Author 1:
Name & Surname: Kazakov B. P.
Company: Mining Institute, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (Perm, Russia)
Work Position: Head of department
Scientific Degree: Doctor of Engineering Sciences
Contacts: e-mail: aero_kaz@mail.ru

Author 2:
Name & Surname: Shalimov A. V.
Company: Mining Institute, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (Perm, Russia)
Work Position: Head of subdivision
Scientific Degree: Doctor of Engineering Sciences

Author 3:
Name & Surname: Semin M. A.
Company: Mining Institute, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (Perm, Russia)
Work Position: Junior Researcher

Author 4:
Name & Surname: Grishin E. L.
Company: Perm National Research Polytechnic University (Perm, Russia)
Work Position: Principal Engineer
Scientific Degree: Candidate of Engineering Sciences

Author 5:
Name & Surname: Trushkova N. A.
Company: Perm National Research Polytechnic University (Perm, Russia)
Work Position: Engineer

Based on the analysis of the current methods of forecasting air distribution dynamics during freely burning fire in mines, it is shown that one-dimensional forecast models of air flow during fire and aeration in mines with switched off main mine fans unsatisfactorily consider dynamics of air flows, amount and direction of which may greatly change in the fire area due to variable thermal drop of ventilation pressure. In connection with this, a special study was undertaken, and its results were used to develop the mathematical model of convective stratification of air flows over mine tunnel section. The model provides adequate description of air flow under high temperature differences. Design model, formulas and conditions of probable ‘choking’ of air flow are presented. The authors justify the requirement of taking into account air flow stratification in modeling freely burning fires in underground mines.

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