Geosystem Engineering

The Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers (한국자원공학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

A study on the fire propagation characteristics in large-opening multi-level limestone mines in Korea

  • Lee, Changwoo (Energy and Mineral Resources Engineering Department, Dong-A University) ;
  • Nguyen, Vanduc (Energy and Mineral Resources Engineering Department, Dong-A University)
  • Received : 2016.09.27
  • Accepted : 2016.10.14
  • Published : 2016.12.31
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Recently, deployment of large-capacity diesel haulage trucks is rapidly increasing in the domestic large-opening limestone mines due to the high level of operational flexibility. However, in multi-level mines, this trend has raised the serious concern for the risk of diesel vehicle fire. Fire in a deep multi-level mine site is harder to control and likely to develop into disastrous results. Developing the emergency evacuation strategies and controlling the fire should presuppose a knowledge of the fire behavior in mines. This paper aims at studying the behavior of a 25-ton diesel truck fire showing approximately the maximum heat release rate of 30 MW by computational fluid dynamic analysis. Spatial and temporal distributions of the hot air stream, smoke layer, and CO gas layer in multi-level mine sites are evaluated, and the effects of fan operation are scrutinized to find the appropriate fan location and operating mode. In addition, several other aspects of the fire development such as backlayering and throttling effects are also studied. The ultimate goal is to provide fundamental information about fire propagating characteristics in multi-level large-opening underground limestone mines for developing the mine fire evacuation plan and protect the workers' safety.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning, Korea Resources Corporation

References

  1. ANSYS, Inc. (2015). FLUENT User's Guide. Version 15.0. Canonsburg, PA: ANSYS, Inc.
  2. Bickel, K. L. (1987). Analysis of diesel-powered mine equipment. Proceedings of the Bureau of Mines Technology Transfer Seminar: Diesels in Underground Mines. Information Circular 9141. Pittsburgh, PA: Bureau of Mines.
  3. BS-PD 7974-1. (2003). Application of fire safety engineering principles to the design of buildings. Initiation and development of fire within the enclosure of origin (Sub-system 1). London: British Standards Institution.
  4. CO Knowledge Center. (2016, September 24). Retrieved from http://www.detectcarbonmonoxide.com/co-health-risks/
  5. Frantzich, H. (2000). Utrymning av tunnelbanetag: Experimentell utvardering av mojligheten att utrymma i spartunnel [Evacuation from subway trains: An experimental evaluation of the possibility to evacuate in a rail tunnel]. Karstad: Raddningsverket.
  6. Hansen, R., & Ingason, H. (2013). Full-scale fire experiments with mining vehicles in an underground mine. Studies in sustainable technology. Research Report 2013, Vol. 2, Sweden: Malardalen University.
  7. Ingason, H., Li, Y. Z., & Lonnermark, A. (2015). Tunnel fire tests. In Tunnel Fire Dynamics (pp. 45-87). New York, NY: Springer.
  8. Lee, C. W., & Kim, H. G. (2015). CFD analysis of truck fire in large-opening limestone mine. In The 15th North American Mine Ventilation Symposium. Blacksburg, VA, USA.
  9. NFPA 120. (2004). Standard for fire prevention and control in coal mines. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association.
  10. NFPA 130. (2007). Standard for fixed guideway transit and passenger rail systems. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association.
  11. NFPA 502. (2008). Standard for tunnels, bridges, and other limited access highways. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association.
  12. NFPA 122. (2015). Standard for fire prevention and control in metal/nonmetal mining and metal mineral processing facilities. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association.
  13. Parsons Brinckerhoff. WSP Global Inc. (1996). Memorial tunnel fire ventilation test program. Interactive CD-ROM and Comprehensive Test Report. New York, NY.

Cited by

  1. Characterization of Microschist Rocks under High Temperature at Najran Area of Saudi Arabia vol.14, pp.22, 2021, https://doi.org/10.3390/en14227612