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By Christoph Mueller

Broad band mine communication traditionally is characterized mainly by individual solutions, which have in common their long development phases and their high cost for development, operation and service. The use of Ethernet and the TCP/IP family of standardized protocols provide an uniquely price efficient combination of high bandwidth open networking, universal use and accessibility of price efficient development tools, especially because it forms the technical infrastructure for the worldwide Internet. TCP/IP and Ethernet assures reliable networking however it is not able to guarantee the latency timing of forwarding network information. Therefore, the network design requires strict load limitation and application level traffic control especially if moving equipment has to be manually remotely controlled via the network. The paper discusses the technologies the application of Ethernet and WLAN in underground mining environments.

May 1, 2006

By Nick D. Rose

Outline ?Background ?History of inverse-velocity for failure prediction ?Methodolog ?Case Histories ?Three case examples of predicted slopefailure to actual date of occurrence ?One case example of mitigated slope failure using inverse-velocity to forecast failure time and schedule remedial measures ?Conclusions

May 1, 2006

By Hamid Butt

Information Technology ??Advanced Information Technology is dramatically changing information flow within organizations. This enables employees to have information at their fingertips to make informed and prompt decisions. ??Real-time information allows timely analysis, which dramatically reduces cycle times, making organizations faster and more flexible. Business Challenges ??Continual growth of mining and Mine mobile fleet.??Increasing maintenance costs. ??Difficult to identify and troubleshoot equipment problems while equipment is operating. ??New equipment is increasing in complexity and cost. Therefore, each failure results in a greater impact to production and cost. ??Troubleshooting practice is reactive. ??Protect and optimize the use of mining assets to realize maximum business value. ??Maintenance and Operating information is not easily accessible ?no near real-time system that provides complete information.

May 1, 2006

By Simon D. Handelsman

?Artisanalmining ?Application of human energy (e.g. pick & shovel) directly to produce minerals ?majority no technical skills and lack adequate working tools ?Small-scale mining ?Application of modern technology for limited scale mineral production Significance of ArtisanalMining ?15 million people in artisanaland small scale gold mining ?55 developing countries ?Use of mercury damages health of 100 million people

May 1, 2006

By Brigitte J. Dejou

The Red Dog sediment-hosted zinc-lead deposit is located in the Brooks Range thrust belt in northwest Alaska, approximately 1000 km northwest of Anchorage. The mine constitutes the primary deposit in a 400 square kilometre district, which hosts several other mineral occurrences. All the known mineralisation is hosted by the Mississippian Ikalukrok Member, deep basinal shale of the Kuna Formation, part of a Devonian to Cretaceous sedimentary sequence. The rocks underwent intense deformation during the Brookian Orogeny in Middle Cretaceous time. Several thrust faults juxtapose the stratigraphy. The Red Dog mine is composed of four deposits which together contain 105 Mt in resources and reserves for a total resource exceeding 18 Mt of Zn metal. The mine is an open pit with 25 foot high benches. The biggest challenge is not the Arctic conditions, but metal extraction, due to the fine grained nature of the mineralisation and the variability of the ore. The mine produces Zn and Pb-Ag concentrates that are shipped to smelters around the world from the Red Dog port facilities during the short summer period. Ore mineralogy is generally simple and consists of sphalerite, pyrite, galena and marcasite. The deposits are generally overlain by decametre thick exhalative barite horizons and exhibit strong silicification, which locally obliterates the original textures. Although described as a world class Sedex-type deposit, a large portion of the mineralisation exhibits sub-surface replacement textures. Moreover, unlike most other Sedex deposits, the reconstruction of the basin is made difficult by the structural complexity of the district. To assist exploration in the district, several assumptions are made regarding the deposit settings relative to metal source, growth faults or crustal extension.

