Simulation of the Effects of Thermo Insulating Shotcrete on the Energy Consumption of Ventilation and Cooling Systems at Deep Underground Mines

摘要

As the demand for minerals increases over the world, mining reaches new depths. As a result, one has to contend with increasing temperatures in working areas due to geothermal heat trapped in the surrounding rocks. One consequence of this is an escalating cost related to ventilation and cooling systems in order to keep the working environment comfortable for miners. It is here that the application of thermal insulation, which is also mechanically sound, assumes importance. However, until now, the insulation technique has not been widely used in hot mines around the world, due to the difficulty in insulation material selection. The insulation layer on the rock surface of mine openings serves as a thermo-barrier to reduce the heat flow from the rock to the mine atmosphere.This paper uses the results of laboratory tests conducted with various mixtures of thermo insulating shotcretes to find out whether or not insulation of mine airways would be economically viable for hot underground mines.