Experimental determination of the amount of air required for mine ventilation in terms of the dilution factor of pollutant emissions from internal combustion engines

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-6-173-180

S.G. Gendler¹, A.S. Seregin^{1, 2}, I.R. Fazylov¹, P.A. Belekhov¹, M.A. Podrezova¹
¹Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
²NPI Nedra LLC, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №6/ 2025 p. 173-180

Abstract: Field studies of internal combustion engines (ICEs) were carried out under various operating modes for a fleet of machines operated in a mine. Special attention was paid to determining the component composition of the mine atmosphere in the working areas of machines with ICEs, as well as to analyzing the efficiency of diluting exhaust gases with fresh ventilation air supplied to the working areas. The amount of air required to ensure the regulatory parameters of the mine air that meet the requirements of the Safety Regulations was determined based on the field and theoretical studies. The results of the calculations allowed us to determine the required specific consumption of fresh air for each type of underground diesel-engine mining machines in the park, in order to ensure that the levels of the exhaust gas components in the mine workings and workplaces do not exceed the permissible limits.

Keywords: pollution of underground mine workings, exhaust gases, diesel internal combustion engine, ventilation of mining operations

For citation: Gendler S.G., Seregin A.S., Fazylov I.R., Belekhov P.A., Podrezova M.A. Experimental determination of the amount of air required for mine ventilation in terms of the dilution factor of pollutant emissions from internal combustion engines. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(6):173–180. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-6-173-180

Article info

Received: 30.08.2025

Revised: 23.10.2025

Accepted: 24.10.2025

Information about the authors

Semyon G. Gendler – Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Head of the Department of Production Safety, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7721-7246; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Aleksandr S. Seregin – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Associate Professor, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; Deputy Director of NPI Nedra LLC, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2897-8604; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ildar R. Fazylov – Assistant Professor, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7975-9471; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pavel A. Belekhov – Postgraduate Student, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Maria A. Podrezova – Postgraduate Student, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7009-0194

References

1. Rodionov V.A., Karpov G.N., Leisle A.V. Methodological approach to the need to assess the explosion and fire hazard properties of sulfide-containing polymetallic ores. Mining Informational and Analytical Bulletin. 2022.;(6-1):198–213. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25018/0236_1493_2022_61_0_198

2. Korshunov G. I., Nikulin A. N., Krasnoukhova D. Yu. Development of recommendations for professional risk management of employees of the mining and processing plant. Mining Informational and Analytical Bulletin. 2023;(9-1):199–214. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25018/0236_1493_2023_91_0_199

3. Chang P., Xu G., Zhou F., Mullins B., Abishek S., Chalmers D. Minimizing DPM pollution in an underground mine by optimizing auxiliary ventilation systems using CFD. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology. 2019;87:112–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2019.02.014

4. Rudakov M.L., Kolvakh K.A., Derkach I.V. Assessment of environmental and occupational safety in mining industry during underground coal mining. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism. 2020;11(3):579–588. https://doi.org/10.14505//jemt.v11.3(43).10

5. Zhikharev S.Ya., Tsygankov V.D., Rodionov V.A., Isaevich A.G. Optimization of dust suppression processes during underground mining based on full-scale experimentation and ANSYS Fluent simulation. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2023;(11)70–75. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17580/gzh.2023.11.11

6. Lesin A.V., Isaev A.V., Tonkonogov B.P., Dunaev S.V., Kulikov A.B. A mathematical model of the dynamic viscosity dependence of motor oils on temperature, soot concentration, and its morphology. Fine Chemical Technologies. 2024;19(6):485–496. https://doi.org/10.32362/2410-6593-2024-19-6-485-496

7. Marchuk N.A., Talanova V.A., Kulentsan A.L. Analysis of pollutant emissions from various sources. Modern Science. 2022;(2-1):35–39. (In Russ.)

8. Verschaeren R., Verhelst S. Increasing exhaust temperature to enable after-treatment operation on a two-stage turbocharged medium speed marine diesel engine. Energy. 2018;147:681–687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.01.081

9. Volkodaeva M.V., Volodina Ya.A. Methods of sampling in atmospheric air monitoring at sanitary protection zone boundary of mines. Mining Informational and Analytical Bulletin. 2023;(3):72–82. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25018/0236_1493_2023_3_0_72

10. Chebotarev A.G., Gibadulina I.Yu., Goryachev N.S. Contamination of mine air with exhaust gases of self-propelled machinery and proposed corrective measures. Russian Mining Industry. 2019;(2):74–76. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2019-2-144-74-76

11. Romanchenko S.B., Naganovskiy Y.K., Kornev A.V. Innovative ways to control dust and explosion safety of mine workings. Journal of Mining Institute. 2021;252:927–936. https://doi.org/10.31897/PMI.2021.6.14

12. Muralidharan K., Vasudevan D. Applications of artificial neural networks in prediction of performance, emission and combustion characteristics of variable compression ratio engine fuelled with waste cooking oil biodiesel. Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering. 2015;37(3):915–928. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-014-0213-4

13. Balasubramanian D., Hoang A.T., Venugopal I.P., Shanmugam A., Gao J., Wongwuttanasatian T. Numerical and experimental evaluation on the pooled effect of waste cooking oil biodiesel/diesel blends and exhaust gas recirculation in a twin-cylinder diesel engine. Fuel. 2021;287:119815. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.119815

