VentSim DESIGN Training

Manual

Howden
Tel: +61 (0)7 3390 2663
Email: support@ventsim.com
Web: www.howden.com
VentSim DESIGN Training Manual

1 Contents
2 Welcome! 4
3 Course Prerequisites 4
3.1 Participants must bring 4
4 Introduction to VentSim DESIGN 5
5 Modelling in 3D 5
5.1 Load the demonstration model 5
5.2 Zoom 5
5.3 Moving around the model (general functions) 6
5.4 Fit all will place the entire model on the screen. It can be useful after zooming in or if you are lost! 6
5.5 Changing the displayed colour and text 6
5.6 Scaling 7
6 Building a simple model 7
6.1 Open new model 8
6.2 Draw airways 8
6.3 Prepare for simulation 8
6.4 Run simulation 10
6.5 Change airway parameters 11
6.6 Draw vertically 11
7 Importing from DXF File 12
7.1 Create airways from DXF 12
7.2 Preparing for simulation 12
7.3 Adjust the airway sizes 13
7.4 Adjusting the airflow 14
8 Duct and auxiliary ventilation 16
8.1 Create duct 16
8.2 Add a fan 16
8.3 Modify duct 16
9 Size optimiser 17
9.1 Optimising airway sizes 17
9.2 Settings 19
9.3 Optimise the shaft size 21
10 Fans 23
10.1 Open fan curve 23
10.2 Add fan to the database 24
10.3 Add fan curve using the fan digitiser 25
10.4 Select the correct fan 27
11 Contaminants 29
11.1 Contaminants simulation, ramp fire 29
11.2 Contaminants simulation, fresh air shaft 30
11.3 Dynamic contaminant simulation 30
11.4 Blasting simulation 32
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12 Recapitulation Exercise 33
12.1 Add the extension 33
12.2 Prepare for simulation 34
12.3 Adjust mine resistance 35
12.4 Optimise shaft size 36
12.5 Add fan 37
13 Heat simulation 39
13.1 Settings 39
13.2 Placing Heat Sources 40
13.3 Using Activity Tracks 41
13.4 Add Refrigeration 42
14 VentFIRE Simulation 44
14.1 Define a Truck fire 44
14.2 Add a fire to Ventsim 44
14.3 Running and analysing a VentFIRE simulation 46
VentSim DESIGN Training Manual

2 Welcome!

VentSim™ DESIGN provides a host of powerful tools for designing, optimizing and managing mine ventilation
networks. This course will assist ventilation professionals in accessing and efficiently utilizing the features in
VentSim™ DESIGN to enable them to not only design and build efficient new ventilation networks and systems, but
to also improve existing mine work environments and reduce ventilation costs.

Topics covered over the two-day course will cover all aspects encountered in a mine ventilation environment,
including airflows and pressures, fans, ventilation costs, airway sizes, contaminant and emergency simulations, heat
and refrigeration thermodynamics.

While a prerequisite basic understanding of ventilation theory is recommended for the course, the training is
structured to minimise the complexities of ventilation theory and maximize exposure to the practical application of
ventilation simulation and design. Much of the time will be spent examining and developing actual ventilation networks
and exposing the many functions of the software through the practical use of the program.

I hope you enjoy this course and get the most out of VentSim™ DESIGN software.

3 Course Prerequisites
3.1 Participants must bring
1. Laptop
2. Two button mouse with centre scroll wheel (important)

Laptop specifications requirements

• Laptops must run Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10
• DirectX 9.0C compatible graphics, screen size 1280 x 768 pixels or bigger
• Laptops with ‘discrete’ video cards such as ATI or NVIDIA or late (2014+) model INTEL computers, will
perform much better than types with early (pre-2014) integrated graphics.
• 2GB RAM minimum, 100Mb free hard drive space.
• Spare USB port
• Two button mouse with centre scroll wheel (important)

A 30 day training license for VentSim™ DESIGN PREMIUM will be provided for each participant on a USB key.
The keys are yours to keep after the course and will contain numerous examples and course information.

