Questions Bank

Mine Ventilation
1. Mean air temperature in a DC Shaft of 400 m deep is 28°C, Its barometric
pressure is 750mm of Hg and mean air temp. in UC shaft is 38°C, calculate:
i) Motive Column ii) N.V.P.
Ans: 12.86 m, 146.2 Pa
2. In mine an airway has a square cross-section of 3 m sides and 600m3/min of
air passing through it. The water gauge shows a pressure of 10 mm. If the
X-section of airway will increased by 3 m × 4 m and has similar
construction, and roughness and of same length. What will be the
pressure consumed for the same quantity of air flowing?
Ans: 5 mm of w.g.
GATE – 2014
3. An underground coal mine panel produces 520 tonnes per day deploying 220,
200 and 192 persons in three shifts. As per CMR 1957, the minimum
quantity of air in m3/min to be delivered at the last ventilation connection
of the panel is _____________.
Ans: 1320 to 1320
4. Match the following in the context of underground mine environment
Instrument Measuring Parameter
P. Haldane apparatus I. Humidity
Q. Godbert – Greenwald apparatus II. Air velocity
R. Hygrometer III. Mine air composition
S. Anemometer IV. Ignition point temperature

a. P – II, Q – I, R – III, S – IV
b. P – III, Q – IV, R – I, S – II
c. P – IV, Q – II, R – III, S – I
d. P – I, Q – III, R – IV, S – II
Ans: b
5. A mine airway having cross-section of 2.2m × 2.2 m and length 500 m contains
a bend. Given that the airway friction factor is 0.01 Ns2m-4, shock loss

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 factor for the bend is 0.07 and density of air is 1.2 kg/m3, the equivalent
length of the airway in m is ____________
Ans: 502 to 503
6. The resistance of two splits A and B are 0.35 NS2 m-8 and Ns2m-8 respectively.
The combined resistance of the shafts and trunk airways is 0.4 Ns2m-8. A
booster fan is planned to be installed in split A to increase the quantity
flowing through it. Assuming that the surface fan continues to operate at
a constant pressure of 1000 Pa, the critical pressure of the booster fan in
Pa is ___________
Ans: 874 to 876
7. A pitot tube is inserted in a ventilation duct with the nose facing the air flow.
A vertical U – tube manometer filled with alcohol (specific gravity 0.8) has
been for pressure measurements such that 10.2 mm is read as the total
pressure and 8.8 mm as the static pressure. Given the density of air to be
1.2 kg/m3, the air velocity at the nose of the pitot tube in m/s is ________
Ans: 4.20 to 4.35

GATE – 2013
8. Given the following

Equation/formula/law Application

(P) Bernoulli equation (1) Pressure loss in laminar flow of fluid

(q) Poiseuille equation (2) Drag loss due to regular obstructions in fluid flow
(r) Bromilow’s formula (3) Energy conservation in ideal fluid flow
(s) Stokses law (4) Terminal setting velocity of fine particles in fluid
The correct match is
a. P – 3, Q – 1, R – 2, S – 4
b. P – 1, Q – 3, R – 2, S – 4
c. P – 2, Q – 3, R – 4, S – 1
d. P – 3, Q – 1, R – 4, S – 2
Ans: a

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9. Four psychrometric processes P, Q, R and S are shown in the sychrometric.
Chart below.

These processes respectively represent

a. dehumidification, humidification, sensible heating, sensible cooling
b. sensible heating, humidification, dehumidification, sensible cooling
c. dehumidification, sensible heating, sensible cooling, humidification
d. humidification, sensible heating, dehumidification, sensible cooling
Ans: d
Common Data for Questions 10 and 11:
Pressure characteristic of a mine fan is given by P = -0.06Q2 + 400, where P is
the pressure in Pa and Q2 is the quantity in m3/s. The resistance of the mine is
0.19 Ns2/m8.
10.The mine quantity in m3
a. 160.0
b. 53.5
c. 45.9
d. 40.0
Ans: d

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11. An identical fan is installed in the mine to operate in series with the existing
fan. The new mine quantity in m3/s is
a. 75.6
b. 56.7
c. 50.8
d. 30.2
Ans: c
GATE – 2012
12. A spherical droplet of water, with density 100 kg/m3 and diameter of 1 μm,
is falling in air. The viscosity of air is 1.85 × 10-5 kg/ms. Neglecting air
density and assuming that the setting of droplet in air follows Stokes’ Law,
The setting velocity in m/s is
a. 0.98 × 10-5
b. 2.95 × 10-5
c. 8.04 × 10-5
d. 53.03 × 10-5
Ans: b
13. In a longwall panel, the main gate road is 1000 m long, 4.5 m wide and 2m
high. The gate road is to be used for airflow at the rate of 17 m3/s.
Considering a coefficient of resistance of airways of 0.01, the pressure in
Pa required to maintain the airflow in the gate road is
a. 51.83
b. 463.84
c. 875.98
d. 7885.32
Ans: a

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Statement for Linked Questions 14 & 15:
In a mine between upcast shaft and downcast shaft, two airways are connected
in parallel and their resistances are 100 Ns-2m-8 and 120 Ns-2m-8
respectively. The resistance of upcast shaft, downcast shaft and the fan
drifts are 10, 20 and 5 Ns-2m-8 respectively. The fan drift air pressure is 15
MN/m2.
14. The rate of airflow through the mine in m3/s is
a. 4.16
b. 18.26
c. 240.35
d. 333.33
Ans: 490.57 m3/sec
15. The rate of airflow through the split airway having resistance of 100 Ns-2m-8
in m3/s is
a. 0.42
b. 0.79
c. 2.19
d. 7.90
Ans: 256.46 m3/sec
GATE – 2011
16. A centrifugal fan rotating at 500 rpm delivers 70 m3/s of air. If the speed is
reduced to 200 rpm, The quantity of air delivered in m3/s will be
a. 175
b. 55
c. 28
d. 11
Ans: C

