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Mining Publication: Refuge Alternatives Relief Valve Testing and Design with Updated Test Stand
Keywords: Limit devices Refuge chambers
Original creation date: March 2018
Authors: T Lutz, P Bissert, G Homce, J Yonkey
Peer Reviewed Journal Article - March 2018
Go to Web Page
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20051137
Min Eng 2018 Mar; 70(3):46-50
Underground refuge alternatives require an air source to supply breathable air to the occupants. This requires pressure relief valves to prevent unsafe pressures from building up within the refuge alternative. The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) mandates that pressure relief valves prevent pressure from exceeding 1.25 kPa (0.18 psi), or as specified by the manufacturer, above mine atmospheric pressure when a fan or compressor is used for the air supply. The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) tested a variety of pressure relief valves using an instrumented test fixture consisting of data acquisition equipment, a centrifugal blower, ductwork and various sensors to determine if the subject pressure relief valves meet the MSHA requirement. Relief pressures and flow characteristics, including opening pressure and flow rate, were measured for five different pressure relief valves under a variety of conditions. The subject pressure relief valves included two off-Theshelf modified check valves, two check valves used in MSHA-Approved built-in-place refuge alternatives, and a commercially available valve that was designed for a steel refuge alternative and is currently being used in some built-in-place refuge alternatives. The test results showed relief pressures ranging from 0.20 to 1.53 kPa (0.03 to 0.22 psi) and flow rates up to 19.3 m3/ min (683 scfm). As tested, some of the pressure relief valves did not meet the 1.25 kPa (0.18 psi) relief specification.
Cover image for Refuge Alternatives Relief Valve Testing and Design with Updated Test StandPeer Reviewed Journal Article - March 2018
Go to Web Page
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20051137
Min Eng 2018 Mar; 70(3):46-50
See Also
Disaster Survivability for Refuge Alternative Relief Valves
Emergency Escape and Refuge Alternatives
Evaluation and Testing of Pressure Relief Valves (PRVs) for Refuge Alternatives Subjected to Explosive Forces
How to Operate a Refuge Chamber: A Quick Start Guide
Recommendations for Refuge Chamber Operations Training
Refuge Alternatives in Underground Coal Mines
Technology News 537 - NIOSH Develops New Mine Refuge Chamber Training
Underground Mine Refuge Chamber Expectations Training: Program Development and Evaluation
When Do You Take Refuge? Decisionmaking During Mine Emergency Escape
Work-Principle Model for Predicting Toxic Fumes of Nonideal Explosives
Page last reviewed: August 30, 2018
Page last updated: August 30, 2018
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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