To ensure the software can adequately run on the laptop, participants are encouraged to download and install the
latest VentSim™ DESIGN on to their laptops BEFORE the course. We will be using the latest VentSim™ DESIGN
during the course. Participants are also encouraged to ensure they have ‘administrator’ access rights on the laptop
in case additional or updated VentSim™ software needs to be installed during the course. Some companies do not
automatically allow this on corporate computers, so please check with your computer administrator first. If you can
install the above file with your own access, it should be okay.

The VentSim™ DESIGN course will frequently refer to the VentSim™ DESIGN Manual. A PDF version of the
VentSim™ DESIGN Manual is available from the USB drive or from the HELP menu in the program installation.
The manual is approximately 300 pages long. Participants are welcome to print the manual, however this is not
essential and it can be accessed electronically when required.
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4 Introduction to VentSim DESIGN

Mine ventilation is a complex field and it can be difficult to understand a ventilation network by simply looking at a 2D
drawing. It is also difficult to predict where the air will go by just looking at a 2D design. VentSim utilises a 3D model
to make it easy to understand the ventilation. VentSim software is the leading mine ventilation software, recognised
for its intuitive 3D interface and ease of use.
VentSim is an essential tool to design and optimise mine ventilation with features such as the airway size optimiser.
Good ventilation design can reduce costs and improve the safety and working conditions. Working in a cool and well-
ventilated area will improve productivity. In addition to airflow, VentSim can also simulate contaminant, heat, radon
and fire, making it an ideal tool to prevent incidents.

5 Modelling in 3D
Key Concepts

• Understanding the different display modes

• How to move / rotate the 3D model
• Fit All
• Understanding the colours and text data

Tasks

5.1 Load the demonstration model

File | Load Demonstration | Metal Mine

5.2 Zoom

1. Click on the magnifying glass in the tool bar.

2. Left click on the model to centre the screen.
3. Click left and drag to zoom around an area.
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The action selected in the toolbar will dictate the behaviour of the left click.
The other functions (middle mouse and right click) are always the same.

5.3 Moving around the model (general functions)

a. Middle Mouse button will centre the screen.

b. Scrolling to zoom in & out.
i. Zooming will always be focused on the centre of the screen.
ii. The mouse commands can be reversed in the settings
Settings>Graphics>Controls>Invert Scroll Zoom Direction.
c. Right click and drag will rotate the model
iii. The rotation will always be around the centre of the screen.

Important! - To move efficiently:

Middle click where you want to work in order to centre the screen.
Scroll the wheel to zoom in.
Right click and drag to rotate and find the best angle to work.

5.4 Fit all will place the entire model on the screen. It can be useful after zooming in or if you are lost!

a. Right click>Fit All

b. On the left menu:
c. At the bottom right:

5.5 Changing the displayed colour and text

a. The colours and text are separated in 2 categories major and minor.
a. For example, Airflow | Velocity or Heat | Temp Wet Bulb
b. The left 2 drop down are for the colours (red)
c. The right 2 drop downs are for the text (green)
d. If the link icon is set, colour an text will be changing at the same time. (black)
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5.6 Scaling

Click on the “Show Colour Legend” tool bar button to show / hide the display control panel
On the last “Scale” tab (show above) use the track bars to adjust the size of the airways, icons, databoxes, text,
etc…

Note: clicking on the icon at the bottom of the tab will reset the scale back to the system default.

6 Building a simple model

Key concepts
• Drawing airways
• Surface connection
• Fix flow fans
• Move and delete airway
• Airflow simulation
• Adjust airway sizes
• Add resistance
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Tasks

6.1 Open new model

File | New
In the setup wizard, click Next | Next | Next and Finished.
We will look at these settings in more detail later in the course during the heat simulation section.

6.2 Draw airways

a. Click on the pencil in the toolbar to enter draw mode.

b. The standard drawing function will start a new airway after finishing the previous airway.
c. To start drawing, left click and drag. To finish the airway, release the left click.
d. A new airway starts automatically. Left click to finish the airway.
e. To stop drawing, click on the last airway drawn or press escape.
f. Starting drawing from an existing airway will automatically connect them.
g. When airways are about to connect, they will be highlighted in yellow.