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17. Mean air temp. of a 450 m deep downcast shaft is 29°C and that of the upcast
shaft is 37°C. The height of the motive column in m is
a. 8.2
b. 9.5
c. 11.6
d. 12.8
Ans: C
18. The total pressure and the static pressure measured at a point in a
ventilation duct are 20 mm and 10 mm of water gauge respectively. If
density of air is 1.2 kg/m3, the velocity of the air in m/s is
a. 14.08
b. 12.78
c. 8.53
d. 6.24
Ans: B
19. An exhaust fan attached to an evasee of 18 m2 cross-sectional area at the
outlet circulates 150 m3/s of air at the pressure of 1000 Pa in a mine
ventilation system. The ratio of the inlet to outlet area of the evasee is 1:4
and the density of air is 1.2 kg/m3. The quantity of air circulated in the
mine in absence of evasee is 120 m3/s. The evasee efficiency in % is
a. 57.6
b. 43.2
c. 39.06
d. 37.7
Ans: a

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20. A fan circulates 24 m3/s of air at a pressure of 1200 Pa in a ventilation district.
It is intended to reduce the air quantity to 16 m3/s by placing a regulator.
Assuming the pressure remains unchanged, the size of the regulator in m2
is
a. 1.48
b. 0.74
c. 0.37
d. 0.18
Ans: b
Common Data for Questions 21 and 22:
A mine ventilation system consists of two splits A and B with resistances of 0.8
Ns2m-8 and 3.2 Ns2m-8, respectively as shown in figure. Trunk airways have
resistance of 0.2 Ns2m-8. The main mine fan is generating pressure of 500 Pa.

21. The air quantities in m3/s circulated in the splits A and B respectively are
a. 20 and 30
b. 30 and 20
c. 20 and 10
d. 40 and 10
Ans: c
22. The flows in the two splits are equalized by placing a booster fan in split B.
Assume that the fan pressure does not change after installation of the
booster fan. The size of the booster fan in Pa is
a. 749.05
b. 850.08
c. 950.02
d. 1000.50
Ans: 1052 Pa

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GATE – 2010
23. Ascensionally ventilated coal mine inclines ideally should have higher
methane layering number when compared to descensionally ventilated
inclines. The reason is
a. in ascensionally ventilated inclines density of air is higher
b. ascensionally ventilated inclines creates conditions for improved turbulent
mixing of methane layer
c. methane drainage is not practiced in ascensionally ventilated inclines
d. descenionally ventilated inclines creates conditions for improved turbulent
mixing of methane layer
Ans: d
24. The main fan operating point of a ventilation system is shown in the figure
below. If an NPV of 200 Pa assists the ventilation system, the resultant
pressure (Pa) and quantity (m3) generated by the fan respectively are

a. 500,68
b. 600,63
c. 640,55
d.400, 63
Ans:

8
Statement for linked Answer Questions 25 and 26:
Air at a density of 1.2 kg/m3 flows in a straight duct such that the velocity at
the centre is 12.5 m/s. The method factor for the velocity profile is known to
be 0.80.
25. The velocity pressure value in the duct in Pa is
a. 31
b. 47
c. 60
d. 83
Ans: c
26. The air flow encounters a symmetric expansion such that the cross-sectional
area of the duct becomes double. The static pressure value at the inlet
and outlet of the expansion are 60 Pa and 90 Pa, respectively. Neglecting
friction, the shock pressure loss on account of expansion in Pa is
a. 15
b. 22
c. 38
d. 46
Ans: a
GATE – 2009
27. Moody diagram represents resistance coefficient in terms of
a. Reynolds number and asperity ratio
b. viscocity and aspect ratio
c. surface tension and viscosity
d. Reynolds number and surface tension
Ans: a

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28. Air flows at 2 m3/s through a forcing fan duct of 0.3 m2 having uniform cross-
section. The Duct resistance is 40 Ns2m-8 and air density is 1.2 kg/m3. The
total pressure generated by the fan is Pa is
a. 186.7
b. 160
c. 133.3
d. 26.7
Ans: a
29. Two splits A and B are ventilated from an intake airway. Resistance of the
splits are 0.5 Ns2 m-8 and 0.8 Ns2m-8 respectively. A regular is placed in
split B to maintain a flow of 15 m3/s and 10 m3/s in splits A and B
respectively, as shown in the figure. The size of the regulator in m2 is

a. 2.10
b. 1.30
c. 1.20
d. 1.13
Ans: a
Statement for Linked Questions 30 and 31:
A fan running at a speed of 280 rpm circulates 105 m3/s of air in a mine.
30. If the power input to the motor for driving the fan is recorded to be 75 kW,
with the combined efficiency of fan and motor at 70%, the fan pressure in
Pa is

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a. 50
b. 350
c. 500
d. 650
Ans: c
31. If the fan pressure is to be increased by 200 Pa by changing the fan speed,
the fan speed in rpm will become
a. 768
b. 549
c. 392
d. 332
Ans: d
GATE – 2008
32. Effective temperature is estimated from
a. Wet bulb temperature, relative humidity and air velocity
b. Dry bulb temperature, relative humidity and air velocity
c. Dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature and air velocity
d. Dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature and relative humidity
Ans: c
33. Pressure-quantity characteristics of a mine fan is given below:

1
Pressure

Quantity 1

The combined characteristics of two such identical fan installed in parallel is

11
Ans: a
34. A confined aquifer of 75 m thickness has 2 monitoring wells spaced 2500 m
apart along the direction of water flow. The hydraulic conductivity of the
aquifer is 40 m per day. The water head difference between the wells is
1.5 m. applying the Darcy law’s, the rate of flow per minute of distance
perpendicular to the direction of flow in m3/day is
a. 2.1
b. 1.8
c. 1.45
d. 1.2
Ans: b
Statement for linked answer questions 35 and 36: A loco of mass 10000 kg has
a coefficient of adhesion to the tracks as 0.25. the offers a rolling
resistance equal to 10% of its weight.
35.The draw-bar-pull generated by the loco on a level ground in KN is
a. 11.3
b. 14.7
c. 15.8
d. 17.2
Ans. b

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36.The draw-bar-pull generated by the loco when the upward gradient of the
track is 5° in kN is
a. 6.16
b. 7.9
c. 9.5
d. 1.5
Ans. a
GATE – 2016
37. At the inlet of a mine roadway, the dry and wet bulb temperatures of air are
38℃ and 29℃, respectively. At the outlet, the corresponding
temperatures are 32℃ and 29℃, respectively. The process of heat
transfer in the airway is described as
a. evaporative cooling
b. sensible cooling
c. sensible heating
d. dehumidification
Ans: a
38. Underground coal mines are in principle ventilated by exhausting system, so
that
a. spontaneous heating risk is reduced
b. fumes can be quickly removed in case of an underground fire
c. build – up of methane concentration is decreased
d. cool and fresh intake air can enter underground
Ans: c
39. Identify the WRONG statement.
Pit bottom air lock
a. prevents the short circuiting of air when the flow is reversed in coal mines
b. has at least three doors

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c. has at least one door that has provision for latching
d. all doors are in principle designed to open towards high pressure side of the
air
Ans: c
40. A U – tube manometer is subjected to differential pressure as shown. If
specific gravity of kerosene is 0.8, the value of (P1 – P2), In Pa, is
____________.

