Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-03-08
1Comnlunicated.]
Ventilation.
PuMpEY SMASH, MARCH 4, 1873

Mr.. EDITOR entilation consists
of two operations-the removal of
the foul air, and the introduction
of fresh. Neither operation can 60 on
without the other proceeding at the
same time. The agents employed in
removing air from apartments are
chiefly two: that by which ma
ture effects the ventilation of the
earth on grand scale-namely the
draught of ascending currents produ-
ced by a difference of temperature,
and mechanical force, such as pump
ing. Where fire is burnt for the
purpose of producing current of air
it is called ventilation by fire draught.
The plan has been exemplltied with
great success in the mines Of Britain,
where fire being lighted at the bot
tom of the shaft, the foul air is drawn
off in all directions and sent up the
shaft, to replace which fresh air is
constantly pouring down other shafts.
The great object is to keep the foul
air from intermingling with the fresh.
There ought to be passage from the
bottom of the shaft where the fresh
air is pouring down, conducting it in
it's pure state to where the miners
are working also passage to the
bottom of the shaft where the fire is,
to draw off the foul air. This
draught can be had at all times by
keeping up heat at the bottom of
this shaft to the required temperature.
This tendency of air is to expand to
the utmost allowed it ; hence, great
care ought to be observed to have all
openings stopped from where the fresh
air is introduced into the mine, Air.
tight trap-doors placed at the proper
parts of the mine SO as to conduct the
air fresh to where the miners are
working. The old trap-doors made
of wood is superseded by one of iron
which is found to answer the purpose
better, not being so easily broken
The fam wheel has been used for many
years as another mode of ventilation
in mines. 1t is kept in motion by
steam power it is the same as the
barn tanners the air is drawn in at
the centre of the wheel and flies off at
the circumference by centrifugal force,
The fan is placed at the top of fue,
and when it is set on motion it draws
off all the air from every part commu-
nicating with it, but is more used in
factories than in the mines. The air
pump is another mode of ventilation
with system of pipes leading to the
air-way Of mine, fresh air may be
forced in, and the foul blown out or,
by reversing the communication of
the ventilating pumps, invented by
DR.. ARNoTT, foul air may be pump
ed out, which, of itself, will draw in
fresh air.
But of all the modes of ventilati on
/ think that of the fire. draught
is the one best adapted for our
coal mines. If proper attention is
given to it, ! know of no coal region
where miners could haze purer air
to breathe. When we consider
that about twenty cubic feet of air
passes through the lungs of man in
an hour, how essential it is to have all
mines we'll ventilated. In some of
the mines Of the county there is not
air enough to carry off the smoke from
the lamps used by the miner at
his work.
Miners Of Allegany, when all classes
are combining and consolidating for
their mutual interests, let us not for
get that we have interests at stake.
Your fellow miners, in all parts of the
new and old world, are struggling to
elevate themselves. 1t becomes us, as
part of the whole, not to lag behind,
Remember, this is the age Of steam,
and there is no class of men whose la
Dor is in such demand. The coal and
transportation companies are all look
forward to reap rich reward from
your labor. There is another class
calling themselves miners and ship
pers OF coal connected with our coal
trade whose faces are beaming at the
prospects of the coming season who
know no more about mining than a
hog knows aboat chemistry they
prove their ignorance by contemplating
rib Of splint that runs through our
vein by calling it bone, In some of
our mines the miner is locked one
ton per Car il he sends it out, when
the said bone will burn to pure white
ashes. ! am happy to say that dock :
ing for bone is played out of late
years at mines on Georges Creek.
Other grievances that we labor I'M
der shall take u p in future letter
tellow-miners to have our griev-
apces redressed we must become uni
ted and take our stand with our fell
low-men for the rights of labour-
the great question of the age.
Yours, q '" VENTlLAToR.