1.33 and 2.0, respectively. The quasi-static uniaxial compressive tests are finished by a servo-controlled INSTRON machine (the strain rate at about 10-5/s), and the dynamic compressive tests are finished by a diameter of 50 mm cylindrical SHPB apparatus (the strain rate reaching about 101/s). The rock failure process of marble specimens is captured by a high speed camera in order to distinguish the fracture propagation behaviour. It is found that the compressive strengths increase when the H/W ratio of marble specimen changes from 2.0 to 1.0 due to the end clamping effect both for quasi-static and dynamic loads. However, when the H/W ratio changes from 1.0 to 0.5, the apparent compressive strengths decrease both for the two loading conditions. The strength decrease of short marble specimens may be attributed to the change of failure mode from shear to slabbing, which can be identified by the fracture patterns of the specimens. Based on the uniaxial compressive tests, the slabbing strength of the marble was found to be about 40% of its UCS for the specimens with a nominal height-to-width ratio of 2.0. In addition, it is found that the dynamic increase factors (DIF) are affected by the specimen’s aspect ratios. It implies that the same aspect ratios should be used to compare the dynamic and static compressive strength of rocks. Meanwhile, both the static and dynamic tensile strengths of the marble are obtained by the Brazilian disc tests. The ratio of the dynamic tensile strength to the static tensile strength of the marble is about 2.68.

Jan 1, 2015

By G. R. Peeling

The Mining Association of Canada launched the Towards Sustainable Mining initiative in 2004. TSM's goal is to improve the mining industry's performance by aligning its actions with the priorities and values of Canadians. The initiative currently includes performance indicators for four areas: tailings management, energy use and greenhouse gas management, external outreach and corporate crisis management planning. Over the past year, the association has been designing a performance assessment and verification system for these performance areas, as its members prepare to move external verification of their performance in 2007. The initiative and its evolution, as well as the challenges faced in developing a verification system applicable to an entire sector will be examined.

Jan 1, 2007

By A. A. Ruitenberg, C. J. Morrissy

"The Lake George antimony deposit comprises a system of stibnite-bearing quartz veins that cut Silurian greywacke and slate. The stibnite-bearing ore zone is in part enveloped by a uraniferous zone.The ore-bearing quartz vein system occupies an easterly striking, gently north-dipping fracture system that cuts across north-northeasterly trending gently southwest-plunging, tight Acadian (early Middle Devonian) folds. This vein system continues at depth into a siliceous skarn zone intruded by altered granite porphyry dykes, which constitute probably a late phase of the Hawkshaw granitoid intrusion to the north.Most of the ore occurs in a northeast-plunging, trough shaped vein structure that formed where the vein system (gently north-dipping) intersects the axial surf ace zone (steeply northwest-dipping) of an Acadian synform. The trough shaped structure resulted from deflection of the fracture zone (containing the vein system) by competent beds.Emplacement of the quartz-stibnite veins was preceded by, and is in part penecontemporaneous with, the formation ofa micaceous-argillaceous alteration halo, which in turn intersects a patchy biotite alteration zone.The hypabyssal intrusions associated with the Lake George deposit probably represent a late phase (early Carboniferousr) of the nearby Hawkshaw intrusive granitoid complex. IntroductionThe Lake George Antimony Mine is situated 40 km southwest of Fredericton and 2.5 kin north of Lake George, New Brunswick (Fig. 1). The mine is owned by Consolidated Durham Mines and Resources Ltd.Shaw (1940) described the early history and development of the mine. In subsequent years, available drill cores were relogged by several geologists. Much new information became available when an extensive diamond drilling program (Kidd , 1970) was started by Consolidated Durham Mines and Resources Ltd. in 1970. A study of the geology and economic potential of the deposit was made by Glover (1973). Abbott and Watson (1975) made a study of the ore mineralogy. Available drill cores were relogged and a preliminary study of the fracture system in the mine was made by G.A. Pierce and A.A. Ruitenberg during 1976. Outcrops in the area sur rounding the mine are extremely sparse.Between 1976 and 1979 the present authors made a detailed study of the mine workings, available drill core and regional structure in the vicinity of the mine, with results set forth in this paper. The regional geologic setting of the deposit, the geometry and structural controls of the ore zones, and the mineral zonation and rock alteration are emphasized."