Ans: - 960 to – 930

41. An air stream having an enthalpy of 100 kJ/kgda, is flowing at 20 kgda/s. It is
cooled by water at temperature 10°C circulating in a cooling coil at a flow
rate of 10.0 l/s. If the return temperature of water is 20°C, the enthalpy
of the cooled air, in kJ/kgda, is ___________.(Specific heat of water: 4.18
kJ kg °C; kgda: kg of dry air).
Ans: 78 to 80
42. The static pressure characteristic of a mine fan is as shown. If the mine
resistance is 0.3 Ns2 m8, the quantity generated by the fan, in m3 s, is
_______.

Ans: 43 to 44

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43. In the context of ventilation plan symbols, match the following:

a. P-3, Q-4, R-2, S-1

b. P-2, Q-3, R-1, S-4
c. P-1, Q-3, R-4, S-2
d. P-3, Q-2, R-1, S-4
Ans: a
GATE – 2017
44. A 20 m thick and 30 m wide confined aquifer has two monitoring wells
spaced 500 m apart along the direction of the ground water flow . The
difference in water level between the wells is 2 m. The hydraulic
conductivity is 50 m/day. The rate of flow in m3 / sec is
A. 4
B. 12
C. 40
D. 120
Ans. D
45. In a mine 200 and 250 persons are deployed in the panels A and B (Shown in
the figure) respectively in the largest shift. The panel produces 400 and
500 tonnes per day respectively. The resistance of panel A and B are 0.3
Ns2m-8 and 0.4 N s2 m-8 respect5ively and the combined resistance of
shaft and airways is 0.5 N S2m-8. The operating static pressure in Pa to
provide the minimum air quantities in the panels as per CMR 1957 is
________________

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Ans. 1185 To 1189.
46. In an auxiliary ventilation system a fan is installed inside a 100 m long and
600 mm diameter duct to ventilate a blind heading face. The frictional
coefficient of the duct is 0.0066 Ns2m-4 and the static pressure
characteristic of the fan is represented by:
Ps = 5Q2 – 250Q + 1000
Where, Ps is in Pa and Q is in m3/s. The quantity of air delivered by the fan in
m3/s is _____________.
Ans: 2.5 to 2.8
GATE – 2018
47. Considering ‘I’ as ‘intake’ and ‘R’ as ‘return’, the ventilation symbol for the
shaft-bottom airlock in a coal mine is

Ans. A
48. A panel in coal mine produces 400 tonne per day. The number of persons
employed in each of the three shifts is 110, 130 and 120. As per CMR, the
minimum quantity of air that needs to be circulated at the last
ventilation connection of the panel in m3/min is

16
a. 780
b. 900
c. 1000
d. 2400
Ans. c
49. A portion of a ventilation system has two splits as shown. Split ‘A’ has a
resistance of 0.2 Ns2/m8 and a regulator of size 2.0 m2. The resistance
of split ‘B’ in Ns2/m8 is _____________

Ans. 0.24 to 0.28

GATE – 2019
50. The correct sequence of attachments between the winding rope and the
cage in a drum winding system is
a. Triangular plate → Rope capel → Bull chain →Detaching hook → Cage chain
b. Rope capel → Bull chain → Triangular plate → Detaching hook → Cage chain
c. Detaching hook → Rope capel → Bull chain → Cage chain → Triangular plate
d. Rope capel → Detaching hook → Bull chain → Triangular plate → Cage chain
Ans. d
51. A set of tubs is pulled by a 15 tonne diesel locomotive at a gradient of 1 in
100 with an acceleration of 0.05 m/s2.The coefficient of adhesion
between the wheel and the track is 0.2 and the frictional resistance
coefficient is 0.01. The maximum mass, in tonne, the locomotive can pull
(rounded off to one decimal place) is ____________.
Ans: 104.52 tn

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52. Three equipment A, B and C located side by side and operating
simultaneously produce a sound power level of 77.5 dB. The sound power
levels of A and B are 68 dB and 70 dB respectively. The sound power
level of C (rounded off to one decimal place) in dB, is _________.
Ans. 76.01 dB
53. Two points A and B are located 150 m apart in the East-West orientation on
the bank of a river as shown in the figure. Considering a station C on the
north bank the bearings of AC and BC are observed to be 42° and 335°,
respectively. The width of the river, in m, (rounded off to two decimal
places) is _______________.

Ans. 95.12 m
GATE – 2020
54. The code for the lowest category of mineral resources under United Nations
Framework Classification (UNFC) system is
a. 444
b. 123
c. 334
d. 111
Ans. c
55. A standard pitot – static tube placed at the centre of a 400 mm diameter
circular duct records a velocity pressure of 250 Pa. Calculate the quantity
of air flowing through the duct if the air temperature is 303 K and
barometer reads 108 kPa. Assuming air to be dry and the method factor
to be equal to 0.85.
Ans: 2.14 m3/ s

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56. A sealed-off area air sample consists of 16.0% O2, 3.0% CO2, and the rest is
N2. Assume that the standard composition of atmospheric air is 21.0%
O2 and 79.0% N2. The percentage of blackdamp in the air sample is
__________ (round off to 2 decimal places).
Ans. 23.8
57. The following figure represents the observations from the level survey of an
underground gallery.