6.3 Prepare for simulation

What do we need to do before simulating?

Open airways to let air flow.
Add fan to create pressure difference.

Click on the spanner icon to enter edit mode.

Important: Every model must have at least two surface connections

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Click on one of the entries. In the Edit form, tick “Surface” and apply. Repeat for exhaust.

Click on the fan icon to enter fan mode.

Click on the exhaust airway to add the fan. On the Fan tab of the Edit form enter a Fixed Flow of 50m3/s. Press
Apply.
VentSim DESIGN Training Manual

Fixed Flows are an easy way to simulate a fan. However, they will always force a fixed amount of flow
independently of the rest of your model. They do not represent a real working fan but can be useful during the
design phase. Fans will be covered in a later section.

6.4 Run simulation

a. Simulation successful: all good!

b. Simulation successful with warnings. This means that the simulation was completed, and the results are now
displayed however some parts of the model require your attention.
i. The most common warning is “No entry/exit connection”. This means that the airway is either not
connected or not set as surface or not set as closed.
ii. Check that your surfaces are properly set, a sun icon will show on the airway if they are.
iii. Check that airways are properly connected. Click on the green arrow in the tool bar to enter the move
function. Then left click and drag to connect the airway.
c. What will make the airflow go more one way than the other?
i. Different resistance.

P = RQ2.
Atkinsons resistance: The pressure difference between inlet and outlet of an airway is equal to the airway
resistance times the airflow quantity squared.
VentSim uses this equation and the mass flow conservation to solve the network for flow and pressure

It is crucial to have correct resistances through the model for an accurate simulation.

ii. The resistance of an airway depends on which factors?

• Size (area and perimeter)
• Length
• Friction factor (Atkinson’s friction factor)
• Additional resistance (door, obstacle)
• Density
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6.5 Change airway parameters

a. How to force flow to one side?

i. Increase resistance where less flow is required.
ii. Decrease resistance where more flow is required.
iii. Also, possible to increase pressure using a booster fan.
b. Click on the edit tool. Click on an airway. Increase the width to 20m, apply and simulate. Airflow in airway
increases.
c. Click on another airway, change the resistance to concrete wall, apply and simulate. Airflow is now close to 0.
However, there is always some leakage going through the door.

6.6 Draw vertically

a. To draw vertically, go to the draw menu.

b. If you click where you want the start of the airway to be a coordinate will open. There you can enter a Z offset
of 50 to draw a vertical 50m shaft going up from where you clicked.

c. Alternatively: Click and drag while the alt key is down to draw vertically freely.
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7 Importing from DXF File

Key concepts
• Import DXF
• Convert centrelines
• Filter
• Add preset airway type
• Calculate airflow amount
• Use a Fixed Flow to restrict airflow
• Use orifice

Tasks

7.1 Create airways from DXF

a. Start a new file and skip the settings.

b. File | Import, select “Training VentSim USB/Training simulation/DXFs/TasCentreLines.dxf”.
c. To create the airways, go to the draw menu (pencil), drop down and select “Convert centrelines”. Click and
drag around the entire model to convert the
d. Run filter to ensure all the airways are connected. Tools | Filter | Run.

7.2 Preparing for simulation

a. Set the 3 shafts and the top of the decline as surface.

b. Place 200m3/s fix flow at the end of the shaft.
c. Run the simulation.
d. The simulation is successful with warnings. The warnings are “no exit or entry connection”.
This is due to not having closed all the dead ends.
e. To close all dead ends easily, in the warning box, click on “Select All” then “Edit”. Tick “close end” in the first
tab of the Edit form and apply.
f. Run the simulation again, the simulation should be successful.
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7.3 Adjust the airway sizes

a. The airways are created as square 5m by 5m, vertical tunnels are round 3m in diameter. The ramp needs to
set as arched 5.5m by 5.5m rough blasted.

b. Select the decline by clicking on the selection mode (star ). Then click on the airway forming the ramp.
c. To edit, double click on edit. To add new preset airway, click on the … button

d. In the presets, add a preset for a 5.5m by 5.5m arched rough blasted airway. And press OK.

