OFR-37-72 Development Of An Air Quality Simulator For Coal Mines - Foreword

The purpose of this research was to develop a computer simulator fur predicting the air quality in existing coal mines as well as a design aid for developing new mines. In addition to the air quantity flow, the other variables of tempera Lure, moisture, methane and respirable dust are necessary to determine the air quality. An additional feature of this simulator is that it allows parametric studies of these variables to explore the effect that these variables have on the air quality of an operating mine system. The research has also pointed out arias where more research is needed, and promote better and more systematic data taking techniques. Wang and Hartman (see Reference 9, on page 1-98 of Section 1) had already published a computer program to determine the ventilation of large mines, and Wang and Saperstein (see Reference 10 on page 1-98 of Section 1) later published a refinement of the work in the previous reference. These references were the starting point of the simulator developed by this present research effort, and Section 1 of this report is a slightly modified version of the original vent elation program. The modifications were necessary to permit the additional programs of temperature-moisture, methane and dust to be