Jan 1, 1980

By M. Tadie, J. Wiese, K. Corin

The use of potential control in the flotation of ores has been applied in a variety of operations and presents an opportunity for improvement of selectivity and recovery of valuable minerals. Although it is possible to vary the redox potential (Eh) using chemical additives such as sodium hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide this is more commonly done by varying the pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration. The present study involves an investigation into the effect of varying dissolved oxygen concentration, ionic strength (IS) and pH on the flotation response with the aim of application to a South African lead-zinc ore. In all cases the Eh is measured as a function of the different DO, IS and pH values. The main objective was to achieve selective flotation of galena from sphalerite. The first part of the work was micro-flotation tests conducted on single minerals with galena used as the basis for effect of the factors studied on redox potential and ultimately recovery. The DO was varied by alternating between the use of air and nitrogen as the gas source to the micro-flotation cell. PH was varied between pH 9.2 and pH 11.8 using sodium hydroxide. In the first part of this study a factorial design approach was used to determine the interactive effects of the variables tested, viz. DO, ionic strength and pH, on the Eh and on the recovery. Redox potential was measured using a combination electrode made up of platinum wire and Ag/AgCl reference combination. Recoveries indicated that pH had the most significant effect on recovery and Eh. The influence of redox potential on recovery was found to be of relevance to the condition of high dissolved oxygen concentration and less so at low dissolved oxygen concentrations. It was also noted that that the combined interaction between ionic strength and dissolved oxygen concentration had a positive effect on recoveries, however this was not so with Eh. The chemistry of the ions in solution was observed to play a dominant role on the recovery due to changes in solubility arising to pH modification. The longer term objective of this work is to determine the optimal Eh conditions for the separation of galena from sphalerite.

Jan 1, 2016

By O. Guyot, A. Broussaud, M. Revalor, G. Legrand, D. Kok, E. Roux

"The paper describes the advanced grinding control system implemented at Newmont Ahafo gold mine, Ghana in 2009 and 2010. It shows how the different components of the Advanced Process Control (APC) system cooperate for increasing plant performance.The SABC circuit processes hard rock from different pits mixed with a variable proportion of oxides. The control strategy is designed to address specific disturbances, including start/stops of pebble crushers, unavailability of oxides, changes in rock size distribution resulting from segregation in the stockpile, and changes in ore type and hardness.The system consists of an expert system per se with extensive use of fuzzy logic, supplemented by an online dynamic model of the process used as a soft sensor, a VisioRock™ rock size measurement system over SAG mill feed before addition of recycled pebbles, and an AudioMill™ system to analyze the SAG mill sound and detect impacts on liners. All these components are embedded in the same OCS© software platform, which, among other benefits, makes it easy to support the entire system remotely. The paper details the physical constraints and the variables that are manipulated. It describes the control strategy and the contribution of each component of the system. It also describes the project implementation and the performance of the system. In addition to a strong involvement and support of management, the very good acceptance of the operators has been facilitated by the remote access system that made it possible to immediately modify the system each time it was needed during the baby sitting phase.The system made it possible to increase gold production significantly through increases in tonnage and recovery thanks to a better control of the grind size through a stabilization of the secondary ball milling circuit and an improvement of the operating conditions of the classifying cyclones."

Jan 1, 2012

By H. Fujiwara, T. Ito, T. Mizuguchi, K. Kawasaki

"In this study, we characterize the high-temperature deformation of typical “Class I” solid solution Al-Mg alloys as a superplastic elongation attributable to the solute drag creep of dislocations. The second-phase particles formed by adding Fe or Si as impurity atoms to the Al-Mg alloys impeded the gliding motion of dislocations, thereby decreasing their hot ductility and resulting in cavity formation. High-temperature tensile tests were performed with initial strain rates in the range of 1×10–3 to 1×10–1 s–1 at air temperatures 673–723 K. The dominant high-temperature deformation mechanism in these alloys was the solute drag creep controlled by the interdiffusion of Mg in Al. In this study, the calculation of critical length, defined by the diffusion-based relaxation of the stress concentration region around second-phase particles, is reported using the Needleman–Rice parameter. An analysis of the impact of cavity formation based on a comparison of the Needleman–Rice parameter and second-phase particle size is also reported.INTRODUCTION Aluminum alloys with high specific strengths are utilized as structural materials for transportation machines to minimize their weight, which consequently maximizes fuel efficiency, environment preservation, and so on (Miller et al., 2000; Heinz et al., 2000; Starke & Staley, 1996; Polmear, 1996; Immarigeon et al., 1995; Burger, Gupta, Jeffrey, & Lloyd, 1995; Ye, 2003). Microstructure refinement by severe plastic deformation (SPD) has been performed on a laboratory scale to achieve a higher strength of crystalline materials (Valiev et al., 2006; Song, Ponge, Raabe, Speer, & Matlock, 2006; Beyerlein & Toth, 2009; Sabirov, Murashkin, & Valiev, 2013; Sauvage, Wilde, Divinski, Horita, & Valiev, 2012). At room temperature, grain refinement strengthens the material, as given by the Hall-Petch relationship (Hall, 1951; Petch, 1953); at higher temperatures, superplasticity can be expected (Sherby & Wadsworth, 1989; Edington, Melton, & Cutler, 1979; Furukawa, Horita, Nemoto, & Langdon, 2001; Langdon, 2006). However, the synthesis of large-size materials by SPD processes is not yet feasible."

