Behavior in air leakage and recirculation under the influence of booster fans

A booster fan is an underground mechanical ventilation equipment installed in series with a main surface fan that is used to boost the air pressure provided by the surface main fan passing through it. As mining continues to expand and go deeper, the need for improved and efficient ventilation increases. This has led to the use of booster fans and other auxiliary ventilation devices in underground mines. Research defining how system leakage and recirculation are affected by booster fans; describing how system leakage and recirculation are affected by the location, placement, and amount of air pressure from the booster fans; and identifying the relationships between booster fans and main surface fans in ventilation systems that are consistent with U.S. mining conventions is presented in this study.;The objective of this thesis is to quantify and investigate the amount and behavior of ventilation leakage and recirculation that results from increased air pressure as a result of booster fan use. An airflow quantity survey and pressure differentials across stoppings were measured to investigate this behavior. The computer simulation program Ventsim Visual was used to simulate this investigation as a tool of enhancing the results obtained.;Observations were made which lead to the conclusion from the experimental analysis and computer simulation that booster fans affect the behavior of leakage and recirculation. The locations of the booster fan and the blade angle setting have the most effect on leakage and recirculation. To limit the potential for system leakage and recirculation, the location and size of a booster fan in a ventilation system should be thoroughly evaluated.