DESIGN OF VENTILATION SYSTEMS AND FIRE SCENARIOS IN MINES AND ESTABLISHING THE SAFETY ZONE WITH ANALYSIS OF ESCAPE ROUTES

摘要

In this study, fire scenarios that may occur in mines have been prepared by means of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and the results obtained from modifying the direction and velocity of airflow in tunnel entrances and exits have been examined. The operating parameters of the ventilation system (air velocity and direction) were taken as a basis in the underground mine model, and a fire pool was prepared. Fire analyses with heat release rate (HRR) values of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 MW were conducted based on different scenarios. Temperature distributions and smoke movements within the tunnel were analyzed. An attempt was made to create scenarios to provide workers with correct guidance in the event of a fire, based on the results obtained from the mine model. It was seen in the created scenarios that temperature distribution and smoke movement have quite dynamic structures in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, the change in the differences of the distances to the so-called safety zones for workers, where fire smoke or temperature increase are absent, was examined. As a result of this study, the effects that may arise in the mining sector related to fire were reviewed, and the importance of critical decisions that are required at the moment of an accident is illustrated by means of diagrams. This study revealed that a correct response in the entrance and exit conditions allows adequate time for evacuation of all workers, while an incorrect response could cause an increase in the expansion rate of poisonous gases stemming from the fire.