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Procedia
Engineering
Mine Security Engineering
Procedia 00 (2011)
Engineering 000–000
26 (2011) 236 – 242
www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia

First International Symposium on Mine Safety Science and Engineering

Study and Application on Simulation and Optimization

System for the Mine Ventilation Network
SHEN Yuna, WANG Hai-ningb a*
a
College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering of Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Jiangxi Ganzhou 341000,
China
b
Engineering Research Institute of Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Jiangxi Ganzhou 341000, China

Abstract

Aiming at the shortage of optimization software for mine ventilation system, such as insufficient function, poor
universal property, cockamamie data input and bad visualization, etc., an all-purpose simulation and optimization
software for mine ventilation system of underground mines was programmed by VB language based on SQL Server
database and the 3d drawing software – SolidWorks. It has solved many problems such as mine ventilation
information management, automatic drawing 3d mine ventilation stereogram, automatic calculating mine ventilation
network and automatic noting ventilation network parameters, etc. It was proved to be excellently reliable, utile and
prospect through application in several metal mines.

© 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.

Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of China Academy of Safety Science and
Technology, China University of Mining and Technology(Beijing), McGill University and University
of Wollongong.

Keywords: simulation system; mine ventilation; Solidworks; network decoding

Nomenclature

3d three dimensional
C/S client/sever

* Corresponding author. Tel.:+86-15979776022; fax:+86-0797-8312137.

E-mail address: shenyun75@126.com.

1877-7058 © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.
doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2011.11.2163
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ODBC open database connectivity

Aim at the shortage of optimization software for mine ventilation system, such as insufficient function,
poor universal property, bad maintenance, bad expansibility and bad visualization, etc. an all-purpose
simulation and optimization software integrating stereogram drawing, network decoding and result data
labeling for mine ventilation system was programmed. It solved these problems of mine ventilation
information management, 3d stereogram automatic drawing, mine ventilation network automatic
decoding, and result data automatic labeling. It could intuitively reflect actual appearance and ventilated
condition of the mine ventilation network. So it is an effective method and technical basis for mine
managers to monitor underground ventilation condition and adjust ventilation system. This software has
friendly interface, simple operation, strong visibility, good generality and practicability.

1. System Structure Design

This system was programmed by visual basic under C/S structure, whose database was established and
managed by SQL Server. And the database was accessed by ODBC. The mine ventilation network was
simulated by SolidWorks software. The crystal report software was used to output all data reports. All
part was organic integrated to realize the simulation and optimization[3]. The whole structure was showed
as fig1.

Network
Decoding

User Interface
SQL Server
Database Database
Connector
ADO ODBC

API connector

Windows NT
Server
Windows 2000
SOLIDWORKS
Graphic Platform
Crystal Report or
Windows XP

Fig. 1. structure figure of simulation and optimization system for mine ventilation network

2. 3d Model Development

2.1. Simulation program design

The previous simulation systems for mine ventilation network were mostly designed based on
AutoCAD software. In view of the insufficient 3d function of AutoCAD, this system chose SolidWorks
software platform for 3d simulation. The user interface of the system was developed by VB, the
SolidWorks was secondary developed through API connector to draw 3d stereogram. The mine
ventilation network invol ves vertical shaft, inclined shaft and middle tunnel. In order to model
conveniently, according to the different tend, the middle tunnel was divided into parallel x axis tunnel,
parallel y axis tunnel and arbitrary towards tunnel. According different tunnel, the 3d stereogram was
drawn through different feature tools such as stretching, scanning, rotation and lofting by SolidWorks.
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The drawing basic steps is: Create (choice) sketch plane → draw section sketch → plane sketch →
selection features tools → create feature[1]. The tunnel modeling process is showed as fig 2. The letter S
and E respectively represents beginning node and end node of the tunnel. The (Xs,Ys,Zs) and the
(Xe,Ye,Ze) respectively represents 3d space coordinate of the beginning and end node. The H, V and W
respectively represent horizontal plane of projection, profile plane of projection and profile plane of
projection.
start

