Underground Mine Breathing Air Safety System
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Solution Overview
Problem
In underground mines, the presence of drawrock, which deteriorates due to environmental conditions, compromises primary roof support systems, leading to potential roof collapses and posing significant safety risks and operational challenges for mine operators.
Innovation Solution
A safety system for mine structures that includes a supply unit for delivering breathable air from a source of compressed air, an air distribution system with a secure fill site to prevent leakage and over-pressurization, and an air storage subsystem with a booster tank to maintain system pressure, along with an air monitoring system to track impurities and contaminants, ensuring reliable and safe air supply to emergency personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If portable breathing air apparatus is used by emergency personnel, then breathing air is provided during rescue mission, but the apparatus is heavy (20-30 pounds) and provides air for only a short while (15-30 minutes)
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the air supply function into multiple components: a centralized stationary air storage system and portable filling devices. The heavy air storage function is segmented and placed in fixed locations, while only lightweight filling devices need to be moved by emergency personnel to various locations in the mine.
Solution Approach 2:
A filling device acts as an intermediary between the stationary air storage system and the portable breathing apparatus. The filling device receives air from the stationary system and transfers it to the portable apparatus, eliminating the need for emergency personnel to carry the heavy air storage tanks themselves.
2Ease of operation
If emergency personnel walk or climb to perform rescuing work, then access to difficult locations is achieved, but precious time is lost due to the journey time
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions stationary air storage systems and filling devices at multiple locations throughout the mine before emergencies occur. When an emergency happens, personnel can immediately access pre-positioned air supply points rather than having to travel to a central location, significantly reducing response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The air supply system is segmented into multiple distributed stations throughout the mine rather than a single centralized location. This segmentation allows emergency personnel to access air supply at the nearest station, minimizing travel distance and time while maintaining access to all areas of the mine.
3Reliability
If portable breathing air apparatus is used, then breathing air is provided, but the apparatus may deplete and require running back to ground floor for a new apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-fills portable breathing apparatus at distributed filling stations before personnel need them. When an emergency occurs, fully charged apparatus are already available at multiple locations, eliminating the need for personnel to return to the ground floor to retrieve equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling device serves as an intermediary that rapidly recharges portable breathing apparatus at the point of need. Instead of personnel having to travel back to the ground floor, the filling device quickly replenishes air in the portable apparatus, maintaining continuous breathing air supply without time loss.
4Reliability
If fresh air is supplied to underground mine, then breathable air is provided, but flow of fresh air is significantly hindered due to enclosed regions and high concentration of contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the air storage function from the contaminated mine environment and places it in clean, accessible locations. The stationary air storage systems are positioned where they can be filled with fresh air, and the stored air is then transported to the point of need, separating the fresh air source from the contaminated workspace.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the delivery parameter from continuous fresh air flow to stored compressed air. Instead of attempting to maintain continuous fresh air flow through the contaminated mine environment, the system stores air under pressure and delivers it on demand, overcoming the limitations of enclosed regions and contaminant concentrations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures a reliable and safe air supply to emergency personnel, preventing air leakage and maintaining system pressure, thereby reducing the risk of roof collapses and enhancing operational safety in mines with drawrock issues.
Implementation Method 1
an air storage tank to store compressed air and a booster tank coupled to the air storage tank to store compressed air of a higher pressure
Implementation Method 2
a driving air source of the air storage sub-system to pneumatically drive a piston of a pressure booster to maintain a higher pressure of the air distribution system
Implementation Method 3
a valve to prevent leakage of the breathable air from the air distribution system potentially leading to loss of system pressure
Implementation Method 4
an air monitoring system to automatically track and record any of impurities and contaminants in the breathable air of the air distribution system
Data Source
AI summary
A breathable air safety system and method having at least one fill site is disclosed. In one aspect, a method of safety of a mine structure is disclosed. A prescribed pressure of an emergency support system is ensured to be within a threshold range of the prescribed pressure by including a valve of the emergency support system to prevent leakage of breathable air from the emergency support system. The prescribed pressure of the emergency support system is designated based on an authority agency that specifies a pressure rating of the breathable air apparatus. An air extraction process is expedited from the emergency support system by including a RIC (rapid interventions company/crew)/UAC (universal air connection) fitting to a fill panel to fill a breathable air apparatus.