πΉ 1. Legal Basis
- CMR 2017, Regulation 153(1):
Mine management must provide adequate ventilation to: - Clear smoke, steam & dust
- Dilute inflammable/noxious gases
- Supply sufficient oxygen
- Control temperature & humidity for health and safety
- Existing Norms (Reg. 153(2)(a), CMR 2017):
Ventilation district must have: - β₯ 6 mΒ³/min air per person employed in largest shift OR
- β₯ 2.5 mΒ³/min air per tonne of daily output
- Whichever is higher, measured at Last Ventilation Connection (LVC)
β οΈ
Problem: In Mass Production Panels (MPP), high daily output requires very large air quantity β causes:
- Excessive dust
- High ventilator water gauge (pressure)
- Risk of spontaneous heating
πΉ 2. R&D Study (CMPDIL Ranchi) - Project: Requirement of Air in Mass Production Technology
- Data from:
- 1 development & 2 depillaring Continuous Miner (CM) panels
- 2 Longwall (PSLW) panels
- Parameters analyzed: humidity, dust, gases, temperature rise
- Recommended new ventilation criteria
πΉ 3. Recommendations A. Continuous Miner (CM) Panels - Minimum Air Quantity at LVC (Qmin):
- Degree I & II gassy coal mines:
Qmin = 3 Γ Amax Γ 0.5 m/s - Degree III gassy coal mines:
Qmin = 3 Γ Amax Γ 0.75 m/s - Where Amax = cross-sectional area (mΒ²) of largest gallery in panel
- Humidity & Temperature Control:
- Relative Humidity β€ 80%
- Maintain β₯ 2Β°C difference between DBT & WBT
- To limit temperature rise by machines:
β At least 25 mΒ³/s air at LVC
B. Powered Support Longwall (PSLW) Panels - Minimum Air Quantity at Face (Qmin):
- Qmin = Area of max span (mΒ²) Γ 3 m/s air velocity
- Temperature Control:
- Maintain β₯ 2Β°C difference between DBT & WBT
- To limit machine heat:
β At least 60 mΒ³/s air
C. General Rule for MPP (Mass Production Panel) - Calculate air requirement using all above criteria
- Deliver the highest value in LVC of CM or PSLW panel
πΉ 4. Implementation - While planning ventilation for CM & PSLW panels, use above formulae.
- After panel starts, prepare ventilation scheme based on factual mine conditions as per Reg. 153(2), CMR 2017.
π Key Points for Competitive Exams - Circular No.: DGMS (Tech.)(S&T) 02/2025
- Issued to: Owners, Agents, Managers of Coal Mines
- Focus: Minimum air quantity in CM & Longwall panels
- Formula (CM panels):
- Degree I & II β Qmin = 3 Γ Amax Γ 0.5 m/s
- Degree III β Qmin = 3 Γ Amax Γ 0.75 m/s
- Formula (PSLW panels):
- Qmin = Area Γ 3 m/s velocity
- Min. delivery:
- CM panels β 25 mΒ³/s
- PSLW panels β 60 mΒ³/s
- Humidity Control: RH β€ 80%, DBTβWBT β₯ 2Β°C
- Final Rule: Highest of all criteria must be provided
β¨ MCQs β DGMS Circular 02/2025 (Ventilation at CM & Longwall Panels)
π΄
Q1. As per DGMS Circular 02/2025, which regulation of CMR 2017 primarily governs adequate ventilation in belowground mines?
A) Reg. 142
B) Reg. 153
C) Reg. 160
D) Reg. 170
E) Reg. 183
β
Answer: B) Reg. 153 π Explanation: Circular is based on Reg. 153(1) & 153(2) of CMR 2017 regarding ventilation requirements.
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Q2. Minimum air quantity at LVC of ventilation district must be:
A) 4 mΒ³/min/person or 2.0 mΒ³/min/tonne output
B) 6 mΒ³/min/person or 2.5 mΒ³/min/tonne output
C) 5 mΒ³/min/person or 3.0 mΒ³/min/tonne output
D) 8 mΒ³/min/person or 2.5 mΒ³/min/tonne output
E) 6 mΒ³/min/person only
β
Answer: B) 6 mΒ³/min/person or 2.5 mΒ³/min/tonne output π Explanation: Regulation 153(2)(a), CMR 2017.
π΄
Q3. Excessive air requirement in Mass Production Panels (MPP) may lead to:
A) Reduced dust concentration
B) Higher ventilation pressure and risk of spontaneous heating
C) Decrease in water gauge
D) Elimination of humidity issues
E) Reduced machine heat generation
β
Answer: B) Higher ventilation pressure and risk of spontaneous heating
π΄
Q4. Which organization conducted the R&D project
βRequirement of Air in Mass Production Technologyβ?