May 1, 2006

By Lawrence Winter

why are these deposits significant? (i) economically and (ii) in a VMS/geological context. ?Significance of the tectonic setting. ?New understanding of the regional geology: volcanic stratigraphy, first geochronologic data. ?Deposit geology: paleomorphologyof the seafloor setting. ?Lessons and conclusions ?Regional Potential

May 1, 2006

By James M. Baugher, Donald W. Conrad, William J. Wiehagen

This report describes a process for quickly developing information that is useful for skills training. The process is called job training analysis (JTA). Its main use is to structure skills training at the jobsite. JTA supports structured skills training by identifying the job duties, tasks, and steps and the reasons why those job components are important. The outcome of the JTA process is a worksheet—a training outline based on the knowledge and expertise of experienced workers. Time invested in developing a JTA will result in significantly more time saved when it is used appropriately by skilled trainers. Like a roadmap, JTA saves time and energy. Experimental work at several mine sites helped document, refine, and validate the JTA process. JTAs for two mining jobs—roof bolting and lift truck operation—at two different mine sites are used to illustrate some of the concepts and the specific JTA process described in this report. The work at these two sites was influenced by cooperative work between the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at several other mine sites and prior collaborative work with the U.S. Navy. The mining JTA process is grounded within the military research on the design of instructional systems. MSHA and NIOSH worked to simplify and apply the military training development model for mining industry use through collaborative work at several mine sites. The JTA process involves three activities: (1) planning, (2) a 1- to 3-day workshop where the JTA is developed using facilitated work with subject-matter experts, and (3) followup. Guidelines and considerations for each of these activities are included. Results indicate that the JTA process has been well received and valued by mining industry participants. It blends aspects of health and safety, production, maintenance, and crew coordination.

Jan 8, 2006

By Akul Joshi, Ming C. Leu, Robert Guttenberg, Susan L. Murray

The aerospace and automotive industries are facing a significant risk for cumulative trauma disorders from high-repetition, long-duration tasks. Additional risk factors such as shocks, vibrations and sustained uncomfortable postures oftentimes contribute to musculoskeletal, neurological injuries associated with the hand-arm system. The power tools used for the operation reduce the comfort and working efficiency of the operators, thus lowering their health and safety and the quality of operation. This paper investigates the fastening operation on the assembly line of a major aerospace company for quantifying hand-arm vibrations with the objective of developing a dynamic model of the hand-arm system. The model will be used to ascertain the effect of the various risk factors on the quality of the operation. Experiment Setup A system of three tri-axial accelerometers is used to collect vibrations entering the hand-arm system and their positioning follows the ISO-5349 standard. Reaction force during the operation is measured using a force sensor. The posture of the hand-arm system is measured using two goniometers and one torsiometer. The pilot study conducted has two subjects and one pistol-grip power tool. The experiment setup and positions of various sensors is depicted in Figure 1. [ ] Analysis Method The analysis consists of transmissibility of vibrations and frequency weighted acceleration based on the recommendations of the ISO-5349 standard [1,2]. The transmissibility [3] was deduced in frequency domain after measuring data in time domain from the

Jan 6, 2006

By Fred N. Kissell

In This Chapter [Measuring the gas emission from the coal Methane at the top of the silo Methane at the load-out area and Actions taken after a silo explosion] Methane accumulations in coal silos have resulted in the occasional silo explosion. These can be quite violent and dangerous because coal dust adds to the strength of the blast. However, with the appropriate precautionary measures, methane accumulations in silos can be greatly reduced. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regulations at 30 CFR2 77.201 require that the methane content in the air of any coal silo be maintained below 1.0 vol %.3 Also, MSHA requires that methane tests be conducted before any electrical equipment is energized, unless a continuous monitor capable of deenergizing the electrical equipment is used.4 Measuring the gas emission from the coal. The first necessary step in dealing with silo methane issues is to measure the gas emission from the coal going into the silo. Such measure-ments allow one to estimate the silo ventilation needs and permit a comparison with the methane controls used at other mines that have similar gas levels. The gassiness of the coal can be measured by taking conveyor belt grab samples.5 Matta et al. [1978] measured the gas emission from conveyor belt grab samples using a simple desorption test. To conduct the test, they collected several grab samples of coal, weighing a few pounds each, from the conveyor belt entering the silo.6 They then sealed the coal into an airtight sample container that was equipped with a valve and short hose along with a pressure gauge. Every few hours they opened the valve and bled the emitted gas into a water-filled graduated cylinder that had been inverted and placed in a pan of water (Figure 11–1). The results are shown in Figure 11–2.