If the reduced level of station A is 100.0 m, the reduced level of station D in m is

___________ (round off to 1 decimal place)
Ans. 100.5m
EXERCISE
58. A retreating longwall face is to produce 200 te of coal per day from a degree
III gassy mine having a gas emission of 15 m3/te. If the percentage of gas
in the return and the velocity of air in the gate roads should not exceed
0.5% and 4 m/s respectively, calculate the total minimum number of gate
roads of 4 m × 2.5 m cross section to be driven for the development of
longwall panel.
Ans: 2
59. A fan running at 200 rpm develops a pressure of 50 mm water gause. The
fan speed is increased to 300 rpm. What will be the new watergause
developed.
Ans: 112.50 mm
60. The average temperature in upcast and downcast shaft in a mine are 40℃
and 30℃ respectively. The shafts are 300 m deep. What will be the motive
column of air (downcast shaft air) causing natural ventilation.
Ans: 9.83 m

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61. A total flow of 85 m3/s of air is allowed to distribute itself according to the
natural splitting among the following four parallel splits each having the
coefficient of friction
K = 0.0098 NS2M-4
Split Cross section (m2) Length (m)
A 1.5 × 6 610
B 2×5 450
C 2×4 380
D 2 × 5.5 580

What will be the distribution of air in the four splits.

Ans: 17, 24, 20.24, 23
62. A fan running at 300 rad/s in mine has a total resistance of 1.1 NS 2 m8. The
fan characteristics at this speed is given by the relationship
P = 0.1 Q2 – 35 Q + 2100
where P is pressure in Pa and Q is quantity in m3/s. It is desired to send an
air quantity of 40 m3/s by adjusting the speed of fan. Find the required
percentage change in fan speed.
Ans: 26%
63. 10 m3/s of air is required to be sent through each of two parallel splits x and
y of resistances 2.2 NS2m-8 and 5.0 NS2m8, respectively. The size of the
regulator in split x will be what?
Ans: 0.717 m2
64. A standard pitot –static tube placed at the centre of a 300 mm diameter
circular duct records Q velocity of 200 Pa. Assuming the air density of 1.24
kg/m3 and the method factor of 0.84, find the quantity of air flowing
through the duct in m3/s.
Ans: 1.07
65. For the same roadway roughness, area, length and velocity conditions the
ratio of resistances of square roadway to that of a rectangular roadway
having width: height as 2: 1 is _________?
2√2
Ans:
3

20
66. Samples of air collected in the intake and return gate of an advancing
longwall face show 0.25% and 0.75% CH4 respectively. The panel has a
production of 400 t in an 8 hour shift when an air quantity of 18 m3/s
passes through it then find out the methane emission in m3/tone of coal
mined.
Ans: 6.48 m3/tonne
67. A single main fan in a mine delivers 40 m3/s of air at a pressure of 560 Pa.
The fan is proposed to be replaced by a new one having characteristics
P = 0.1 Q2 – 37.5 Q + 2500
where P is pressure in Pa and Q the quantity in m3/s. What is the operating
point, once the new fan is installed?
Ans: 875, 50 m3/s
68. A fan drift of size 4.0 m × 3.0 m, having an air flow of 60 m3/s experiences a
shock loss of 15 Pa. Find the shock factor for the drift taking air density to
be 1.2 kg/m3.
Ans: 1
69. The fan pressure of mine is 1000 Pa whereas the mine equivalent orifice is
2.0 m2. The fan pressure is increased such that at the new conditions the
fan generates pressure of 1200 Pa. If the fan efficiency is 0.7 determine
the fan quantity and input power for the new speed conditions.
Ans: 99 KW
70. A pressure drop of 50 Pa is noticed over a square roadway of 100 m length.
For a circular roadway having the same flow rate, velocity and roadway
characteristics find the corresponding length to experience the same
pressure drop.
Ans: 112.84
71. 10,000 m3 mine air per minute is supplied to two splits of equal length. For
a circular roadway having cross section of 3.0 × 3.0 m and 3.0 × 4.0 m
respectively. Find out the flow of air in each split.
Ans: 112.84

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72. 10,000 m3 mine air per minute is supplied to two splits of equal length and
surface characteristics, having cross section of 3.0 × 3.0 m and 3.0 × 4.0 m
respectively. Find out the flow of air in each split.
Ans: 5915 m3/min
73. A total quantity 30 m3/sec. of air is entering a mine when the surface fan
pressure is 100 mmwg. The Total quantity is dividing into two splits ‘A’
and ‘B’ in parallel with a pressure drop of 40 mmwg across them, with ‘A’
split getting 20 m3/sec and the ‘B’ split 10 m3/sec. The quantity in A split
is to be reduced to 10 m3/sec. by installing a regulator. Calculate the
quantity in split ‘B’ after the installation of the regulator and also the size
of the regulator and also the size of the regulator. Assume the fan
pressure to remain constant.
Ans: 12 m3/sec, 0.5
74. A fan ventilating a roadway by 600 mm diameter duct circulates 4 m3/sec of
air at the face. Calculate the heat added to the air by the fan. The power
input of the fan is 2.9 kW and the density of air is 1.2 kg/m3.
Ans: 2.419 kW
75. Calculate the density of air at a barometric pressure of 101.325 kPa and the
dry and wet – bulb temperature are 299 K and 296 K respectively.
Saturated vapour pressure is 2.0803 kPa. Also calculate mixing ratio,
specific humidity and absolute humidity.
Ans: 18.82 g/m3
76. The dry and wet bulb temperatures recorded in a mine are as follows:
D.C. (pit bottom) U.C. (pit bottom)
Dry Wet Dry Wet
33℃ 30℃ 35.2℃ 34℃
The quantity of air circulating is 6000 m3/min. The water content of
saturated air at normal atmospheric pressure is given at 33℃ is 35 g/m3
and at 35.2℃ is 38.5 g/m3. Calculate the amount of water carried out by
ventilating air from the mine per day
Ans: 65.80 te

