A parametric analysis of a tunnel climatic prediction and planning model

This paper presents results of a series of detailed parametric studies analysis conducted on a computer based tunnel climatic prediction model developed at the University of Nottingham.An extensive number of computer simulations have been undertaken using the drivage model. Sensitivity exercises have been undertaken to analyze the effect that variations to the various input and computational parameters have on the predicted climatic conditions. The results of these model sensitivity exercises have been compared against both manually measured and continuously recorded digital climatic survey data collected from within a rapid development drivage of a representative UK coal colliery. The conclusions drawn from these comparative analyses are reported.The influence of the main climate model variables studied are the rock thermal parameters, the total efficiency of the auxiliary forcing fan, and the electrical equipment utilization (i.e., percentage of power loading given off of sensible heat into airstream). The results of these analyses have identified the range of values that may be taken by these parameters in order that the tunnel climate prediction model satisfactorily reproduces the measured psychrometric conditions.