e. Select ramp in drop down menu next to the T in the Edit Box. And Apply.
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7.4 Adjusting the airflow

a. Set the data colour to Airflow | Quantity. What can you tell about the airflow in this mine?
b. The Airflow is not spread properly through all levels. How to spread the flow through the 3 different levels?
c. Use regulators or orifices to decrease flow. Calculating the specification can be tedious, so we will use a Fixed
Flow to find the specification and then change it to the appropriate orifice or regulator.
d. Place a fix flow on the top 2 return air drives of 60m3/s. Tick the “Restrict only” option. This will show a warning
if the fixed flow requires pressure to be added to the system. Run the simulation.
e. To convert to an orifice, click on the orifice, click on the “Recommend orifice” icon.
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f. To convert to a regulator, click on “Recommend regulator”.

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8 Duct and auxiliary ventilation

Key concepts
• Create duct
• Modify duct

Tasks

8.1 Create duct

a. Select where the ducting is to be located, by clicking on the selection mode ( ).

Then click (select) the airways that will contain the ducts.
b. Select the draw drop down button from the Toolbar and click “Build duct”.
c. Set the diameter to 1.2m.
d. Set the friction factor to “Flexible duct”.
e. Set the leakage to high.
f. Click on Build Duct. And Close.

8.2 Add a fan

a. Click on the fan icon and click on the duct where the fan is going to located.
b. In the fan menu, select “Large Auxiliary fan”. And press OK.
c. Simulate
d. Note the airflow change from inlet to outlet is due to the leakage paths.
To view the leakage paths, switch to wireframe mode.

8.3 Modify duct

a. To select the duct, change to selection mode and click on one of the ducts. It will automatically select all
the ducts created at the same time. This is because the ducts are automatically grouped when first created.
VentSim DESIGN Training Manual

Airways can be grouped together by selecting them and ticking “Group” in the edit form.
This will make them easier to select all together.
Note: To select an individual airway within a group, press the CTRL key while selecting.

b. Click the spanner to edit, this will open the duct window. Enter a larger duct size and press simulate.
c. Note how the flow increases due to reduced resistance in the ducts.

9 Size optimiser
Key concepts
• Why size matters
• Understanding the different cost involved in ventilation
• Entering the cost settings
• Using the cost optimizer

Tasks

9.1 Optimising airway sizes

a. Edit the main exhaust fan , make a screenshot of the simulation results using the camera icons.
b. Select the shaft (3 airways) and enter a 5m diameter shaft and apply.
c. Simulate and open the fan edit form again.
d. Compare the power usage: note how the fan uses a lot less power.
e. Why don’t we use 10m shafts or greater all the time?
i. Expensive, the bigger the shaft, the more expensive to create.
ii. We need to find the right balance between mining cost for the shaft and the power cost for the
fan.
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VentSim DESIGN Training Manual

9.2 Settings

a. Open the settings dialog, Settings | Settings. Navigate to Costing | Power.

b. Enter the power cost at 0.15 $/kWh.
c. The mining cost can be entered here as well but we will use the cost calculator instead. Close the settings.

d. Go to Tools | Calculators | Mining Cost Calculator.

e. Enter the cost of some known mining cost per length. For example:
i. 3m = 6000$/m
ii. 4m = 10000$/m
iii. 5m = 15000$/m
f. Press calculate, this will calculate two parameters a cost per excavated volume and a fixed cost per meter. This
will be used to estimate the other intermediate shaft sizes. The check column shows how close the estimate is
from the values entered.
g. To set the new values, click to Copy to Settings.
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VentSim DESIGN Training Manual

9.3 Optimise the shaft size

a. Select the three airways that make up the main exhaust shaft, click on the spanner to edit.
a. Click on the question mark to see optimised size.
b. Click anywhere on the form to view the details.
c. Click on Accept to change the shaft to optimum size.
VentSim DESIGN Training Manual
VentSim DESIGN Training Manual

10 Fans
Key concepts
• Adding a fan to the database
• Using the fan digitizer
• Placing the fan
• Choosing the right fan

Tasks

10.1 Open fan curve

a. Open the fan curve file located in \\VentSim Training USB\Other\Fan Total Pressure – 100% Solidity.
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10.2 Add fan to the database

Go to Tools | Fans.
To add a new fan, click File | New.
Enter the fan name and variation.
Enter the density at which the fan curve was measured. Here 1.2 kg/m3.

