The Principles and Practice of Mine Ventilation: being a Treatise on Modern Methods of Mine Ventialtion and Machinery, with Consideration of Deep Mine Problems, Explosions, Fires, Rescue and Recovery Work, and Cognate Subjects Ventilation of Mines

Abstract

FOR some time past considerable attention has been given to the principles of mine ventilation; institutions, committees, and individuals have been hard at work for some years trying to render our knowledge of this complex subject more accurate, and at the same time to express that knowledge by means of readily intelligible formulæ. It is beginning to be generally admitted that no single formula can quite accurately express all the facts, but there are strong hopes that a reasonably simple formula giving results near enough for all practical purposes may be the outcome. The two books now before us are evidence of the widespread interest that is being taken in the subject; both are fairly satisfactory works within their own spheres, but, curiously enough, these spheres are entirely different. The British book is addressed essentially to students, the American book essentially to mining engineers. Thus it is that in the former it is thought necessary to give such elementary information as that “inversely means in the opposite direction,” and to conclude each chapter with a series of questions, adapted apparently to the capacity of elementary students, whilst in the latter attempts are made to discuss such advanced problems as the economics of ventilation, and to solve such problems as, for example, “What is the most economic size of an airway under given conditions?” It must unfortunately be admitted that the author's solution of the problem is neither complete nor correct, but the fact that he attempts to solve it indicates the stage to which the work is carried.

The Principles and Practice of Mine Ventilation: being a Treatise on Modern Methods of Mine Ventialtion and Machinery, with Consideration of Deep Mine Problems, Explosions, Fires, Rescue and Recovery Work, and Cognate Subjects.

By Prof. David Penman Dr. J. S. Penman. Pp. viii + 303. (London: Charles Griffin and Co., Ltd., 1927.) 21s. net.

Ventilation of Mines.

By Prof. Walter S. Weeks. Pp. x + 228. (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc.; London: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., Ltd., 1926.) 15s. net.