This paper documents the development of a user-friendly computational
program, which has been constructed to assist the mine ventilation
engineer in the optimal design and operation of methane drainage ranges. In the past, many computer tools for ventilation engineers led to the
development of `research systems'. These computer systems, although
developed with the needs of the industry in mind were due to a
combination of inexperienced programming methods and the availability
of suitable user interface software not easily accessible to the practising
engineer. Recent developments in computer hardware and software
(particularly windows based graphical user interfaces) mean that
engineers no longer need to dedicate large amounts of valuable time to
become familiar with often complex items of software. The authors of this paper intend to demonstrate a practical system
which successfully integrates complex mathematical models, an easy to
use interface and knowledge based techniques. The graphical interface guides the user to draw on the screen a mimic
diagram representation of the methane drainage network. The user is
prompted, during the construction of the drawing, to input the information
and data required by the calculation and knowledge based procedures.
The computer program then calculates all of the flows, purities and
pressures throughout the network. Given reliable measured data from an
existing range a comparative analysis can be performed between the
predicted and measured network flow data. A knowledge-based system
may utilise this analysis to either update the operational status of the
network or suggest either a reasoned maintenance or remedial strategy to
improve the performance of the drainage system. The development of the OMEN project has been carried out at the
request of the Midlands Group, British Coal Corporation, Edwinstowe.
The system is about to be field tested at a number of mines. It is hoped
that when this paper is presented that the system will be used at both
Group and mine level.