GB453681A - Improvements in mine cooling by compression and expansion of air - Google Patents

Abstract

453,681. Refrigerating; cooling air in mines. MAUSS, W., 158, End Street, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa. Nov. 13, 1935, No. 31373. [Class 29] Cold air systems.- In a system for supplying cold air to mine workings a part of the compressed-air from a plant 21, 20 at the surface, delivered for power purposes through a main 11, is expanded in stage expansion motors 22, 26 serving to drive a compressor 5 of a local cooling plant for the atmosphere at the working faces, the heat of compression of the local air being removed by a cooler 15, after which this cooled air is mixed at 19 with the surface compressed air and expanded with it, the coldexpanded mixture being discharged at 27 to the mine atmosphere. Moisture from the mine air is condensed out during the expansion and collected in a separator 23, from which it is supplied to the cooler 15. The cooler 15 constitutes a steam generator, supplied with make-up water from a supply 25, and the compressor 5 is provided with a water jacket 12 connected with the water space 14 of the steam generator. The steam is led away at 16 to an upcast shaft 17, thus eliminating moisture from the atmosphere at the working faces. The local plant may be mounted on a trolley 29 on a mine track 30.