Flow Distribution Changes in Complex Circuits: Implications for Mine Explosions

Abstract

On at least two separate occasions, methane gas explosions occurred in underground mines when separate ventilation systems were connected. A review of these disasters indicated that conceptual errors made by the miners may have contributed to these fatal mistakes. The conceptual errors thought to be at fault concerned inadequate mental models of flow distribution changes within the mine ventilation circuit. Research conducted in this study indicates that connecting previously unconnected and unobstructed parallel circuits or adding one or more resistors results in inadequate mental models of flow distribution changes in over 70% of the 136 mine workers sampled.

Use of simulation exercises for safety training in the U.S. mining industry.

“…The exercise performance scores are appreciated by both miners and their instructors because these scores and the exercise feedback communicate immediately in a powerful, personal way what miners know and do not know about preventing or coping with a real-world emergency event [Cole et al 1988a,b;Cole 1994;Cole et al 1998;Wala and Cole 1987;Passaro et al 1989;Barrett and Kowalski 1995]. The performance results for a given exercise pooled across many miners also provide valuable information for researchers and policy makers.…”

“…These include-1. Mine ventilation principles that can lead to methane ignitions [Cole et al 1987;Wala and Cole 1987;Passaro et al 1989;Barrett and Kowalski 1995]; 2. Entrapment in bins and hoppers [Cole 1994]; 3. Beliefs and behavior that compromise escapes from underground mine fires [Cole et al 1998];…”

“…4. Failure to recognize and avoid dangerous mine roof conditions [Passaro et al 1994]; and 5. Misconceptions and errors that compromise the health of an injured colleague during first-aid procedures [Cole et al 1988a].…”