Jan 6, 2006

By Ren G. Dong, Richard McCormick, Dan E. Welcome

Vibration exposure at workplaces is generally multi-axial. The health effects of vibration exposure also likely depend on the vibration direction. Therefore, there is a wide interest in the simulation of multi-axial vibration in laboratory experiments. Advances in technology have led to the development of a new 3-D test system for studying hand-transmitted vibration exposure and health effects. The purposes of this paper are to introduce the system and to present the results of its preliminary evaluations. Test System As shown in Figure 1, the system is basically composed of three vibration generators, a multi-axis vibration control system, instrumented handle, handle fixture, and shaker-fixture linkages (stingers). [ ] Figure 2 shows the array of three vibration generators (MB Dynamics, Energizer BLACK-500 lbs) and their associated support bases and foundation developed by MB Dynamics (Cleveland, USA), which create the 3-axis simultaneous motion. These electrodynamic exciters are powered by power amplifiers which provide current proportional to the analog drive signal from a controller. The controller (JAGUAR Multi-Input/Multi-Output closed-loop vibration controller) was provided by Spectral Dynamics, San Jose, California, USA). NIOSH-designed instrumented handle was equipped on the system.

Jan 6, 2006

By Lars Skogsberg

Work with hand-held power tools can be found in most industries all over the world. This type of work exposes the operators to different kind of loads like gripping-forces, feed-forces, exposure to vibration and noise, holding hot or cold surfaces and the exposure to dust. Designing a power tool with good ergonomics is a matter of finding the best compromise. As a simple example, increasing the mass is not acceptable because it will increase the forces needed to handle the tool. At the same time increased mass will in most cases reduce the vibrations. Vibration disorders related to the use of hand-held power tools has been known and reported since long. It is therefore essential that low vibrating tools are developed and used. The new vibration regulations in Europe, based on the Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive, have put increased focus on the vibration control in industry. Forces acting on the tool cause vibration Tools for industrial use must be of very robust design to withstand the very hard use they are exposed to. Industrial tools are therefore normally designed with the main parts made of metal. From a vibration point of view this means that most tools can be regarded as rigid bodies, especially because the dominating frequency normally is equal to the rotational frequency of the tool spindle or the blow frequency for a percussive tool. These frequencies are with few exceptions below 200 Hz. Handles however can not always be regarded as rigidly connected to the tool. There are several examples of weak suspensions designed to reduce vibration transmitted to the hands of the operator. There are also examples of designs where the handles just happened to be non-rigidly connected and in some cases even in resonance within the frequency region of interest. Oscillating forces act on the tool and the result is vibration. Design principals In all cases forces are the source of vibration. This leads to the three basic principles to control vibration: • Control the magnitude of the vibrating forces. Examples are the balancing unit on a grinder or the differential piston in a chipping hammer. • Make the tool less sensitive to the vibrating forces. Examples can be when the mass of the guard on a grinder is rigidly connected to the tool to increase the inertia of the tool. • Isolate the vibrations in the tool from the grip surfaces. Examples are vibration-dampening handles on grinders or pavement breakers, the air-spring behind the blow-mechanism in a riveting hammer or the mass spring system in a chipping hammer.