22
77. Air at dry bulb temperature of 27℃ enters a 1200 m deep shaft. The specific
heat of air – water vapour mixture is 1.03 kJ/kg - ℃. If the air goes through
constant moisture adiabatic auto compression, find the air temperature
at the bottom of the shaft.
Ans: 38. 43℃
78. Dry air enters stope at a mass flow rate of 20 kg/s. The machine working in
the stope add 50 W of sensible heat and 100 kW of latent heat. The
average latent heat of evaporation of water is 2500 kJ/kg. Find the
increase in the mixing ratio.
Ans: 0.002
79. Air of 20.8% oxygen concentration enters a coal mine panel at 20 m3/s and
exits with 20.6%. The oxygen depletion is due to oxidation of carbon in
spontaneous heating process only, assuming the density of oxygen as 1.3
kg/m3 and the calorific value of carbon as 34 MJ/kg. Calculate the heat
generated from the panel due to spontaneous oxidation.
Ans: 1768 kW
80. A Pump chamber has four large pumps, each of water power of 940 kW and
input power of 1010 kW. 18 m3/s of air at 305.5 K dry bulb, 300.5 K wet
bulb temperatures and 102 kPa barometric pressure enters the chamber
to ventilate it. Calculate the air temperature at the outlet. The vapour
pressure at 305.5 K dry bulb temperature and 300.5 K wet bulb
temperature is 3.3 kPa. The Cp of air is 1005 J/Kg/K.
Ans: 318.97 K
81. A balanced double drum internal hoist a load of 10 te from a depth of 280
m every 2.3 minutes. Friction in the shaft can be taken as 10% of the
weight hoisted. The average power input to the hoist motor being 406.5
kW, Calculate the heat added in the shaft and in the hoist chamber.
Ans: 187.78 kW

23
82. Coal measure rocks in an area comprise almost flat beds of sandstone and
shales occurring in the ratio of 1:0.8. Estimate the average geothermal
gradient in the area taking average thermal conductivity of sandstone as
22.2 × 10-4 kW/m/K and that of shale as 13.7 × 10-4 kW/m/k. Also estimate
the virgin rock temperature at a depth of 680 m given the constant surface
temperature at 295 K.
Ans: 313 K or 40℃.
83. Calculate (a) vapour pressure, (b) Mixing ratio, (c) Relative humidity, (d)
density and (e) Specific volume at 307.5 K dry bulb temperature and 301.0
K wet – bulb temperature at a barometric pressure of 101.33 kPa. The
saturated vapour pressure at 301 K wet bulb temperature is 3.751 kPa.
Ans: (a) 3.316 kPa, (b) 21.05 g/kg of dry air, (c) 61.07%, (d) 1.133 kg/m3 & (e) 0.9
m3/kg .
84. 4.5 m3/s of air at 307.5 K dry – bulb and 301 K wet –bulb temperature and
barometer of 107.5 kPa is forced by a 8 kW fan. Calculate the rise in the
temperature of air. Given, Cp = 1005 J/kg/K, Cp of moist air is 1022.37
J/kg/K and the density of air is 1.204 kg/m3.
Ans: 1.44 K
85. Calculate the density of air at a a barometric pressure of 101.325 kPa and
the dry and wet bulb temperature of 299 K and 296 K respectively.
Saturated vapour pressure is 2.8 kPa.
Ans: 1.17 kg/m3
86. An air stream of temperature 20℃ and barometric pressure 100 kPa is found
to have an actual vapour pressure of 1.5 kPa. Calculate (a) the moisture
constant of air and (b) Relative density of air.
Ans: (a) 9.472 g/kg & (b) 64.17 %
87. A fan ventilating a roadway by a 600 mm diameter duct circulates 4 m3/s of
air at the face. Calculate the heat added to the air by the fan. The power
input of the fan is 2.9 kW.
Ans: 2419.5 W

24
88. Two LHD vehicles consumes 600 litres of diesel fuel in an 8 hours of shift.
Tests have been shown that water vapour is produced at the rate of 5
litres per litre of fuel. If the combustion efficiency is 955 and the total
calorific value of the fuel is 34 MJ/litre, calculate the sensible and latent
heat load on the stope ventilation system.
Ans: 431 kW
89. A mine produces 5 million litres of water per day, emits at an average
temperature of 42℃. In the shaft sump where the water is collected for
pumping, the temperature of water is 32℃. Determine the heat load from
the water on the mine ventilation system.
Ans: 2423 kW
90. 10 m3/s of air enters a working district in a coal mine at an oxygen content
of 21% by volume and leaves at 20.8%. Calculate the heat generated by
oxidation assuming complete combustion.
Ans: 330 kW
91. In a blasting of 2000 te of mineral the charge density of ANFO is 0.8 kg/te. It
is estimated that 20% of the blast heat will be removed within one hour
with the blasting fumes. Calculate (a) the mean value of the rate of heat
removed by the air flow during this hour and (b) If the specific heat of the
rock is 950 J/kg/℃, determine the average increase in temperature of the
rock due to blasting. The latent heat of ANFO is 3700 kJ/kg
Ans: (a) 329 kW & (b) 2.49℃
92. Fragmented ore of specific heat 900 J/kg enters the top of an ore pass at a
temperature of 35℃ and at a rate of 500 te per hour. At an elevation 200
m below, the ore is discharged onto a conveyor and reaches the shaft
bottom at a temperature of 32℃. Calculate the heat transferred from the
broken ore to the ventilation system between the top of the ore pass and
the shaft.
Ans: 647 kW
93. During suppression of dust water is supplied to a work place at rate of 100
litres per tonne of rock mined. If the water is supplied to the machine at
12℃ and leaves the distinct at 26℃, determine the cooling provided by
the service water at a mining rate of 5 te/minute.
Ans: 488.5 kW
25
94. A mine requires 10 MW of cooling. Calculate the mass flow of water involved,
(a). If the water is supplied at 3℃ and returns at 20℃
(b) If the water is supplied as ice at - 5℃ and returns at 20℃
Ans: (a) 140 kg/secor 140 litre/sec, (b) 23.4 kg/sec
95. Water at 7℃ is sprayed at a rate of 30 litres per second into an ice stope.
Calculate the maximum mass flow of air through the stope that will allow
an increase in air temperature of 20℃.
Ans: 451 m3/sec
96. A closed container with 10 kg of air at ambient pressure and specific heat
1024 J/kg ℃ is cooled from 35℃. If the removal of 200 kJ of heat resulted
in the saturation of air then find the corresponding dew point
temperature.
Ans: 15.4℃
97. An air reservoir of volume 0.2 m3 has an initial temperature of 27℃ and
pressure of 1800 kPa. After use the air pressure falls to 1200 kPa at a
temperature of 17℃. Calculate the volume of air consumed
corresponding to an air pressure of 101.3 kPa and temperature of 0℃.
Ans: 1.002 m3
98. A longwall face is being supplied with 6000 m3/min of air by a single gate
road of 4 m × 2.5 m cross- section. If another gate road of 5 m × 2 m cross
– section and same length is added in parallel to the existing gate road,
find the new quantity of air supplied to the longwall face assuming that
pressure difference across the start and end of the roads remain
unaltered. Also assume that both the gate roads have identical coefficient
of frictional resistance.
Ans: 196.36 m3/s
99. 10 m3/s of air is required to be sent through each of two parallel splits x and
y of resistances 2.2 Ns2 m-8 respectively. Find the size of regulator in the
split x.
Ans: 0.717 m2

