The use of computer programs to solve ventilation issues in Vietnamese coal mines

Abstract

Having enjoyed an economic upsurge in recent years, Vietnam isnow recording increased demand for electrical energy. Its production, forthe most part, relies on the coal mining industry, thus resulting in a strongupward trend in mining volumes. Being geologically complex, Vietnamesemines are characterised by a complicated structure of their headings. Thelocal ventilation systems are also affected by there being very few automaticdams and an by increases in airflows delivered to the mine. For this reason,in order to analyse airflows and maintain the proper control of ventilationsystems, computer software is required. The article offers a comparison ofcomputer programs – Kazemaru, VentGraph and VentSim – as employedfor use in Vietnamese mines. The assessment covered the manner in whichthese programs are used and how their output data are presented, as well astheir range of applications in the conditions of Vietnamese coal mines.