VentSim will automatically adjust the fan curve depending on the density in the model and the curve density.

Enter the diameter. Here 3.53m. The area will be calculated automatically based on the area,

If an evase is provided, use the diameter of the evase.

If left blank VentSim will assume the fan diameter is the diameter of the airway it is placed in.

Enter the maximum power, highest point on power curve or the power rating of the motor. Here 1000kW.
Enter the amount of RPM. Here 990.
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10.3 Add fan curve using the fan digitiser

Click on fan digitiser.

Load the fan curve in File | Open Picture. The fan curve is in VentSim Training USB/Other/Fan Total Pressure
– 100% Solidity.
Define the area where the pressure curve is. Note select only the top area.
Enter the minimum and maximum flow. This refers to the area of the graph previously selected. Min = 0m3/s
and Max =350 m3/s.
Enter the minimum and maximum total pressure. This refers to the area of the graph previously selected. Min =
0 Pa and Max = 4000 Pa.
Click on Add Point. Click on the point in curve 35. If the curve is hidden behind the points, the curve is good
enough.

Note: VentSim only supports 10 points per curve.

The pressure curve is the most important curve for the simulation. However, an efficiency curve or power curve
is useful to calculate the power rating.
To add the power curve, click on the Power Tab.
Define the region where the power curve is. Note select only the bottom area.
Enter the minimum and maximum power. This refers to the area of the graph previously selected. Min = 0 kW
and Max =1000 kW.
Click on Add Point. Click on the point in curve 35.
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Before entering other curves, it is good practice to verify at least one point per curve. To do so read one point in
the curve by hand and compare with the value from the digitiser.
Example: read the first point of the first curve, flow is about 25 m 3/s and pressure just above 2200 Pa. It is
consistent with the digitiser value of 25.1 m3/s and 2217 Pa.
Repeat for the power or other curves.

So far, we have entered the curve with the blade angle at 35 degrees. To rename the curve, right click on
Curve 1 in the tab. Click rename and enter “35 degrees”.
To add another blade angle,
Click on the plus button.
Click on the Total Pressure tab. Add Point and click on the point for the next blade angle.
Click on the Power tab. Add Point and click on the point for the next blade angle.
Right click on the new curve name and rename.
Repeat for the other curves.
When all the variations are entered press OK.
Press ok in the fan form to save.
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10.4 Select the correct fan

a. Edit the fix flow.

b. The correct fan will do a flow of 200 m3s at 927 Pa of total pressure.
c. Click on the blue icon to look for a fan with this operating point in the database.
d. Select the Howden Sirocco fan and OK to use that fan.

When contacting a manufacturer about purchasing a new fan, the Collar TP should be use as they will design
the fan achieve this specific pressure for the mine. They can decrease the amount a velocity pressure estimated
by VentSim by using an evase.
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e. Simulate and VentSim will show a low-pressure warning, this means the fan is operating outside its curve. i.e.
the fan is running at low efficiency.
f. To simulate several fans in parallel, increase the number of fans and select “Parallel”. Having 2 fans in parallel
will increase the amount of flow.
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11 Contaminants
Key concepts
• Understand the contaminant simulation
• What can it be used for?
• Difference between steady state and dynamic simulation.

Tasks

11.1 Contaminants simulation, ramp fire

a. Open the file: File | Load Demonstration | Coal Mine Textured.

b. Firstly, the display is a bit crowded with DXF and background textures.
i. To hide the DXF, click on , on the left of the screen.
ii. To change the background, Settings | Settings | Graphics | Background.
Change the Background Picture to Nil.
c. We will simulate contaminants coming from the ramp, this could represent a fire on the conveyor belt for
example.

d. To place contaminant, click on the smoke icon . And click on the ramp.

e. To run the simulation, click on and select the contaminant simulation.

f. Where is it safe?
i. On left side, blue indicate no contamination.
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11.2 Contaminants simulation, fresh air shaft

Delete the current contaminant by clicking on and on the contaminant.
Click on the contaminant icon and add contaminant to the fresh air shaft.
What can cause smoke on the fresh air shaft?
i. A fire on surface.