26
100. Air enters an intake shaft at a dry bulb temperature of 30℃, flow rate 60
m3/s and density of 1.15 kg/m3. A sensible heat transfer of 100 Kw takes
place from the rock to the air in the shaft. Assuming a specific heat of 1005
J/kg℃ for the air, for the shaft depth of 500 m, calculate the dry – bulb
temperature of air at the shaft bottom.
Ans: 31.44℃
101. A ventilation system provides only 40 m3/s air at pressure of 800 Pa. a
consultant identified that the return ventilating shaft of diameter 3 m is
consuming 60% of the mine head and suggested the widening the shaft
diameter to 4 m to the full quantity. If it can be assumed that the shafdt
frictional characteristics and mine head remain unchanged, calculate the
increase in the quantity after the widening of the shaft.
Ans: 54.3 m3/s
102. 10,000 m3 mine air per minute is supplied to two splits of equal length and
surface character having cross – sections of 3 m × 3 m and 3 m × 4 m
respectively. Find out the flow of air in each split.
Ans:98.59 m3/sec
103. A vertical shaft is 400 m deep, 5 m in diameter and has wall roughness of
height 5 mm. An airflow of 150 m3/s passes at a mean density of 1.2
kg/m3. Taking the viscosity of air to be 17.9 × 10-6 N – s/m2 and ignoring
the changes in kinetic energy determine
(i) the coefficient of friction, f
(ii) The turbulent resistance, Rf
(iii) The frictional pressure drop, ∆𝑃𝑓
(iv) The work done against friction,
(v) The barometric pressure at the shaft bottom if the pressure at the shaft – top
is 100 kPa
Ans: (i) 0.0049, (ii) 0.002036 Ns2m-4, (iii) 54.91 Pa, (iv) 45.76 J/kg (v) Barometric
pressure at the shaft – bottom

27
104. At the top of a downcast shaft the barometric pressure is 100 kPa and the
air temperature is 18℃. At the shaft bottom the corresponding
measurements top is 200 m3/s. If the shaft is dry, determine
(i) The density of air at the shaft top and shaft bottom
(ii) The mass flow of air
(iii) The volume flow of air at the shaft bottom.
Ans: (i) 1.275 kg/m3, (ii) 240 kg/s , (iii) 187.7 m3/ s
105. Air enters a mine at 5℃ and leaves at 35℃. Determine the theoretical
maximum fraction of the added heat that can be used to promote the
airflow.
Ans: 9.7 %
106. An air flow of 15 m3/s to be passed through a 0.9 m fiberglass duct 200 m
long with one sharped right angled bend. From the manufacturer’s
literature the friction factor for the duct is 0.0032 kg/m3. Calculate the
total pressure to be developed by the fan and also calculate the fan
power. Assuming fan efficiency of 60% and air density 1.2 kg/m3. Shock
loss factor for entry is 1, for bend 1.2 and for exit 1.
Ans: 2649 Pa, 66.2 kW
107. The given figure illustrates the mine airways that form the part of a
ventilation network. Find the equivalent resistance of the system.

Ans: 0.548 Ns2m-8

28
108. The figure shows a simplified ventilation network served by a downcast
shaft and an upcast shaft, each passing 100 m3/s. The resistance of each
sub – surface branch is shown in the figure. A fan boosts the airflow in the
central branch to 40 m3/s. Determine the distribution of airflow and the
total pressure Pb developed by the booster fan.

Ans: 2450 Pa
109. Characteristics curves are available for a fan running at 850 rpm and passing
air of inlet density 1.2 kg/m3. Reading from the curve indicate that an
airflow of 150 m3/s, the fan pressure is 2.2 kPa and the shaft power is 440
kW. Assuming that the fan efficiency remains unchanged, calculate the
corresponding points if the fan is run at 1100 rpm in air density of 1.1
kg/m3.
Ans:874 kW
110. For the ventilation system shown, the combined resistance of the trunk
airways and the shaft is 2.2 Ns2m-8. The resistance of the split A and B are
0.5 Ns2 m-8 and 0.8 Ns2 m-8 respectively. A regulator of size 2.0 m2 is paced
in split A. Considering the fan generates a pressure of 1000 Pa, the air flow
in m3/s in split B is ___________

Ans. 10.2 to 10.8.

29
111. A mine fan running at 300 rpm delivers 150 m3/s of air at a pressure of 900
Pa. Fan and motor efficiencies are 75% and 90% respectively. If the fan
speed is reduced to 250 rpm, the saving in electric power input to motor
in kw is ________
Ans. 82 to 86.
112. A mine circulating a total air quantity of 30 m3/s has two districts A and B
connected in parallel. A quantity of 19 m3/s flows in A and the balance in
B. It is proposed to install a booster in the split B so that its quantity may
be increased to meet the demands of the workings. If the pressure across
the outbye ends of the trunk airways is 1000 Pa and that across the splits
250 Pa. Find the critical pressure of the booster fan and also the quantity
of air that would then be circulating in B and trunk airways. Assuming
pressure across trunks to remain unaltered.
Ans: 503.90 Pa
113. In a mine ventilation system, the resistance of two splits A and B are 0.5
Ns2m-8 and 2.0 Ns2m-8 respectively. Combined resistance of two shafts and trunk
roadways is 0.7 Ns2m-8. A quantity of 20 m3/s of air passes through split A .
Calculate (a) The total air quantity passing the mine and (b) Total air power of
the ventilation system.
Ans: (a) 0.923 Ns2m-8, (b) 24.9 kW
114. What is the pressure required to circulate 20 m3/s of air passed through a
mine airway 300 m long, 2.5 m high and 3 m wide? The coefficient of
friction of the airway is 0.01 Ns2m-4. Calculate the Darcy – Weisbach
resistance coefficient for the airway taking the air density at 1.2 kg/m3. It
is proposed to increase the quantity to 30 m3/s by widening the roadway.
Also calculate the volume of the rock to be stripped.
Ans: 3150 m3
115. A mine airway 2.1 m wide, 2.4 m high and 600 m long contains a normal
bend with a deflection angle of 𝜋/3 radian and a radius of curvature of 3
m. The airway passes a quantity of 9.5 m3/s. Calculate the pressure loss in
the airway as well as the resistance of the airway. Also calculate the
equivalent length of the straight airway of similar size and surface which
will cause the same pressure drop. Take k = 0.0098 Ns2m-4.
Ans: 601.7 m