Jan 6, 2006

By H. John Head, Fred N. Kissell

In This Chapter [Gas reports from around the world Regulations for gassy mines in the United States Differences between metal/nonmetal mines and coal mines Monitoring for methane and taking action Diluting methane with additional ventilation Eliminating ignition sources What experienced mine operators say about methane control and Looking for methane when starting a new mine or expanding an existing mine] This chapter gives guidelines for preventing methane gas explosions during metal and nonmetal mine development and subsequent production operations.3 Emphasis is placed on recognizing the differences between coal mines, where the potential for methane hazards is relatively well understood, and metal/nonmetal mines, where methane may accumulate unexpectedly. Also, interviews with experienced mine operators add much to a complete understanding of what must be done to address methane problems in metal/nonmetal mines. METHANE GAS IN METAL/NONMETAL MINES Gas reports from around the world. The presence of methane gas in metal/nonmetal mines around the world is more common than one might imagine [Edwards and Durucan 1991]. For example: • The former Soviet republics have occurrences of methane and hydrogen in apatite, gold, and diamond ores, where solid or liquid bitumen occurs in the rock. • Scandinavian iron ore deposits include methane and other hydrocarbons in boreholes that intersect pitch and asphalt within the deposits, and methane and nitrogen in boreholes and fissures in arsenic and sulfide ores.

Jan 6, 2006

By Ren G. Dong, Kristine M. Krajnak, Dan Welcome

Continual occupational exposure to vibrating hand tools can damage the neural, vascular and other soft tissues of the fingers. Rat tail models have been developed to investigate the biological responses of the tissues to vibration.1-2 However, the biodynamic response of the tail relative to that of the human fingers has not been characterized. The objective of this pilot study was to compare the transmissibilities of rat tails measured via a scanning laser vibrometer to those of human fingers gripping a handle. Methods In Part I of this experiment, four male Sprague Dawley rats (6 weeks old) were exposed to discrete 5g-rms sinusoids of 32, 63, 125, 160, 250, and 500 Hz. The rats were restrained in Broome-style restrainers with their tails constrained without compression to an exposure platform via elastic straps as shown in Figure 1. The platform was attached to a vertically vibrating shaker. The vibration was measured for the array of points shown in Figure 1 using a scanning laser vibrometer (Polytec) and the transmissibility calculated for each point on the tail relative to the reference points on the platform. In Part II, three male human subjects were exposed at the frequencies specified in Part I - with the addition of 1000 Hz - at a magnitude at the ANSI <0.5-hr limit up to 63 Hz, after which the acceleration was held constant at 5g-rms. The subjects gripped an instrumented handle at 20 N as shown in Figure 2. The transmissibility was calculated relative to the reference points on the handle. [ ]

Jan 6, 2006

By Alan Mayton, N. Kumar Kittusamy, Christopher Jobes, Farid Amirouche

Industrial equipment exposes individuals to whole-body vibration (WBV) and mechanical shock. This exposure can negatively impact their health, safety, comfort, and working efficiency and performance. Accordingly, proper seat design is an important consideration in reducing the adverse effects of WBV exposure to vehicle operators. Since the human body is sensitive to low frequency WBV, ride quality is a basic and important element of good seat design. When designing a suitable seat, it is essential to understand vibration exposure environment of workers and how well they can tolerate this environment [1]. This is particularly true in the mining industry. Mayton et al. [2] reported on a low-coal shuttle car seat design that underwent limited, yet successful underground mine trials. Building on this work, a follow-up study compared NIOSH and existing seat designs on low- and mid-coal seam shuttle cars. The NIOSH seat designs included viscoelastic foam, which has properties similar to those found in a mechanical spring/damper suspension system. The seats also included an adjustable lumbar support and a fore-aft seat adjustment. The NIOSH seat designs contrast with the existing seat design, which have little or no lumbar support and include inexpensive foam padding of the type commonly used in furniture. This paper will focus on the seat designs for the mid-coal seam shuttle car and compare subjective comfort data collected from five vehicle operators with ISO 2631 – based reduced comfort boundary (RCB) analysis of recorded vibration levels. Methods Experimental data were collected using three different tools: triaxial accelerometers, pre-amplifiers, and filters connected to a data recorder; a visual analog scale (VAS); and a short questionnaire. Researchers recorded quantitative or objective vehicle vibration data to determine the input and output acceleration at the operator cab floor and operator seat interface. Qualitative or subjective data, collected with the VAS, allowed researchers to obtain the operators’ immediate impressions of shock, vibration, and discomfort levels for the vehicle ride on each of the seat designs. Each shuttle car operator made six round trips with the vehicle each seat. The shuttle car operator marked the VAS on the first, third, and sixth round trip of the trials for each seat. A round trip consisted of traveling to the coal face with no load and returning to the load discharge location with a full load of coal. Results Total overall average ratings for the five vehicle operators of the mid-coal seam shuttle car, showed that operators sensed from 45 to 87% less discomfort with NIOSH seat designs compared to the existing seat design. Using a 95% CI, researchers computed a strong positive correlation for discomfort. Figure 1 illustrates the RCB analysis method for one of two NIOSH seat designs.