Where is safe in the mine?

Nowhere apart from the ramp and lower level. However, the reach of this location makes it a suitable position
for stench gas for example.
To see how long it will take to reach each point, change the colour to spread time. What is the limitation of
using spread time?

The steady state simulation can only predict the amount of contaminant after an infinite amount of time and
when the contaminant will arrive at each point but cannot predict the changes in contaminant concentration.

11.3 Dynamic contaminant simulation

a. To view the change of contaminant concentration, we need to run a dynamic simulation.

b. Before running the dynamic simulation, it is important to place monitor. They will be recording the changes in
the airway over time to be visualised in a chart after simulation completed.
c. To place monitors, click on the monitor tool then click on the airways you want to monitor.
d. To run the dynamic simulation, click on drop down and select “Contaminant”.

The simulation will run for an hour by default

e. Once the simulation finished, go to the magnifying glass and click on the monitor to view the change in
contaminant at different location.
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f. Stench gas is only released for a certain amount of time and will stop after an hour.
In order to simulate this, got to edit mode, click on the contaminant, go to the contaminant tab and tick “Fixed
Rate” and enter 600 s release period.
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g. Run the simulation and view the difference in results.

11.4 Blasting simulation

a. Open model: Training Ventsim USB/Training Simulations/Example11 – Explosive.

b. Firstly, hide the DXF.
c. The goal of this exercise to simulate the re-entry time from blasting the two stopes.
And to potentially improve it.
d. To add explosives. Select the two stopes, edit, go to the contaminant tab enter the amount of explosive:
2000kg. and Apply.
e. Add a monitor to view the re-entry time. A good position to view re-entry time is the exhaust shaft.

f. Run the simulations in the dynamic simulation menu | Explosives.

g. Look at the graph. The clearing time is about 45minutes.
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i. How can the clearing time be improved?

ii. Hint: Delete the block at the outlet this will force the air from the blast

h. Now the fume clears in 7 minutes. Note the two spikes are due to having two sources, one is slightly further
than the other from the exhaust.

12 Recapitulation Exercise
Key concepts
• Review all the model building done previously.

Tasks

12.1 Add the extension

a. Open file in VentSim Training USB/Training Simulations/DXFs/ My Pajingo Model.

b. Import the extension file: VentSim Training USB/Training Simulations/DXFs/Pajingo Extension.
c. Tick “Convert to Airway Solids”. This will skip having to convert the airways later. Click Import.
d. Connect the ramp.
e. Use the select tool to select the new airways.
f. To filter, go to Tools | Filter. Start. Ok. And Close.
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12.2 Prepare for simulation

a. Set the top of the shaft to surface.

b. Add a fixed flow of 200 m3/s.
c. Run the air simulation and warnings will appear.
d. Fix warnings by doing Select All and Edit, tick “Close End” to change the airways to closed ends and Apply.
e. Run the air simulation, it should now run successfully.
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12.3 Adjust mine resistance

a. Set the ramp size to 6m by 6m arched, rough blasted.

b. To enter new preset, go to Settings | Presets Airway Types.
c. Enter the new preset.

d. To select efficiently, go to the select menu and click on “Select Segments (Any)”. When clicking on an airway it
will select all the airways linking to it until a junction.
e. Select the airways in the ramp and edit. Set as “New Ramp”.
f. At the moment, all the airflow is going at the top and no air is going to the bottom. Regulators need to be
installed on the shaft access. However, keep the bottom one open and the top one will need to be a fixed flow
regulator for now.
g. To do this fast, select where the regulator will be placed. Edit and select “Closed Regulator”.
h. Go to the top vent tunnel, add fan, enter 70 m3/s and set “Restrict Only”.