No No create 3D
Xs=Xe and
Zs=Ze sketch through
Ys=Ye
S and E
Yes
Yes
create 3D sketch No No
Xs=Xe Ys=Ye create sketch plane create sketch plane
through S and E
through S and through S and
Yes Yes parallel H vertical SE
create sketch plane create sketch plane through create sketch plane
through S and S and parallel V through S and Parallel W Draw sketch using Draw sketch using
vertical SE S as center and R S as center and R
as radius as radius
draw section
Draw sketch using draw section sketch
sketch
S as center and R
as radius Yes Reverse Scan using section
Zs>Ze sketch as outline and
Yes Reverse Yes stretch
Ys>Ye Xs>Xe SE as path
Scan using section stretch
No
sketch as outline and No No
SE as path
Positive stretch Positive stretch Positive stretch

end

Fig. 2. the tunnel modeling process of mine ventilation network

2.2. Function realization

The function (showed as fig 3) of mine ventilation network simulation system includes main four
aspects as follow:
• Node/tunnel data input: All basic data are input, edited and inquired here such as node number, node
coordinate, tunnel number, tunnel name, start node and end node of tunnel, tunnel attribute, etc.
• Network stereogram drawing: The network stereogram of middle tunnel is drawn on part mode by
SolidlWorks. And all middle tunnel parts are assembled into ventilation network assembly body with
reasonable position and constraint relation. This composition mode from bottom up is benefit for
modification and stereogram browser of user. In addition, the system also offers a variety of alternative
tunnel section type.
• Network stereogram editing and modifying: Some tunnel could be added, deleted and edited in the
middle tunnel stereogram. Some middle tunnel stereogram could be deleted too. The whole ventilation
network stereogram could automatically update after the middle tunnel stereogram is changed.
• Network stereogram browse and print: The ventilation network stereogram could be displayed by wire
frame or coloring and so on the different mode. Also the stereogram could be displayed by arbitrary
color of RGB256. The user could browse the network stereogram on arbitrary proportion and from
arbitrary angle. Not only the ventilation network stereogram of middle tunnel, but also the whole
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network stereogram could be changed by XchangeWorks — the data transformation formula program
of SolidWorks in order to be opened by AutoCAD[4].
Data input

stereogram rendering
Three dimension
simulation model
Stereogram editing

Stereogram quary/printout

Primary data input

Network decoding
Three dimensional
Simulation and Network decoding
Rresult diagnosising
Optimization model
System for the Result tagging
Mine Ventilation
Network Result qury/printout

Database restore/backup
Dabase
management Stereogram restore/backup
model
User management

Help model

Fig. 3. function figure of simulation and optimization system for mine ventilation network

3. Ventilation Network Decoding

3.1. Program design of ventilation network decoding

There are many methods for ventilation network decoding, and the main methods by computer at home
and abroad are D. Scott - F. Hinslye method, Newton – Raphson method and node method, etc. Each
method has its own characteristics, its advantages and disadvantages. This article uses the method of node
wind pressure combining with iterative algorithm of Hardy – Cross.
The decoding program includes three parts: data input, ventilation network decoding, data output.
The primary data of ventilation network and air blower are global variables. The other calculation
data are transferred between each module by parameter. Before running the program, a primary data
file must be created whose data includes: start node and end node of the branch, branch friction,
branch natural air pressure, initial air volume being set of branch, branch with fixed air volume, air
blower raw data, air blower position and number, etc. These primary data are read into program at
the beginning. The ventilation network decoding is the main part. It includes wind resistance
decoding, basic relating matrix decoding, network decoding, etc. For the node method was used, the
program has simple structure and clearly ideas. The subprogram uses the method of main elements
all selected to calculate the node pressure equations. The iterative speed is fast, for example, the
equations with 500 nodes, 550 branches just need 40 times iterative within 2 seconds and its result
automatically generate files output. The operation speed of the program has a certain relationship
with the initial air volume being set, if the initial air volume is improper, its iterative result could be
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probably divergent. Otherwise, the iterative speed is very fast. So before running the program, the
initial air volume must be set accurately[2].

start

Input primary data

Fan characteristic curve

fitting calculation

Automatic dividing nets

hole

Calculating initially air

volume

Nets hole iterative

calculation

NO
|△Q|max<EPS

YES
Calculating fixed air, air
pressure, air resistance

Output calculation results

end

Fig. 4. decoding program process of ventilation

The ventilation network for calculating program was programmed by FORTRAN language
(showed as fig 4). The program could analysis ventilation network with 2500 branches, 2500 nodes,
1200 independent net holes, 3500 constant voltage sources, 16 air blowers of 5 different types and
could be expanded optionally.

