-SQA-SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

Hanover House 24 Douglas Street GLASGOW G2 7NG

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE MODULE DESCRIPTOR

-Module Number- 0064850 -Session-1986-87

-Superclass- YA

-Title- MINING ENVIRONMENT 1

-DESCRIPTION-

Type and A specialist module which enables the student in Purpose the mining industry to acquire an understanding of the mining environment, its hazards, and methods of controlling hazards.

Preferred 04849 Introduction to the Mining Environment Entry Level

Learning The student should: Outcomes 1. be able to design ventilation layouts, determining air flow rates and pressure differences in roadways and ducts;

2. know the threshold limit values and physiological effects of the principal mine gases;

3. know the construction and operating principles of approved flame safety lamps, methanometers and chemical stain detectors;

4. be able to test for mine gases with the approved detectors;

5. know the purpose of drainage installations and cross measure borehole systems;

6. know the physiological effects of heat and humidity and determine the humidity. Continuation of Module No. 64850 Session 1986-87

Content/ Corresponding to the Learning Outcomes: Context 1. relationship between absolute pressure, atmospheric pressure and gauge or vacuum pressure. Boyle's Law. Concept of absolute zero. Charles's Law. Combination to form the general gas equation. Use of the equation. Application to the mining situation.

Anemometer as an instrument used in measurement of air velocity. Method of measuring air velocity by means of an anemometer traverse. Quantity of air flowing in a roadway as the product of air velocity and cross sectional area. Series and parallel air flow. Advantages of parallel flow. Typical ventilation plans of colliery districts using proper symbols. Measurement of ventilation pressure using a manometer. The Pitot tube. Measurement of ventilation pressure using the Pitot tube and inclination gauge.

2. firedamp as a mixture of gases including . Principal gases in . as . Stinkdamp as hydrogen sulphide. Nitrous fumes as oxides of nitrogen. as a mixture of gases resulting from an explosion. Composition of afterdamp. Release of firedamp. Firedamp accumulations. Sources of blackdamp, whitedamp, stinkdamp and nitrous fumes. Properties of mine gases. Methods of detection of gases. Effects of oxygen deficiency on the body. TLV and the effects of the mine gases on the human body.

3. principles of the flame and Garforth flame safety lamp. Principles and construction of a typical methanometer. Standard test procedure for detection of firedamp in the general body of mine air with a flame safety lamp and a methanometer Standard test for detection of firedamp accumulations of roof level with a flame safety lamp and methanometer.

4. construction of chemical filled tubes for gas detection. Procedures for using tubes for gas detection and estimation. Availability of tubes for most gases.

5. methane drainage systems. Accumulations of methane in the relaxed zone above or below a waste area. Cross-measure borehole systems of methane drainage. Examples. Connection between borehole and gas main. Discharge arrangements and precautions. Safety features incorporated. Benefits of firedamp drainage systems. -2 - Continuation of Module No. 64850 Session 1986-87

6. saturated air, dew point and relative humidity. Use of hygrometer. Description of static and whirling hygrometers. Principles of operation. Physiological effects of working in hot and humid conditions.

Suggested Emphasis should be placed on problem solving by Learning and producing plans and schemes from information Teaching derived from course material, visits, technical Approaches references and discussion with colliery officials at the parent colliery. Group work should be encouraged.

Students should have access to Health and Safety Executive Reports and other technical literature to stimulate discussion on relevant topics and assist in problem solving.

Principles should be re-inforced by practical demonstrations/experimentation wherever possible.

The use of prepared computer software for data handling and problem solving is recommended.

The broad concepts of relevant statutory requirements should be introduced with the technology and will be re-inforced in the formal legislation modules.

Assessment All learning outcomes must be validly assessed. Procedures The student must be informed of the tasks which contribute to summative assessment. Any unsatisfactory aspects of performance should, if possible, be discussed with the student as and when they arise.

Acceptable performance in the module will be satisfactory achievement of the performance criteria specified for each learning outcome.

The following abbreviations are used below:

LO Learning Outcome IA Instrument of Assessment PC Performance Criteria

LO1 IA(1)Written/graphics planning exercise.

PC Given a layout plan, the student successfully produces a satisfactory system of unit ventilation.

IA(2) Report on practical exercises.

PC From practical exercises, the student:

(a) determines and records air flow rates successfully; -3 - Continuation of Module No. 64850 Session 1986-87

(b) determines and records pressure differences correctly; (c) produces neat and accurate work; (d) draws appropriate conclusions.

LO2 IA Written short answer test.

PC The student correctly:

(a) states the content and nature of mine gas mixtures; (b) states the acceptable threshold limits; (c) states the physiological effects of these gases.

LO3 IA(1) Observation checklist on a practical exercise.

PC The student successfully assembles a flame safety lamp from the constituent components.

IA(2) Written/graphical short answer test.

PC The student clearly and accurately describes the construction and operating principles of the stated items.

LO4 IA Observation checklist based on a practical exercise.

PC Given the approved detectors, the student successfully determines the identity of given sample gases.

LO5 IA Written short answer test.

PC The student correctly:

(a) states the reasons for the accumulation of methane; (b) describes the borehole systems of methane drainage; (c) describes the discharge arrangements and precautions; (d) states the necessary safety features of the systems.

LO6 IA(1) Written short answer test.

PC The student clearly and accurately describes the physiological effects of heat and humidity.

IA(2) Observation checklist based on a practical exercise.

PC The student successfully determines the humidity using appropriate test equipment.

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