4.3 Application of Fluid Mechanics in Mine Ventilation - Flow in Underground Mines

LECTURE 3
THE CONTENTS OF THIS LECTURE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1.0 EXPRESSION FOR PRESSURE LOSS DUE TO TURBULENT

FLOW IN PIPES
2.0 WORK DONE AGAINST FRICTION
3.0 WHICH TYPE OF FLOW IS FAVOURABLE IN MINES?
4.0 EDDY FORMATION
REFERENCES
Page 1 of 12
1.0 EXPRESSION FOR PRESSURE LOSS DUE TO TURBULENT FLOW IN PIPES

We have derived equation for pressure drop in case of laminar flow in pipes. In a
similar way, let us derive equation for pressure drop in case of turbulent flow in
pipes.
Before we begin it is important for you to know that the expression for
pressure loss which we arrived for laminar flow is purely analytical. However in case
of turbulent flow, the expression is empirical (based on observation). Local eddies
and propagating eddies that develop in case of turbulent flow worsen the situation
and because of that till now we have not arrived at any analytical approach.
Now, let
d = diameter of pipe (m)
L = length of pipe (m)
= shear stress (N/m2)
A = cross sectional area of the pipe (m2)
Scientist Antoine de Chezy (1719 -1798), started research on many canals and
tunnels during his period of study and came out with following conclusions for open
ducts. He noticed that the mean velocity of fluid in open ducts follow the following
trend:
u , where
h= vertical distance per unit of length of channel or tunnel or ducts.

u ,
1
u ()
Combining all the three we get :
u = c
Page 2 of 12
.(1)
where c= Chezy coefficient

Let us discuss about the units in the above equation.
Mean velocity, u in meter per sec ( )

Channel gradient is unit less
Area, A in square meter (m2)
Wetted perimeter, (per) in meter (m)
What can be said about the unit of Chezy coefficient? As per dimensional analysis
its unit must be 2
Now, let us see, how we arrived this unit?

We know when a viscous fluid flows, it exerts shear stress on the walls of a pipe or
channel. Let that stress be . Force acting on the fluid is
F= =
.(2)
Where per is the perimeter and l is the length of channel or pipe.

Now if it is viscous, it must have head or pressure loss. Let the pressure loss be p.
So force acting on the fluid F= p
(3)
Equating equations 2 and 3, we get:

=
Thus, =
Now we know the well-known equation p= gh. Using this in the above equation,
we get
.(4)
Now we know that, shear stress is directly proportional to the inertial stress.
Page 3 of 12
Hence, =
2
2
..(5)
Equating equations 4 & 5 we get:
2
=
Thus , =
..(6)
Comparing equations 6 & 1 we get

2
Here,
f= friction factor called fanning friction factor or skin friction factor. It is unit less.
Thus, the unit of c is 2
Therefore, 2 =
2 2
4
2
4
This is called Chezy- Darcy equation or simply Darcy equation or Darcy Weisbach
equation.
Therefore, =
42
2
Here h= head loss

Therefore, pressure loss , =
42
2
pascal
Can we find any relation between f and Re?

Let us find out.
Equating pressure loss in case of laminar flow to turbulent flow, we have
42 32
=
2
2
Page 4 of 12

16
= 16 (
) =
In terms of Darcy friction factor, the pressure difference will be in the form
2
=
2
64
Thus 4 = =
In some text books, in the equation is written as f, where f is Darcy friction

factor.
Sometimes we may come across a situation wherein it may be difficult to judge,
which friction factor (of the two discussed above) is given in the problem. In order
to decide, which friction factor is given in the problem, we need to take help from
the Moody diagram (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 Moody diagram (after McPherson, 1993)

