Validation of temperature and humidity thermal model of 23-person tent-type refuge alternative

Yan, Lincan; Yantek, David S.; Klein, Mark; Bissert, P.T.; Matetic, R.J.

doi:10.19150/me.6759

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…More details on additional NIOSH heat/humidity testing on this 23-person RA can be found in Ref. [10]. Similar to the 30-person BIP RA test, the CryoRASS was positioned outside the RA tent.…”

Section: -Person Tent-type Refuge Alternativementioning

confidence: 99%

Underground Mine Refuge Alternatives Heat Mitigation

Yan

Yantek

Lutz

et al. 2019

Journal of Thermal Science and Engineering Applications

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In case of an emergency in an underground coal mine, miners who fail to escape from the mine can enter a refuge alternative (RA) for protection from adverse conditions, such as high carbon monoxide levels. One of the main concerns with the use of both portable and built-in-place (BIP) RAs, especially for hot or deep mines, is the interior temperature rise due to the occupants' metabolic heat and the heat released by devices such as the carbon dioxide (CO2) scrubbing system. The humidity within the RA will also increase through occupants' respiration and perspiration and from the chemical reaction within the CO2 scrubbing system. Heat and humidity buildup can subject the occupants to hazardous thermal conditions. To protect RA occupants, Mine Safety and Health Administration regulations mandate a maximum apparent temperature of 95 °F within an occupied RA. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) tested both an air-conditioned borehole air supply (BAS) and a cryogenic air supply for RAs in the NIOSH Experimental Mine in Bruceton, PA. The BAS was tested on a 60-person BIP RA, while the cryogenic air supply was tested on a 30-person BIP RA and a portable 23-person tent-type RA. Multiple tests were conducted with both air supplies to assess their ability to cool RAs. The test results show that the BAS and the cryogenic air supply were able to maintain the apparent temperature within the tested RAs under the 95 °F limit. The BAS and the cryogenic air supply are potential RA heat mitigation strategies that mines could use to prevent heat/humidity buildup within RAs.

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Section: -Person Tent-type Refuge Alternativementioning

confidence: 99%

Underground Mine Refuge Alternatives Heat Mitigation

Yan

Yantek

Lutz

et al. 2019

Journal of Thermal Science and Engineering Applications

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“…)-long resistance temperature detectors by averaging their readings at eight locations around the refuge alternative chamber. More details on sensor and resistance temperature detector locations can be found in Yan et al (2016).…”

Section: Tested Refuge Alternativesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Portable refuge alternatives temperature and humidity tests

Yan

Yantek

2018

Mining Engineering

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Federal regulations require refuge alternatives in underground coal mines to sustain life for 96 h while maintaining an apparent temperature below 35 °C (95 °F). Research by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has shown that heat and humidity buildup is a major concern with refuge alternatives because they have limited ability to dissipate heat, and high internal air temperature and relative humidity (RH) may expose occupants to heat stress. The heat transfer process within and surrounding a refuge alternative is complex and not easily defined, analytically or experimentally. To investigate heat and humidity buildup in refuge alternatives, NIOSH conducted multiple in-mine, 96-h tests on a 10-person tent-type refuge alternative, a 23-person tent-type refuge alternative and a six-person metal-type refuge alternative. The results show that when moisture was introduced to represent perspiration and respiration from miners (wet tests), the average temperature at midheight increased by 10.5 °C (18.9 °F) and the RH approached 88 percent for the 10-person tent-type refuge alternative; the average temperature at midheight increased by 9.4 °C (16.9 °F) and the RH approached 94 percent for the 23-person tent-type refuge alternative; and the average temperature at midheight increased by 7.7 °C (13.9 °F) and the RH approached 95 percent for the six-person metal-type refuge alternative. For the dry tests, where no moisture was introduced, the average internal temperature increased by 12.6 °C (22.7 °F) for the 10-person tent-type refuge alternative, by 10.3 °C (18.5 °F) for the 23-person tent-type refuge alternative and by 8.4 °C (15.1 °F) for the six-person metal-type refuge alternative. These results may provide refuge alternative manufacturers and mine operators with guidelines and considerations for evaluating temperature profiles for portable refuge alternatives. The information may then be used to make decisions on occupancy ratings and heat mitigation strategies based on the thermal environment in which the refuge alternatives will be installed.

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“…In 2013, NIOSH tested a 10-person training unit tent-type RA in its Safety Research Coal Mine [ 8 , 9 ]. In 2014, NIOSH tested a 23-person tent-type RA in its Experimental Mine [ 10 , 11 ]. Beginning in 2015 and continuing through 2016, NIOSH also tested a 6-person metal RA in its Experimental Mine [ 12 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, thermal simulation models could be used to examine the maximum RA occupancy so that the AT limit is satisfied across a broad range of mine ambient temperatures, strata properties, and dimensions. NIOSH RA heat/humidity test data has been used to develop and validate several thermal simulation models [ 9 , 11 , 17 ] and a thermal simulation software tool [ 18 ]. The RA thermal simulation models have been used to examine a variety of aspects related to RA heat/humidity, including heat loss mechanisms for occupied RAs [ 19 ], the effect of mine strata thermal behavior and initial mine temperatures [ 14 ], and the effect of seasonal temperatures on RA heat/humidity and occupancy [ 20 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%