Jan 6, 2006

By Ren G. Dong, Jay Kim, Daniel E. Welcome, Won Joon Song, Charles Hayden

Prolonged, extensive exposure to hand-transmitted vibration could cause a series of vibration-induced disorders in the vascular, sensorineural, and musculoskeletal structures of the human hand-arm system, which have been collectively called hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).1 To assess the risk of HAVS the international standard ISO 5349-1 (2001)1 recommends using the root-mean-square (rms) acceleration of the measured vibration with a frequency weighting. While a few epidemiological studies have reported results consistent with the predictions made according to the recommendation, many other studies have reported results with large discrepancies.2 This may be partially attributed to the time-averaging effect involved in calculation of the frequency components, especially for impact type tools. Because the spectral characteristics of impact tools change dramatically with time, a time-frequency (T-F) analysis can provide better characterizations of such highly transient vibrations. The analytic wavelet transform (AWT) is an ideal T-F analysis tool because it possesses the advantages of both the Fourier transform and the wavelet transform.3 The objective of this study was to explore the application of the AWT method for characterizing the impact tool vibrations and assessing their exposure risk. Methods Five tools (two chipping hammers, two riveting hammers, and one concrete cutting saw) were used in this study. The saw vibration was measured when it was used to cut a section of road pavement during a repair. The vibrations on the other tools were measured by the procedure specified in ISO 8662-2 (1992).4 A sampling rate of 16,386 Hz was used in the measurement. The AWT and Fourier analysis were applied to these signals and to identify their characteristics. Results Figure 1 compares the T-F characteristics of the accelerations measured from the relatively steady concrete saw and a riveting hammer. The frequency weighting specified in ISO 5349-11 was applied in the calculations. The comparison clearly shows that the two tools have completely different T-F characteristics.

Jan 6, 2006

By Naoki Hosoya, Setsuo Maeda

This paper addresses establishment of an experimental system for measuring biodynamic response (BR) of hand-arm system at the NIIH in Japan. BR measurement system at the NIIH is nearly equivalent to NIOSH installed system. The feasibility of the system is examined through the apparent mass (AM) measurement of the empty handle and a set of calibration masses. Apparatus The grip force was measured by using the handle shown in Fig. 1. The handle has two force sensors (KISTLER, 9212) and one accelerometer (PCB, 356A12). A low-pass filter with 5 Hz cut-off frequency was used to the grip force from measured force signal. Figure 2 shows BR measurement system in this study. The push or pull force at the handle was measured by using the force plate (KISTLER, 9286AA). The grip force and the push / pull force were displayed on a monitor. The shaker (IMV, VE-100S) is used to vibrate the hand-arm system along the forearm axis (Zh direction) (ISO 10068, 1998; ISO 5349-1, 2001). In most situations force actions for operating tools are expressed by grip, push, pull and combined these actions. These actions can be simulated in the test system. AM was obtained by performing H1 estimator in the PULSETM system (B&K, 3109) and it is denoted at the one-third octave band center frequencies. [ ] Methods In order to investigate the reliability of the system, AM measurement of the handle was performed. It is assumed that the handle is rigid in the upper limit of adoptive frequency range in this study. This assumption is validated in AM measurement of the empty handle. A pseudo-random vibration in the frequency range of 10 to 1,250 Hz was used and its amplitude is 1.0 (m/s2)2/Hz with a flat power spectral density (PSD) in the experiment. Measured AM includes the mass effect of the measuring cap in a subject experiment. Compensated apparent mass AMc(?) is obtained by Eq. (1) 1-2.