Verify that there is no leakage between the ramp and the shaft by switching to pressure and adjusting the range
to see that the pressure is consistent.
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12.4 Optimise shaft size

a. Before finding the correct fan for the system, we need to optimise the shaft size. The first step is to enter the
correct presets.
b. Go to Settings | Settings | Costing | Power and enter a Power Cost of 0.15 $/kWh.
c. Go to Mining Cost and enter:
i. Cost Shaft Fixed 2000 $/m
ii. Cost Shaft Variable 500$/m3
d. Close the settings. We know need to select all the airways in the shaft.
e. Click on select and select all the airways in the shaft.
f. Click on Edit. And click on the question mark to optimise the pipe size.
g. Accept the new size.
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12.5 Add fan

a. A fast way to look for a fan is to use the online database.

b. Edit the fix flow and click on search internet for fans.
c. Click “Search Internet Server”, click on one of the fans found and click “Add Fan”
d. Press Ok in the fan form and Ok in the edit form.
VentSim DESIGN Training Manual
VentSim DESIGN Training Manual

13 Heat simulation
Key concepts
• Importance of correct Environment Settings.
• Sensible and latent heat sources
• Treatment of different heat sources (diesel engines, electric motors, rock strata, auto-compression)
• Considerations for mine refrigeration

Tasks

13.1 Settings

a. Go to Settings | Settings | Simulation | Environment.

The elevation and surface conditions are key parameters to calculate the air density:
i. Surface Datum Elevation of Mine Grid: the elevation in VentSim of the reference point.
ii. Surface Datum Elevation Above Sea Level: the elevation compared to sea level of the reference point.
iii. Surface Datum Pressure Barometric: the atmospheric barometric pressure at the mine reference point.
iv. Air Density Compressible Flow: the air density at the mine reference point.
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v. Note: Surface Datum Elevation Above Sea Level, Pressure Barometric and Air Density Compressible
are linked, and adjusting one will cause a recalculation of the others.
vi. Surface Datum Temperature Dry Bulb and Wet Bulb: the temperature of the air at the mine reference
point, which will influence the Sigma Heat of the air entering the mine. Adjusting the temperatures will
cause a recalculation of the Air Density. If the user only has dry bulb temperature and relative humidity,
go to Tools | Calculators | Heat Calculator | Properties RH to determine the wet bulb temperature.
vii. Surface Temperature Adjust: setting this to ‘Yes’ will cause a recalculation of the temperature at the
intakes based on the intake elevation, useful for models with multiple intakes at different elevations.
b. Rock properties will be important for determining heat from the rock strata
i. Airway Age: the default airway age, representing how long ago an airway was mined. More recently
mined airways will cause more heat transfer than older ones.
ii. Current Year: airway mining dates can be specified per airway. Adjusting the Current Year will then
automatically age the airway.
iii. Geothermal gradient: represents the rate of change of the virgin rock temperature (VRT) with depth.
iv. Surface Datum Rock Temp: the VRT at the surface. This can be extrapolated from measurements
underground and the Geothermal Gradient.
v. Rock Wetness Fraction: represents the fraction of wetted rock. Enter 0.4 for an average wetness.
vi. Rock Density, Specific Heat, Thermal Conductivity, Thermal Diffusivity: these are the properties of the
rock found in the mine. There are generic data for a range of rocks available in Settings | Presets |
Rock Types.

13.2 Placing Heat Sources

a. Open the file in VentSim Training USB/Training Simulations/DXFs/ My Pajingo Model, which has been
developed earlier during the Recapitulation Exercise.
b. Select and Edit an airway at the bottom of the new section you’ve added. Select “Data Box: Heat” for the
airway, click Apply, and then run a Heat Simulation.
VentSim DESIGN Training Manual

c. Select 3 airways in the decline. Go to the Heat tab of the Edit Box and select a Truck Preset for 200kW Diesel
Engine Power (you may have to add the Truck Preset to the Heat, Moisture, Diesel Presets). Run another Heat
Simulation and observe the change in temperature in the Data Box.

