Study information

Working Environment and Ventilation - 2021 entry

MODULE TITLEWorking Environment and Ventilation CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODECSMM188 MODULE CONVENERProf Patrick Foster (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 20
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Module content covers subjective & theoretical elements (ventilation words & concepts, underground hazards & ventilation economics) and mathematical elements (airflow, ventilation thermodynamics & psychometry. This is an essential topic for all mining engineers and is the real life application of engineering science subjects such as fluid mechanics studied in years one and two.

AIMS - intentions of the module

The module extends understanding of engineering principles in relation to the environmental conditions that are encountered in the workplace and the application of these principles to the ventilation of underground excavations and surface facilities.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1 recall or recognise most of the facts, concepts and techniques of the syllabus plan;

2 analyse data within contexts covered in the syllabus with some guidance, using the majority of techniques covered in the syllabus plan;

3 transform data and concepts towards a clearly specified purpose and produce designs to problems within contexts explained within the syllabus plan;

4 conduct observations of the condition of the working environment or a ventilation system with minimal guidance;

5 understand the factors that influence the condition of the working environment or the operation of ventilation systems;

6 recognise that there are inconsistencies or errors in data and methods;

7 identify solutions to complex problems that are similar to those covered in the syllabus plan.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

8 make use of the majority of resources that support the syllabus plan;

9 choose a design method from the syllabus plan;

10 conduct calculations correctly, neatly and be able to comment whether the answers make sense.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

11 use independent learning skills for the solution of worksheet problems;

12 demonstrate group working skills;

13 show data-handling skills through critically evaluation of a design problem and produce, to a strict deadline, detailed recommendations/reasoned arguments for an appropriate solution;

14 illustrate report-writing skills;

15 display IT skills and become familiar with specialist mine ventilation software.
 

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

- review of steady flow energy equation, thermodynamic diagrams and polytropic processes; UK statutory requirements for mine ventilation;

- mine thermodynamic cycles, natural ventilation energy, thermodynamic efficiency, psychrometric relations for moist air; frictional energy losses, shock losses, Atkinsons equation, friction factors and airway resistances;

- ventilation networks, equivalent resistances, Hardy Cross iterative solutions to complex networks, computer aided design of ventilation systems;

- fans, types of fan and fan performance characteristics, definition of fan design pressures;

- fan performance connected to ventilation systems (series, parallel, semi-series, semi-parallel), fan laws; ventilation layouts for mining systems, auxillary ventilation and controlled recirculation; ventilation economics;

- gases : types (CH 4, CO, O2, CO2, H2S, N2), explosive limits and allowable concentrations; sources: (strata gas, explosives, equipment, oxidation, fires); detection, measurement and control (equipment, methods, methane drainage, dilution);

- dust : anatomy of the respiratory system, biological effects & allowable concentrations;

- sources: (excavation, movement of ore & waste, traffic); measurement and control (equipment, methods, measures to prevent coal dust explosions);

- heat : sources of heat in mines and physiological effects of heat.

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 50 Guided Independent Study 100 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 36 Lectures with integrated tutorials
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 12 Computing sessions
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 2 Laboratory
Guided independent study 100 Private study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Tutorial sheets covering key topics of airflow, fans and psychrometry   1-5, 11 Worked model answers will be available on ELE
       
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 40 Written Exams 60 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Examination 60 2 hours 1-3, 10, 13 On request
Individual assignment: analysis and reporting of mine ventilation field experiments 25 2,000 words 4-7, 12-13, 14-15 Written
Individual assignment: fan tests 15 1,000 words 4-7, 8-9, 12-13 Written
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Summative assessment Additional Summative assessment 4-7, 8-9, 12-13, 14-15 Aug Ref/Def Period
Examination Additional Examination 1-3, 10, 13 Aug Ref/Def Period
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

As above – coursework component and/or exam as appropriate.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

 

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

 

Web based and Electronic Resources:

 

Other Resources:

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Rogers, G.F.G. and Mayhew, Y.R. Engineering Thermodynamics Work and Heat Transfer Longman 1996 0-582-04566-5
Set McPherson M.J Subsurface Ventilation and Environmental Engineering Chapman and Hall 1992
Set The Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa The Ventilation of South African Gold Mines Cape and Transvaal Printers 1974
Set The Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa Environmental Engineering in South African Mines Cape and Transvaal Printers 1982
Set Eastop, T.D. and McConkey, A. Applied Thermodynamics for Engineering Technologists 5th Longman 1993 0-582-09193-4
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 10th July 2018 LAST REVISION DATE Monday 5th October 2020
KEY WORDS SEARCH Mining ventilation

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.