Motivation

Mines use large ventilation systems to maintain a safe and healthy environment for miners. Dilution of diesel particulate matter (DPM) is often a key factor in determining the required quantities of ventilation air. DPM emissions and exposure levels are highly variable depending on mine schedules and activities. Due to lacking the technology to monitor levels continuously, mine ventilation systems are often over-designed.

As mines go deeper, it becomes more difficult to supply air, and new shafts for air are not economically feasible. Cleaning and reuse of available air then become an attractive option to maintain good air quality. In such cases, it is important to determine how efficient the air cleaning is.

Understanding the range and timing of DPM concentrations related to mine schedules and activities may enable new ventilation-on-demand fan-and-filtration devices to be intelligently used to maintain safe and healthy work conditions while reducing ventilation costs.