3.2. Function realization

• Primary data input: The system could design a variety of project. The wind path parameter and fan
characteristic curve parameter of different project are input to form primary data file of corresponding
project.
• Ventilation network decoding: Through VBA connector the ventilation network decoding program is
called for by SHELL function to decode some project and get result file. Then the result data are
imported into database.
• Workspace air diagnosis: According to the air standard of different workspace type, the computed
results data is diagnosis and judged whether the air meet ventilation requirement or not. If not, the
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parameters need to be edited and calculated again until the results data meet the requirements of
ventilation project.
• Result labeling: the optimal result data is labeled nearby the corresponding tunnel of network
stereogram by arrow and words form including airflow direction, airflow amount, air resistance
amount, etc. Thus the simulation and optimization is organic combination and the user could
conveniently and intuitively understand the mine's ventilation effect.
• Result inquiry and print: The result data of different project could be queried and the optimal result
data could be reported. The reports have many forms such as inner data report with crystal report
software, Excel, PDF and text etc. The user could edit and print reports out of simulation system.

4. Data Management

• Database backup and restore: The database is built by SQL Server. User could conveniently backup
and restore the database on user interface in order to prevent the data from be lost in accident, which
do not need operate on backend server.
• Stereogram backup and restore: After the stereogram was updated, in order to prevent the stereogram
from be lost and damaged in accident, user could backup the stereogram files and restore them on
necessary.

5. Application Example

In some large metal mine there is 11 middle tunnels underground and 41 working faces need wind
contemporary. The branch number of mine ventilation network is 442 and the node number is 298, net
hole is 145. There are 5 different type air blowers running at the same time. Three ventilation projects
being stood by this study are all workable in technical and economic aspects. In order to confirm the
optimum project, they were optimized by this ventilation simulation and optimization system. The result
is show as table 1. The maxi mum error of actual node wind volume and actual net hole wind volume are
both less than 1.0 x 10 -5. The maximum error of actual net hole resistance are all less than 8.0 x 10 -6.
From the table 1, the wind volume supplied after ventilation system being rebuilt can meet the design
requirements. Which fundamentally resolved these practical problems such as shortage of wind volume in
working face, difficulty in dividing wind, etc.,
Table 1. Ventilation simulation and optimization results comparison for some mine in difficult period

Need wind Air volume Wind

Air volume Effective Mine
Actual air point qualified to speed
project required airflow ventilation
volume/m3/s wind points percent of
/m3 /s /number rate/% resisitance/Pa
/number pass /%
NO.1 450.4 35 84.3 85.4 1918.8
NO.2 445.0 467.5 41 25 60.7 61.0 1611.8
NO.3 442.6 23 55.1 56.1 2272.0
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Fig. 5. whole 3d simulation drawing for some mine ventilation network

6. Conclusion

An all-purpose simulation and optimization software for mine ventilation system of underground mine
was programmed with VB language, SQL Server database and the 3d drawing software – SolidWorks. It
realizes many functions such as mine ventilation information management, ventilation system project
optimization, mine ventilation 3d simulation, etc. This software has friendly interface, simple operation. It
has already been applied in many mental mines, and provided safety technical support and modern
ventilation management tool for the mine. It is very utile to improve the ventilation management level,
production efficiency and promote safety production. Therefore it has good practical value and
application prospect.

References
[1] SHEN Yun, WANG Hai-Ning, HUANG Guo-Ping. 3D Simulation Model of Mine Ventilation Network based on
SolidWorks. MINING SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION [J]. 2007.6:40~42.
[2] Wang Haining, Wu Chao. Mine Ventilation Network Optimizing Software and Its Application. METAL
MINE[J].2004.7 :62~64.
[3] LIN Jian-guang, ZHAO En-ping, JIANG Zhong-an, CHEN Zhou. Study of integrating mine ventilation network graphic
drawing with network solution. MINING ENGINEERING [J]. 2006.(4)6:56~58.
[4] (America)SolidWorks Company. SolidWorks API Secondly Development [M]. BEIJING: China Machine Press. 2005.7