30
116. A district is supplied by a main intake and a main return airway running side
by side at a distance of 30 m and interconnected at 50 m intervals. The
Stoppings in the interconnections allow some leakage so that the quantity
measured at the inbye and outbye ends of the main intake are 5m3/s and
7.5 m3/s respectively. Calculate the pressure across the main intake and
return at the outbye end if the resistance of the main intake, main return
and the working district are 7.5 Ns2m-8, 7.0 Ns2m-8 and 0.5 Ns2m-8
respectively.
Ans: 556.25 Pa
117. A fan delivers 4 m3/s of air through a 500 m long and 500 mm diameter
leakproof duct ventilating a heading. Taking the Darcy – Weisbach
resistance coefficient f of the duct to be 0.02, calculate the size of the
orifice which may be used with the duct to deliver the same quantity of
air when its length is 20 m.
Ans: 0.07 m2
118. A mine has only one district at a distance of 500 m from the bottom of the
shafts. The average size of the roadway is 4.3 m × 2.7 m and the average
velocity of air is 320 m/min. Find out the pressure difference at the pit –
bottom. The value of k is 0.001.
Ans: 17.2 Pa
119. A quantity of 3300 m3/min of air passes through an airway having cross –
section 3m × 2 m and length 500 m. What quantity would pass through it
if the cross – section has been changed to 3.5 m × 2m? Assuming pressure,
resistance and length to be remain same.
Ans: 3965 m3/min
120. An airway absorbs a ventilating pressure of 250 Pa. Calculate the saving of
power as well as in the pressure that can be achieved by enlarging the
roadway to 3 m × 2.5 m. Assuming that there is no change in the quantity
of air passing through the airway and the coefficient of friction of the
surfaces of the roadway.
Ans: 8 kW

31
121. 50 m3/s of air is passing through a stone drift 200 m long and of 3m × 3m
rectangular cross – section. If the value of k is 0.0098 Ns2m-4, calculate the
increase in the temperature due to frictional loss. Assuming the specific
heat of air to be 712 kJ/kg.
Ans: 0.265℃
122. A total airflow of 30 m3/s has been split into two airways measuring 4 m ×
2.5 m × 900 m and 4.2 m × 2.5 m × 1100 m respectively. Assuming the
airways are of same type of wall rock calculate the airflow in each split.
Ans: 14.68 m3/s
123. Three splits in parallel in similar cross section same type of roadway surface
are respectively 400 m, 900 m and 1600 m long. Calculate the quantity of
air that would flow in each split if the total quantity of flow is 200 m3/min.
Ans: 46.20 m3/s
124. Three identical splits are put first in series and then put in parallel. Calculate
the saving in energy when splits are in parallel compared to when they
are in series if the pressure across the splits remains unchanged.
Ans: 419.6%
125. 10 m3/s of air passes through a roadway 600 m long. another roadway with
similar cross –section and similar surface roughness and 800 m long is
added in parallel to it. Calculate the new (total) quantity passing through
the splits.
Ans: 18.66 m3/s
126. A mine fan having a capacity to circulate 25 m3/s of air in a mine at a
pressure of 500 Pa is to be assisted by a booster fan. The mine consists of
two splits A and B, A circulates 10 m3/s. It is intended to increase the
quantity of flow in the split B to 15 m3/s by installing a booster fan,
Calculate the size of the booster fan (in terms of Pa) if the resistance of
the shaft and trunk airway is 0.04 Ns2m-8. The main fan pressure after the
installation of booster remains unchanged.
Ans: 604.75 Pa

32
127. The quantity of air going down a D.C. shaft is 900 m3/min. The surface main
ventilator develops the pressure of 500 Pa. When the fan is stopped the
air going down the shaft is 300 m3/min. calculate the natural ventilation
pressure (NVP) which assists the fan ventilation.
Ans: 62.5 Pa
128. A D.C. shaft is 465 m and the average temperature of the down going air is
30℃. The upcast shaft has equal depth but the average temperature of
air in it is 37℃. Determine the power developed due to the difference in
the temperature of the two shafts as air passing through the D.C. shaft is
100 m3/sec. Assuming the average barometric pressure in the D.C. shaft
to be 750 mm of w.g.
Ans: 11.84 kW.
129. Calculate the natural ventilation pressure (NVP) in a mine given the
following data:
Depth of mine – 300 m, Pit – bottom barometer reading – 101.27 kPa
Pit – top barometer reading – 98.10 kPa
Average temperature in the D.C. shaft – 304 K
Average temperature in the U.C. shaft – 307 K
Ans: 32.81 kPa
130. The following are the readings of the fan drift pressures and quantities with
the fan running at two different speed. Calculate the natural ventilation
pressure (NVP).
Fan drift pressure at a speed of 31.4 rad/s – 650 Pa
Fan drift pressure at a speed of 34.5 rad/s – 715 Pa
Fan drift quantity at a speed of 31.4 rad/s – 84.8 m3/s
Fan drift pressure at a speed of 34.5 rad/s – 88.3 m3/s
Ans: 121.51 Pa

