Basic Principal of

Airflow

Rini Novrianti Sutardjo Tui, ST, MBA, MT

Introduction on Basic Fluids Mechanics

Fluids
Free to move about
with respect to each other

Liquid takes shape

of vessel but does not
necessarily fill it.

Gas takes shape of

vessel and fills it.

Basic Principles

Conservation of Energy
Within a system, energy is neither created nor destroyed but
may be converted from one form to another.

Newtons 2nd Law

The acceleration a of an object is proportional to the force F

acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass m.

Pressure

Definition
Fluid Pressure is
the equal and
opposite force
applied by the
vessel as the
molecule
rebounds from
the boundary.

Importance
Variations and
differences in
pressure between
to points are
important in mine
ventilation
surveys.

Types of Pressure

Here absolute
pressure is not
usually considered,
rather the gauge
pressure is used.
Absolute pressure
= atmospheric
pressure + gauge
pressure

Pressure Measurement Mercury Column Barometer

The height of the column in the sealed tube,

against a vacuum, is equal to the pressure
pushing on that column

Pressure Measurement Aneroid Barometer

Pressure Measurement U-Tube Manometer

Pressure Measurement Diaphragm Type Gauge

Directly read pressure, react
quickly to temperature, do
not require precise leveling,
and are available in a wide
variety of ranges and scales

Require routine calibration.

Usually on an annual basis, or
prior to a major survey.

Bernoullis Equation
Bernoullis Equation is useful to define different types of energy
contained in a given mass of fluids.

p1

p2

z1 z 2 g

v12 v22
2

v is the fluid flow speed at a certain point in a streamline

z is the height of the point over a reference plane
g is the gravity
p is the pressure at the point
is the density of the fluid

Bernoullis Equation
Based on the principle of conservation of energy
Total Energy1 = Total Energy2 + Energy Loss
Head
static

p1

2
1

v
2g

z1

p2

Head
potential

2
2

v
2g
Head
velocity

z2

Hl
Head
loss

Mine Head
Mine head is difference of pressure which is
needed in order to provide certain amount of air
into the mine

Mine Static Head

(Mine Hs)

Mine Velocity
Head (Mine Hv)

Energy which is used to

overcome all head loss of
the flow. It includes all head
loss that happens between
input and output points of
the system.

Function of the weight of

the air contents and velocity
of the air flow.

Simple Airflow System

Principal of Airflow
Flow of fluids happens since there is different pressure occurred
between two points in a system. Energy given to have steady flow, is used to
emerge the difference of pressure and to overcome the head loss.

Shock Loss is
the loss resulted
from change of
flow or channels
diameter

Friction
Loss illustrates
the head loss in
linear flow through
channel with
constant diameter

Friction Loss
Friction Loss

Airflow
Velocity

Coarseness
of the
opening

Dimension
of the
opening

Characteris
tics of the
opening

Hl

L V2
f .
D 2g

Configu
ration of
the
opening

Hf

KPLQ 2
A3

Shock Loss
Shock loss occurs as a result of change in direction of the flow, or
in cross-section of the channel. It is an addition to friction loss and
is about 10% to 30% of head loss.

Direct Calculation
Derived from velocity head,

Hx

XH v

Equivalent Length Method

Every loss is considered as an equivalent length of a straight
wRh X
airflow channel. L
e

2 gK

Friction Factor, K
Values of K x 1010a

Type of
Airway

Irregulariti
es of
Surfaces,
Areas, and
Aligment

Straight

Sinuous or Curved

Clean
(basic
value)

Slightly
Obstruc
ted

Moderate
ly
Obstruct
ed

Slightly

Moderately

High Degree

Clean

Slightly
Obstruct
ed

Modera
tely
Obstru
cted

Clean

Slightly
Obstruct
ed

Moderat
ely
Obstruct
ed

Clean

Slightly
Obstruc
ted

Modera
tely
Obstru
cted

Smooth
lined

Minimum
Average
Maximum

10
15
20

15
20
25

25
30
35

20
25
30

25
30
35

35
40
45

25
30
35

30
35
40

40
45
50

35
40
45

40
45
50

50
55
60

Sedimen
tary rock

Minimum
Average
Maximum

30
55
70

35
60
75

45
70
85

40
65
80

45
70
85

55
80
95

45
70
85

50
75
95

60
85
100

55
80
95

60
85
100

70
95
110

Timbered

Minimum
Average
Maximum

80
95
105

85
100
110

95
110
120

90
105
115

95
110
120

105
120
130

95
110
120

100
115
125

110
125
135

105
120
130

110
125
135

120
135
145

Minimum
Average
Maximum

90
145
195

95
150
200

105
160
210

100
155
205

105
160
210

115
165
220

105
160
210

110
165
215

120
175
225

115
170
220

120
175
225

130
195
235

(5ft
centers)
Igneous
rock

Source: McElroy (1935)

K is based on standard air density (w = 0.075 lb/ft3. To convert K to

SI units (kg/m3), multiple table values by 1.855 x 106.

Formula to Determine Shock Loss Factor, X

Formula to Determine Shock Loss Factor, X

Formula to Determine Shock Loss Factor, X

Formula to Determine Shock Loss Factor, X

Source: Hartman et al (1982) App. A

Reynolds Number
Reynolds argued that comparing the inertial forces to the viscous
forces was a basis for comparing fluid systems. This relationship is
referred to as the Reynolds Number.

inertial
viscous

Inertial (kinetic) forces

v
2

Viscous forces

dv
dy

v 2 1 dy
2 dv

v2

1 L
v

vL

Re

Re

vD

Laminar and Turbulent Flows

Laminar flow

Turbulent flow

Mechanical mixing
does not occur in the
flow.

Mechanical mixing of
the fluids occurs in the
flow.

Re 2000

Re > 4000