Jan 6, 2006

By Lu Li, Sara E. Wilson

Occupational exposure to whole body vibration has long been associated with increased incidence of low back pain and low back injuries1. A number of studies have investigated transmissibility of seat pan vibration 5, 6. While transmissibility has been well researched, the mechanism by which vibration may induce injury has not been thoroughly studied. Winter et al. identified increased reflex response delay after vibration exposure and speculated that muscular fatigue may be the cause of this increase9. However, a mechanism has yet to be demonstrated completely. A potential mechanism that may explain the increased risk is neuromotor habituation. Muscle spindle organs have been shown in the extremities to be sensitive to muscle and tendon vibration. Rapid length changes in muscle have been shown to result in kinesthetic illusions as the regular firing of the muscle spindles is interpreted as muscle lengthening4, 7. These illusions have also been demonstrated in the paraspinal musculature2. With removal of vibration, research in the extremities has demonstrated increased positioning errors, probably due to neuromotor habituation8. In this research, it has been hypothesized that neuromotor habituation after exposure to occupational vibration will increase positioning errors. It is further hypothesized that these errors can be shown to be linked to increased reflex response time. Such increased reflex response time could, in turn, decrease spinal stability and increase low back injury risk. Methods Both positioning error and sudden load response were measured before and after exposure to 20 minutes of 5 Hz, 0.223 m/s2 RMS seat pan vibration. Subjects were asked to sit on an unpadded seat without a backrest. Throughout the whole body vibration period, subjects were instructed to put their hands on a stable hand rest and feet on an adjustable stable footrest. The subjects were instructed to assume a comfortable and relax sitting posture for the duration of the exposure. Positioning error was measured using an active-active reposition sense protocol. Electromagnetic markers (Motionstar, Ascension Tech, Burlington, VT) were used to track trunk motion. With markers attached to the skin at the T10 vertebra, the S1 vertebra and manubrium, trunk flexion (the angle from vertical of the line connecting T10 and S1) and lumbar curvature (the difference in inclination of the T10 and S1 markers) were tracked. In the reposition sense protocol, subjects were asked to maintain an upright trunk flexion and to rotate their pelvis and lumbar curvature to assume a target lumbar curvature. In the protocol subjects completed training trials, where they were asked to match their lumbar curvature using a visual display, and assessment trials, where they were asked to reproduce the lumbar curvature from memory. After two initial training trials, training trials and assessment trials were alternated for a total of 3 assessment trials. Reposition error was defined as the absolute difference between the target lumbar curvature and the lumbar curvature the subject assumed during the assessment trials.