Jan 1, 2018

By F. H. Samuel, J. E. Gruzleski, S. Valtierra, H. W. Doty, F. J. Tavitas-Medrano

319-type cast Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys are commercially important due to their popular use in automotive applications. Artificial aging heat treatments are commonly performed in these alloys to achieve precipitation hardening and, therefore, improve their mechanical properties. The present work was carried out to investigate the effect of conventional (at a constant temperature, as specified by the standard T6 heat treatment regime), and non-conventional multi-temperature and interrupted aging cycles on the hardness, tensile and impact properties of two 319-type alloys (with and without Sr+ Mg additions). The results show that certain multi-temperature aging cycles have a more favourable effect in improving some mechanical properties than conventional cycles.

Jan 1, 2006

By M. Potesser

In the past, different furnace types have been developed for use within the copper industry, with two common anode furnace designs typically used in copper smelting plants worldwide: the tiltable reverberatory furnace (KPO) generally used for the secondary copper industry and the cylindrical or drum type anode furnace (TRO) for handling a liquid blister charge generated in primary copper production. The disadvantage of the KPO is its design related to the longer refining period, because of the low bath depth, however it provides good conditions in the melting period due to its large bath surface. On the other hand, small amounts of scrap charged into the TRO increase the melting and dissolution period, but it provides good conditions for the refining period. The newly-developed elliptical furnace concept (TRE) offers the advantages of each of these furnace types. The special design allows melting of the scrap more efficiently than in the KPO and refining the liquid copper more efficiently than the TRO. This paper shows a metallurgical comparison of the three furnace types in regard to the melting period by heat technological considerations (optimized arch design) and of the refining period done by CFD with concentration on current, recirculation and dwell time of the gas in the melt. The paper outlines the possibilities for a reduction of the tap-to-tap time and energy consumption as well as for an increase of the production capacity, which can be achieved by applying the TRE instead of the conventional furnace designs.

Jan 1, 2007

By Robert B. Parsons

"The Province of Manitoba tabled a Budget on March 11, 1992, which contains some important new initiatives designed to improve the fiscal environment for mining in the province. In addition, the Minister of Energy and Mines has released details of the Mineral Exploration Incentive Program which was originally announced in the 1991 Budget.Introduction""We recognize the important contribution o f mining to the economic activity of our province, including direct and service jobs and export earnings. We are determined to secure its future."" - The Honourable Clayton Manness, Minister of Finance, Province of Manitoba, March 11, 1992.With these words of introduction, Manitoba Finance Minister Clayton Manness announced a number of significant measures aimed at improving the fiscal regime for exploration and mining in Manitoba. At the same time, details of the Manitoba Mineral Exploration Incentive Program (MEIP) were released."

Jan 1, 1992

By A. Bendada, P. Servais, X. P. Maldague, C. Ibarra-Castanedo, C. Mohr

Infrared (IR) thermography is a nondestructive, non-contact and non-intrusive technique that allows the fast inspection of large and complex structures with limited accessibility. Pulsed thermography is particularly interesting for the inspection of aerospace materials such as composites given that, after submitting the specimen surface to a thermal front, the most common types of subsurface discontinuities (e.g. porosity, de laminations, dis bonds, fiber breakage and inclusions) can be detected with an IR camera as regions showing abnormal temperature patterns. We present first the case of an aircraft door with water ingress and surface repairs on its honey comb structure. We also highlight the advantages and limitations of thermography for the inspection of aircraft composite parts, such as edge flaps, rotor blades and speed breaks. Finally, we expose some results from a Kevlar® non-planar specimen with Teflon® inclusions at different depths and locations.

Jan 1, 2006

By J. D. Stinnette

Traditionally, airflow requirements for diesel equipment operating in underground environments such as mines and tunnels were determined by multiplying the vehicle power by a ventilation rate that was either mandated by regulations(s) or determined empirically from known quantities. In some cases, utilization factors were further used to adjust (reduce) the total airflow calculations for a diesel equipment fleet. However, in light of the drastic reductions to diesel equipment emissions mandated by the US EPA Tier IV and EURO Stage 4 regulations, there is currently a great deal of uncertainty in the underground mining industry among those responsible for the ventilation of planned new mines or the expansion of current mines. Tier IV engine standards mandate a reduction of DPM and NOx of approximately 95%, but can ventilation rates at mines with Tier IV equipment (or equivalent) really be reduced by a factor of twenty? This paper outlines some of the factors that affect the airflow required for the ventilation of modern diesel-powered equipment and examines how they can be applied in determining a reasonable ventilation rate for Tier IV compliant equipment operating in subterranean environments.

Aug 1, 2013