In Fig. 1, the curve for laminar flow cuts the coefficient of friction at a value of
0.016 for which the corresponding REYNOLDS NUMBER is 1000 and at 0.008 for
which Reynolds number is 2000.
Let,
=
Page 5 of 12
=
Therefore,
= 16
And we get
=
16
Thus, coefficient of friction factor asked in the problem is fanning friction factor or
skin friction factor.
Let me tell you that, these values of friction factors are for laminar flow in circular
pipe and it changes with change in the geometry of the opening as given in Table 1.
Table 1 Friction factor for fully developed laminar flow in pipes of various
cross-sections
Page 6 of 12
We can also notice the difference in the friction factor for different types of flow.
The relationship of friction factor with geometry of the opening has been ignored to
avoid complexity at this stage.
2.0 WORK DONE AGAINST FRICTION
Fig. 2
Let us consider Fig. 2. It may be considered a typical duct or airway in mines. Then
for steady flow, the energy at point 1 must be equal to that at point 2 (applying
conservation of energy).
1 2
2
+ 1 +
2 2
2
+ 2 +
+ 12
All the symbols in the above equation have their standard meaning. 12 in the
above expression must be equal to the energy needed to overcome the pressure
drop, if we assume no change in elevation as well as velocity.
Thus we can write, 12 =
1 2
= /
Hence work done against friction in case of laminar flow is

32
2
(as =
32
)
2
And work done against friction in case of turbulent flow is

42
2
, (as =
Page 7 of 12
42
)
2
f= fanning friction factor

Note that in both the cases mentioned above we have not used mass term and
therefore the unit of w12 is
3.0 WHICH TYPE OF FLOW IS FAVOURABLE IN MINES?

To decide about which type of flow i.e., whether laminar or turbulent is favorable in
mines, we must first try to understand their influence on the mine ventilation.
Before deciding which one is better, let us summarize the properties of the two.
Table 1 gives the different parameters and the effect on these parameters through
laminar and turbulent flow.
Table 1 Impact of laminar and turbulent flow on different parameters
Parameter
Laminar
Turbulent
Eddy formation
No eddies are formed
Eddies are formed locally

as well as they propagate
along the motion of the
fluid.
42
=
2
Pressure drop in
case of circular
pipe
Heat transfer
Mine condition
i.e. .
Thus pressure drop is less compared
to turbulent flow
Heat transfer is comparatively much
lesser to the underground mine
environment than that when flow is
turbulent
Very
less
dirty
compared
to
turbulent, as suspended dust is
lesser in the mine environment
Promotes methane layering
Methane
layering
Analysis of flow Simple
and
other
considerations
Velocity of air
Low
Page 8 of 12
32
2
i.e. 2
Promotes heat flow and
adds more heat to the
underground environment
Full of dust
Resist methane layering
Complex
High
Thus, on the basis of the above comparison, now you may be in a position to
decide, which type of flow is better for underground workings. The comparison of
Table 1 shows that laminar flow may be better for underground environment as it
creates healthy working environment with lower pressure drop thereby saving in
the power and the cost.
Though, it comes out that flow should be maintained laminar in mines. But, is it
possible to do so? Let us find it.
We know the value of Re for flow to be either turbulent or laminar. It is 2000 for
laminar and 4000 for turbulent. Viscosity of air has value of 1. 8 105 kg/ms .
The density of air is 1.2 /3 . If we consider the value of diameter of duct to be 1
m, the lower critical velocity comes out to be 0.03 m/s and upper critical velocity
comes out to be 0.06 m/s. This value will further reduce, if we increase hydraulic
diameter of airway. This is a very low value of velocity compared to the velocity at
which air should flow in mines for comfortable working conditions. Thus, laminar
flow is ruled out.
Further, as air has to move in underground mines of varying
cross-sectional areas, bends, obstructions etc, it is further disturbed thereby

making laminar flow in mines almost impossible.
Now, the question arises, how we control or overcome dust problem in mines due
to turbulent flow of air? Also, how to maintain required comfortable temperature in
underground mines as we know turbulent flow will add more heat to air from the
mine atmosphere?
Generally in mines, dust is a major issue near the face. To deal with dust problem
at the face, we may adopt a suitable ventilation system at the face. As for instance,
in case of blind headings, dust at the face can be reduced by adopting overlap
system of auxiliary ventilation. There are other technical ways also for controlling
dust in mines. Also in case of necessity in deep and hot mines, refrigeration and air
conditioning of air may be thought of for maintaining comfortable working
conditions besides increasing the air flow.
Page 9 of 12
Thus, based on the above discussion, it may be concluded that, the flow in mines in
general is turbulent in nature. May be in some part of the mine flow may be
laminar.
4.0 EDDY FORMATION
Let us try to understand the concept of eddy formation during the flow of gases. Let
us have a look at the flow of air in auxiliary ventilation system as shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 Air flow pattern in auxiliary ventilation system (after McPherson,