Jan 6, 2006

By Yagesh N. Bhambhani, Rammohan V. Maikala

Landstrom et al. (1985) suggested the possibility of cortical activation during exposure to WBV, however, it is not known how cerebral physiology (oxygenation and blood volume) responds in healthy women during different vibration frequencies. This study examined the role of backrest support and handgrip work on cerebral oxygenation and blood volume responses, during exposure to seated WBV. Methods Fourteen women (age: 23.9 ± 3.5 years) were randomly exposed to three frequencies of WBV (3, 4.5 and 6 Hz at approximately 0.9gr.m.s in the vertical direction) on a customized vibrating base (Advanced Therapy Products, Inc., USA) in a seated posture on three separate days. On the first day, the subjects completed an aerobic fitness test until volitional exhaustion on an arm cranking ergometer (Cybex, MET 300, USA). Each WBV session lasted 30 min (6 min baseline without WBV, 8 min WBV ‘with’ or ‘without’ backrest support, and 4 min recovery from WBV, 8 min WBV with ‘opposite’ backrest condition, and 4 min recovery following WBV). During 8 min WBV exposure ‘with’ and ‘without’ backrest support, subjects performed maximal voluntary rhythmic handgrip contractions with their right hand for 1 min using a dynamometer. To obtain regional oxygenation and blood volume responses, a NIRS sensor (MicroRunman, NIM, Inc., PA, USA) was placed on the anterior right frontal lobe just below the hair and close to fronto-temporalis region (Maikala et al. 2005). Results Baseline oxygenation and blood volume values were recorded during recovery from each WBV session of ‘with’ and ‘without’ backrest support. The physiological change in oxygenation and blood volume during each frequency (3, 4.5, and 6 Hz) for both backrest (‘with’ and ‘without’ a backrest) and workload (WBV only and WBV combined with rhythmic handgrip contractions) was calculated as the difference between the maximum values identified for each WBV condition of backrest and workload and baseline values (Maikala et al. 2005). Three-way analysis of covariance with repeated measures (frequency, backrest, and workload) with a fully crossed design was used to evaluate the differences in the oxygenation and blood volume responses (measured in optical density [od] units). Peak oxygen uptake during

Jan 6, 2006

By Fred N. Kissell

In This Chapter [The explosibility of methane gas mixtures Effect of pressure and temperature on explosibility Less common sources of methane ignitions The amount of methane stored in coal Forecasting the methane emission rate Layering of methane at the mine roof When the recirculation of mine air is hazardous The importance of higher air velocity in preventing methane explosions and Mine explosions, barometric pressure, and the seasonal trend in explosions] Dealing with methane in mines and tunnels requires knowledge of the circumstances under which dangerous accumulations of methane are likely to occur. This knowledge involves the properties of the gas itself, an awareness of where these accumulations are likely to occur, and facts on how methane mixes safely into the mine air. The other chapters in this handbook address the handling of methane under a variety of specific circumstances, such as at continuous miner faces or coal storage silos. This chapter addresses some broad concepts that serve as a foundation for the suggestions provided in other chapters. THE EXPLOSIBILITY OF METHANE GAS MIXTURES Methane entering a mine or tunnel often enters as a localized source at high concentration. Figure 1–1 depicts a cloud of methane being diluted into a moving air stream. In this illustration, methane enters the mine from a crack in the roof. As the methane emerges from the crack, it progressively mixes with the ventilation air and is diluted. In the event that this progressive dilution reduces the concentration from 100% to 1%,2 as shown in Figure 1–1, the methane passes through a concentration range of 15% to 5%, known as the explosive range. In the explosive range, the mixture may be ignited. Above 15%, called the upper explosive limit (UEL), methane-air mixtures are not explosive, but will become explosive when mixed with more air.

Jan 6, 2006

By Horst Peter Wölfel

The goal of biodynamic models is to simulate the vibration behaviour of the human body. In combination with experimental studies biodynamical models can be a powerful tool for the analysis of the effects of vibration exposure on health [1] and comfort. This paper gives an overview of the state of the art of biodynamic whole-body vibration models of humans, addressing both numerical models and hardware dummies. Method Two approaches are distinguished, the phenomenological and the anatomical, as illustrated in Figure 1. [ ] Phenomenological models aim to reproduce the vibration behaviour of humans with respect to particular physical quantities, chiefly the driving-point impedance at the interface to the seat, and partly with respect to other transfer functions. Discrete systems of masses, springs, and dampers with several degrees of freedom whose topology and parameters are determined by structure- and parameter identification methods are used in the sense that the functions derived from measurements are reproduced as well as possible. This paper provides an evaluation of this methodology and defines its range of application as well as its limits.

Jan 6, 2006