A) NIRM KGF
B) IIT-ISM Dhanbad
C) CMPDIL Ranchi
D) CIMFR Dhanbad
E) DGMS Dhanbad
β
Answer: C) CMPDIL Ranchi
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Q5. In
Degree I & II gassy mines, Qmin at LVC of CM panel is given by:
A) Qmin = 3 Γ Amax Γ 0.25 m/s
B) Qmin = 3 Γ Amax Γ 0.5 m/s
C) Qmin = 3 Γ Amax Γ 0.75 m/s
D) Qmin = 2 Γ Amax Γ 0.5 m/s
E) Qmin = Amax Γ 1.0 m/s
β
Answer: B) 3 Γ Amax Γ 0.5 m/s
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Q6. In
Degree III gassy mines, Qmin at LVC of CM panel is:
A) 3 Γ Amax Γ 0.25 m/s
B) 3 Γ Amax Γ 0.5 m/s
C) 3 Γ Amax Γ 0.75 m/s
D) 2 Γ Amax Γ 0.75 m/s
E) 2.5 Γ Amax Γ 1.0 m/s
β
Answer: C) 3 Γ Amax Γ 0.75 m/s
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Q7. In formula for air quantity,
Amax refers to:
A) Maximum production capacity
B) Gallery cross-sectional area (mΒ²)
C) Longwall face length (m)
D) Height of coal seam
E) Quantity of coal produced per shift
β
Answer: B) Gallery cross-sectional area (mΒ²)
π΄
Q8. For CM panels, relative humidity should not exceed:
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 75%
D) 80%
E) 85%
β
Answer: D) 80%
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Q9. To maintain comfortable working conditions in CM panels, temperature difference between DBT & WBT should be at least:
A) 1Β°C
B) 1.5Β°C
C) 2Β°C
D) 3Β°C
E) 5Β°C
β
Answer: C) 2Β°C
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Q10. Minimum air required at LVC of CM panels to restrict machine-induced temperature rise:
A) 10 mΒ³/s
B) 15 mΒ³/s
C) 20 mΒ³/s
D) 25 mΒ³/s
E) 30 mΒ³/s
β
Answer: D) 25 mΒ³/s
π΄
Q11. For Powered Support Longwall (PSLW) panels, minimum velocity required at face:
A) 1.5 m/s
B) 2.0 m/s
C) 2.5 m/s
D) 3.0 m/s
E) 3.5 m/s
β
Answer: D) 3.0 m/s
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Q12. Formula for minimum air quantity in PSLW face:
A) Qmin = Area Γ 2.0 m/s
B) Qmin = Area Γ 2.5 m/s
C) Qmin = Area Γ 3.0 m/s
D) Qmin = Area Γ 3.5 m/s
E) Qmin = Area Γ 4.0 m/s
β
Answer: C) Area Γ 3.0 m/s
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Q13. Minimum air required in PSLW panels to control heat rise due to machines:
A) 30 mΒ³/s
B) 40 mΒ³/s
C) 50 mΒ³/s
D) 60 mΒ³/s
E) 70 mΒ³/s
β
Answer: D) 60 mΒ³/s
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Q14. In MPP, how should the minimum air requirement be determined?
A) By average of CM & PSLW values
B) By considering CM panel only
C) By considering PSLW panel only
D) By selecting the highest among all criteria
E) By DGMS standard fixed value
β
Answer: D) By selecting the highest among all criteria
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Q15. Ventilation scheme after commencement of MPP must be prepared as per:
A) Reg. 144 of CMR 2017
B) Reg. 153(2) of CMR 2017
C) Reg. 160 of CMR 2017
D) Reg. 170 of CMR 2017
E) Reg. 175 of CMR 2017
β
Answer: B) Reg. 153(2) of CMR 2017
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Q16. Excessive rise in water gauge at ventilator is a direct result of:
A) Low air delivery
B) High air quantity supply in LVC
C) Short circuiting of air
D) Blower failure
E) Dust suppression system
β
Answer: B) High air quantity supply in LVC
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Q17. DBT stands for:
A) Dry Bulb Thermometer
B) Dry Base Temperature
C) Dust Bulb Test
D) Dry Barometer Temperature
E) Direct Base Temperature
β
Answer: A) Dry Bulb Thermometer
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Q18. WBT stands for:
A) Wet Bulb Thermometer
B) Wet Base Temperature
C) Water Base Thermostat
D) Warm Bulb Test
E) Wet Barometer Temperature
β
Answer: A) Wet Bulb Thermometer
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Q19. The workshop on ventilation requirements was organized at:
A) CMPDIL Ranchi HQ
B) IIT ISM Dhanbad
C) Jhanjra Project, ECL
D) NCL Singrauli
E) SECL Korba
β
Answer: C) Jhanjra Project, ECL
π΄
Q20. The Circular 02/2025 is applicable to:
A) Only Degree III coal mines
B) Only metalliferous mines
C) All coal mines using CM and PSLW panels
D) Only opencast coal mines
E) Only fire-area blasting panels
β
Answer: C) All coal mines using CM and PSLW panels