1993)
Notice the difference in the flow near the face and away from the face both in case
of line brattice and duct system of auxiliary ventilation. It is very clear that near the
face the movement of air is not uniform. This is due to turbulence produced
because of change in direction. This effect is more in case forcing fan is used for
auxiliary ventilation. In case we use exhaust fan for the purpose of auxiliary
ventilation, the turbulence produced near the face is less because of lack of jet
effect in it, compared to that of forcing fan. This turbulent produced in the air near
the face is responsible for eddy formation, wherein the air molecules moves along
an imaginary path/zig-zag path.
Page 10 of 12
Let us now discuss about whether eddy formation is desirable or not? Does it have
any impact on mine environment?
Consider Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b) wherein methane layering for level airway and
descentionally ventilated airway are shown.
Fig. 4 Methane layering in (a) a level airway (b) a descentionally ventilated

airway (after McPherson, 1993)
In case of Fig. 4(a) formation of methane layer has taken place in an efficient
manner as the airway is level and eddy formation is minimal. In Fig. 4(b), we find
that due to formation of eddy in the descentionally ventilated airway, formation of
methane layer is not in an efficient manner. Thus it reduces risk of explosion due to
methane.
Page 11 of 12
However, formation of eddies in the air at the same time is also dangerous as it
mixes coal dust and fumes at all levels of the airway. Further, because of eddy
formation, air molecules move in a highly disordered manner and increasing the
amount of heat addition to the underground mine atmosphere which is highly
undesirable. Thus eddy formation in mines should be avoided.
REFERENCES
Hartman, H. L., Mutmansky, J. M. & Wang, Y. J. (1982); Mine Ventilation and Air
Conditioning; John Wiley & Sons, New York.
McPherson, M. J. (1993); Subsurface Ventilation and Environmental Engineering;
Chapman & Hall, London.
Vutukuri, V. S. & Lama, R. D. (1986); Environmental Engineering in Mines;
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Page 12 of 12

4.3 Application of Fluid Mechanics in Mine Ventilation - Flow in Underground Mines

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What are the different types of flows discussed in the document?

What are the different types of flows discussed in the document?

What is the Chezy equation and what are its components?

What is the Chezy equation and what are its components?

LECTURE 3

THE CONTENTS OF THIS LECTURE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1.0 EXPRESSION FOR PRESSURE LOSS DUE TO TURBULENT

1.0 EXPRESSION FOR PRESSURE LOSS DUE TO TURBULENT FLOW IN PIPES

h= vertical distance per unit of length of channel or tunnel or ducts.

Combining all the three we get :

where c= Chezy coefficient

Mean velocity, u in meter per sec ( )

its unit must be 2

Now, let us see, how we arrived this unit?

Where per is the perimeter and l is the length of channel or pipe.

Equating equations 2 and 3, we get:

Equating equations 4 & 5 we get:

Comparing equations 6 & 1 we get

Thus, the unit of c is 2

Here h= head loss

Can we find any relation between f and Re?

In some text books, in the equation is written as f, where f is Darcy friction

Fig. 1 Moody diagram (after McPherson, 1993)

Hence work done against friction in case of laminar flow is

And work done against friction in case of turbulent flow is

f= fanning friction factor

3.0 WHICH TYPE OF FLOW IS FAVOURABLE IN MINES?

No eddies are formed

Eddies are formed locally

Further, as air has to move in underground mines of varying

cross-sectional areas, bends, obstructions etc, it is further disturbed thereby

Fig. 3 Air flow pattern in auxiliary ventilation system (after McPherson,

Fig. 4 Methane layering in (a) a level airway (b) a descentionally ventilated

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