33
131. A fan circulates 150 m3/s of air through a mine at a fan drift pressure of
1.50 kPa. The flow through the mine reduces to 50 m3/s after the
stoppage of fan. Calculate the natural ventilation pressure (NVP) which
assists the fan ventilation.
Ans: 187.50 Pa
132. In order to estimate the NVP in a mine measurements are made at the
main fan as shown below:
Fan speed (RPM) Fan drift pressure (Pa) Fan quantity (m3/s)
800 655 82.2
950 730 85.5
Determine the NVP.
Ans: 260. 4 Pa
133. At a fan pressure of 450 Pa, 50 m3/s of air flows through a mine. When fan
stops 10 m3/s of air still flows in the same direction. The mine resistance.
Ans: 0.1875 Ns2m-8
134. In a straight duct of length 200 m a fan operates 50 m away from the inlet
such that the mean air velocity in the duct is 8 m/sec at a density of 1.1
kg/m3. The friction pressure loss per m length of the duct is 3.0 Pa and the
entry shock factor is 1.2. Calculate
(a) The total pressure at the outlet of the duct
(b) The total pressure at the inlet of the fan
(c) The total pressure generated by the fan
Ans: (a) 35.2, (b) – 192.24 Pa, (c) 677.44 Pa
135. A 4m by 3m rectangular tunnel is 450 m long and contains one right angled
bend with a centre line radius of curvature 2.5m. The airway is inclined
but good in condition with major irregularities trimmed from the sides. If
the tunnel is to pass 60 m3/s of air at a mean density of 1.1 kg/m3 and
coefficient of friction 0.012, calculate the total pressure of the flow and
the total resistance of the mine.
Ans: 154.44 Pa

34
136. In a coal mine district a ventilation pressure of 1000 Pa is circulating a
quantity of 20 m3/s in a district. The flow is to be reduced to 14 m3/s due
to installation of a regulator. Assuming the ventilation pressure to remain
unchanged, calculate the resistance of the district and the area of the
regulator.
Ans: 0.738 m2
137. The fan drift pressure readings and fan quantities are measured to be 500
Pa and 65 m3/s respectively at the time when NVP aids fan pressure. Or
reversal the fan delivers a quantity of 50 m3/s while acting against NVP
with fan drift pressure of 600 Pa. Assuming that the NVP remains constant
in both cases, calculate the total resistance and NVP of the mine.
Ans: 0.1635 Ns3m-8
138. Two lamps of 32 candle power and 8 candler power respectively are placed
2 m apart. Where a screen should be placed in order that it may be equally
illuminated by the lamps? When
(i) Both the source lie on the same side of the screen
(ii) The screen lies in between the sources.

Ans: (i) 2 m (ii) 2/3 m

139. The impeller of a backward bladed centrifugal fan has a diameter of 2500
mm and a width of 1200 mm at the outlet. Calculate the maximum
theoretical head the fan will develop when rotating at a speed of 280 rpm.
What will be theoretical head developed by the fan when circulating 50
m3/s of air if the outlet vane angle is 1.13 radian? What will be the
maximum theoretical capacity of the fan?
Ans: 731.7 m3/s

35
140. The quantity of air flowing through a split is 25 m3/s when the ventilating
pressure across the split is 600 Pa. Determine how the quantity of air
flowing in the district would be affected on the installation of a regulator
of open area 1 m2 in the return airway.
Ans: 36.76%
141. Calculate the equivalent orifice of a mine circulating 100 m3/s of air at a
pressure of 650 Pa. Also find out the resistance of the mine.
Ans: 0.065 Ns2m-8
142. A fan motor is 20% overloaded when the fan passes 100 m3/s at 750 Pa.
Calculate the area of regulator which should be installed to take off the
overload. Assuming fan pressure to be remained same.
Ans: 6.60 m2
143. Two splits A and B pass 15 and 20 m3/s of air respectively with a pressure
drop of 500 Pa across them. The trunk airway consumes a pressure of 300
Pa. Calculate the size of the regulator required to equalize the flow of air
in the two splits. Determine the flow of air through the mine after the
installation of a regulator assuming the fan pressure remains same.
Ans: 31.61 m3/s
144. In a mine ventilation circuit, there are two ventilation splits A and B. Split A
draws air quantity twice that of split B. Resistance of split B is exactly same
as that of shaft and trunk airways. A regulator has been installed in the
split A to make the quantity of air flowing in both the splits to be equal.
Calculate the saving in power and the percentage increase in the quantity
through the split B.
Ans: 41.4%
145. A mine consists of two splits A and B. The quantities of air flowing through
the splits are 10 and 15 m3/s respectively with a fan generating pressure
of 500 Pa. It is intended to increase the flow of air in the split A to 15 m3/s
by installing a booster in the split A. Calculate the size of booster fan. The
resistance of the shaft and trunk airway is 0.2 Ns2m-8.
Ans: 7.68 kW
146. If 20,000 m3/min. of air is circulated in a mine with fan pressure of 690 Pa,
what is the power of the fan? What would be the parameters of quantity,
pressure and power of the fan if the speed of the drive is increased by
20%?
Ans: 397.44 kW

36
147. If 100 m3/s of air is circulated in a mine with fan pressure of 600 Pa,
calculate the power of the ventilation. What will be the power of the fan
if the fan pressure is increased to 750 Pa?
Ans: 75 kW

148. A 4.5 diameter backward bladed centrifugal fan delivers 150 m3/s of air
when running at 360 rpm. If the blade angle is 300 and the width of
periphery is 1.2 m, calculate the theoretical head developed by the fan. If
the actual head developed by the fan is 300 mm of w.g., calculate the
manometric efficiency of the fan.
Ans: 41.60%

149. The evasee chimney of a fan has an area of 3 m2 at the base and 12 m2 at
the outlet. Calculate the saving of pressure and of power due to the
chimney when the output of the fan is 100 m3/s. Assume air density to be
1.2 kg/m3 and evasee efficiency as 50%.
Ans: 31.25 kW

150. A 2100 mm diameter exhaust fan is fitted with an evasee having an outlet
to inlet area ratio of 3.5:1. Calculate the pressure recovery in the evasee
for a flow of 120 m3/s through the fan taking the evasee efficiency to be
70%. Assume air density as 1.2 kg/m3. Also find the saving in electrical
energy effected due to installation of the evasee assuming overall fan and
motor efficiency of 64%. What is the required static pressure if the mine
has a resistance of 0.083 Ns2m-8?
Ans: 732 Pa

37