14. Stoumpos S., Theotokatos G. Multiobjective optimisation of a marine dual fuel engine equipped with exhaust gas recirculation and air bypass systems. Energies. 2020;13(19):5021. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13195021

15. Yi H., Park J., Kim M.S. Characteristics of mine ventilation air flow using both blowing and exhaust ducts at the mining face. Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology. 2020;34(3):1167–1174. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-0218-0

16. Seregin A.S., Akhtyamov K.D., Fazylov I.R., Belekhov P.A. Influence of ventilation pipe location on airing efficiency in blind drift during operation of machines with internal combustion engines. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2025;(5):66–72. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17580/gzh.2025.05.09

17. Dashko R.E., Romanov I.S. Forecasting of mining and geological processes based on the analysis of the underground space of the Kupol deposit as a multicomponent system (Chukotka Autonomous Region, Anadyr district). Journal of Mining Institute. 2021;247:20–32. https://doi.org/10.31897/PMI.2021.1.3

18. Woo J.R., Choi H., Ahn J. Well-to-wheel analysis of greenhouse gas emissions for electric vehicles based on electricity generation mix: A global perspective. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment. 2017;51:340–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2017.01.005

19. Bickert S., Kampker A., Greger D. Developments of CO2-emissions and costs for small electric and combustion engine vehicles in Germany. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment. 2015;36:138–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2015.02.004

20. Davis M.E., Hart J.E., Laden F., Garshick E., Smith T.J. A Retrospective Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Elemental Carbon in the U.S. Trucking Industry. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2011;119(7):997–1002. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1002981

21. Rogers A., Davies B. Diesel particulates – recent progress on an old issue. The Annals of Occupational Hygiene. 2005;49(6):453–456. https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/mei020

22. Borak J., Bunn W.B., Chase G.R., Hall T.A., Head H.J., Hesterberg T.W. et al. Comments on the diesel exhaust in miners study. The Annals of Occupational Hygiene. 2011;55(3):339–342, https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/mer005

23. Park R.M. Risk assessment for conventional diesel exhaust (before 1990) and lung cancer in a cohort of miners. Risk Analysis. 2024;44(6):1413–1429. https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.14231

24. Zeraati-Rezaei S., Alam M.S., Xu H., Beddows D.C., Harrison R.M. Size-resolved physico-chemical characterization of diesel exhaust particles and efficiency of exhaust aftertreatment. Atmospheric Environment. 2020;222:117021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2019.117021

25. Nakaryakov E.V., Grishin E.L. Analysing the impact of the load-and-haul machine's production cycle on the ventilation efficiency in a blind stope. Gornoe Ekho. 2020;(3):120–123. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.7242/echo.2020.3.23

26. Beloglazov I., Morenov V., Leusheva E. Flow modeling of high-viscosity fluids in pipeline infrastructure of oil and gas enterprises. Egyptian Journal of Petroleum. 2021;30(4):43–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpe.2021.11.001

27. Wagner G.R., Michaels D. Invited perspective: Diesel exhaust and lung cancer – delayed findings confirmed, but consequences continue. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2023;131(8):081301. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13258

28. Kashnikov A.V., Kruglov Y.V. Strategy of mine ventilation control in optimal mode using fuzzy logic controllers. Journal of Mining Institute. 2023;262:594–605. https://doi.org/10.31897/PMI.2022.75

29. Kuzmin K.A., Kosolapova S.M., Rudko V.A. Investigating the mechanism of action of polymer pour point depressants on cold flow properties of biodiesel fuels. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 2024;702(Part 1):134971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2024.134971

30. Levin L.Yu., Zaitsev A.V., Grishin E.L., Semin M.A. Calculation of air quantity on oxygen content for ventilation of the working areas when using machines with internal-combustion engine. Occupational Safety in Industry. 2015;(8):43–46. (In Russ.)

31. Benbrahim-Tallaa L., Baan R.A., Grosse Y., Lauby-Secretan B., El Ghissassi F., Bouvard V. et al. Carcinogenicity of diesel-engine and gasoline-engine exhausts and some nitroarenes. The Lancet Oncology. 2012;13(7):663–664. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1470-2045(12)70280-2

32. Kretschmann J., Plien M., Nguyen T.H.N., Rudakov M.L. Effective capacity building by empowerment teaching in the field of occupational safety and health management in mining. Journal of Mining Institute. 2020;242:248–256. https://doi.org/10.31897/PMI.2020.2.248

33. Likhanov V.A., Lopatin O.P. Combustion and heat release in engine firing fuel-spirit mix. Engines Construction. 2019;(2):26–31. (In Russ.)

34. Balovtsev S. V., Skopintseva O. V., Kolikov K. S. Aerological risk management in designing, operation, closure and temporary shutdown of coal mines. Mining Informational and Analytical Bulletin. 2020;(6):85–94. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25018/0236-1493-2020-6-0-85-94

35. Chebotarev A.G., Gibadulina I.Yu., Goryachev N.S. Hygienic assessment of physical and chemical properties of mine aerosol. occupational pathology of mine technicians who service mobile diesel equipment. Russian Mining Industry. 2020;(2):130–135. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2020-2-130-135

36. Novikov A.V., Panevnikov K.V., Pisarev I.V. Safety rules for underground coal mines. Russian Mining Industry. 2019;(2):42–46. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2019-2-144-42-46