13.3 Using Activity Tracks

a. Delete the Trucks you’ve added and instead add them using an Activity Track, to represent the distribution of
heat as trucks move up and down the decline.
b. First select the decline using the Path Analyzer | Shortest Horizontal, then open the Track Editor in Tools |
Activity Tracks.
c. In the Track Editor, start a new Track. Save the selected airways to the track. Select Trucks from the Heat
Preset drop down and select 3 units to represent the 3 trucks.
d. Click OK. Run a new Heat Simulation and observe the temperature at the bottom of the mine in the Data Box.
VentSim DESIGN Training Manual

13.4 Add Refrigeration

a. Select the intake airway supplying fresh air to the mine, indicated here by the red arrow.
b. In the Heat Tab of the Edit Box, add 3000kW of Refrigeration and observe the change in temperature in the
Data Box at the bottom.
c. Change the amount of refrigeration to see the effect on the mine temperature. If you want, try the Goal Seek!
Function, Tools | Goal Seek. Set the Adjust property to Refrigeration and select the intake as the adjustment
airway. Select dry bulb temperature as the target property and the airway at the bottom of the mine as the
target airway. Reduce the target dry bulb. Run the Goal Seek! and observe the results.
d. To improve the Positional Efficiency of the refrigeration, move it closer to where it’s needed, the bottom of the
mine. Remove the refrigeration that you’ve added to the intake. Then zoom in on the area defined by the red
square in the image.
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e. Add 1000 kW of refrigeration to the airway indicated in the image to the right.
f. As this refrigeration unit is located underground, add a heat source to represent the heat emitted from the
refrigeration unit. Add 1250 kW of sensible heat to the airway indicated, representing where the hot air would
be ducted to.
VentSim DESIGN Training Manual

14 VentFIRE Simulation
Key concepts
• Configuring a fire
• Setting up of Fire and Dynamic Events
• Analysing VentFIRE results

Tasks

14.1 Define a Truck fire

a. Open the AD-55 specification sheet in VentSim Training USB/Other//AD55_AEHQ6653_00.pdf

b. From the specifications, determine the mass of fuel to be burnt:

AD-55 Truck
Fuel Density [kg/m3] Volume [L] Weight [kg] Units Total [kg]
Diesel Fuel 832 960 798.72 1 799
Hydraulic Oil 800 650 520 1 520
Tyres 950 4 3800

14.2 Add a fire to Ventsim

a. Open the model VentSim Training USB/ Training Simulations/Fire/Ramp Fire.vsm.

b. Select an airway about halfway down the decline. Open the Edit Box and go to the Fire Tab.
c. Click on the ‘plus’ sign to add a Fire Event.
d. In the VentFire Events Manager, click on the Fire button to open the Fire Wizard. Alternatively, click the plus
sign to enter the Fire Events manually.
VentSim DESIGN Training Manual
VentSim DESIGN Training Manual

e. Select the Fuel Types and add the calculated mass of fuel to burn.
f. Determine a Total Fire Time.
g. Enter the Growth and Decay Periods of the fire.
h. Click on Create Fire Events, then OK on the VentFire Events Manager, then Apply on the Edit Box. An
animated fire icon should appear on the airway.

14.3 Running and analysing a VentFIRE simulation

a. Before running the VentFIRE simulation, select the Dynamic Monitor tool (as described in the earlier section on
Dynamic Contaminants) and place several dynamic monitors throughout the mine, such as in the decline
above and below the fire, in the escapeway, at the bottom of the decline.
b. Select Fire Sim in the dropdown menu under the fire icon in the Simulation Toolbar. Wait for the simulation to
finish. As it runs, you should see the fire cause the flow in the decline to reverse.
c. Using the Display mode cursor, click on the Dynamic Monitors. Analyse the variation with time of the airflow
direction and carbon monoxide (CO) levels throughout the mine.
VentSim DESIGN Training Manual

d. To try to manage the emergency scenario, select the airway that connects the air intake to the bottom of the
decline. Open the fire event manager and add a new dynamic event, by pressing the ‘plus’ sign.
e. Select a resistance, such as a door. Then choose a time for when the resistance should be added. Click OK,
then Apply on the Edit Box. This will simulate the closing of a door at the bottom of the mine as part of a
decline fire emergency response.
f. Run VentFIRE again and observe how the airflow and CO levels behave.