The Necessity of a Permanent Ventilation System in Tunnels
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2020-06-17
The necessity of a permanent ventilation system within tunnels primarily lies in improving air quality and ensuring driving safety.
Due to their unique terrain and structure, tunnels have poor air circulation, which can easily lead to declining air quality. This issue is further exacerbated by factors such as exhaust emissions from diesel locomotives passing through, as well as household waste left behind by vehicles and pedestrians. To safeguard the health of railway maintenance personnel, railway technical regulations stipulate that within 15 minutes after a train passes, the air composition inside the tunnel must meet national hygiene standards. For longer tunnels—specifically those where diesel locomotives operate over distances exceeding 2 km, or where electric locomotives travel more than 8 km—a mechanical ventilation system must be installed to ensure that air quality consistently complies with established standards.
Additionally, the ventilation system within the tunnel also addresses safety concerns. For instance, the presence of underground toxic and harmful gases such as methane could pose serious risks—such as explosions or oxygen deprivation for personnel—if their concentrations become too high. Therefore, it is essential to have personnel continuously monitoring the gas levels inside the tunnel and initiating ventilation whenever necessary, ensuring both the safety and smooth operation of the tunnel. A prime example is the Jiazhuqing Tunnel, located deep in the mountains. Its ventilation control room is staffed by ventilation technicians, gas measurement specialists, and watchmen who conduct round-the-clock, uninterrupted monitoring and analysis of gas concentrations. If the concentration ever exceeds safe limits, the ventilation system is immediately activated to expel the hazardous gases, thereby safeguarding the tunnel environment at all times.
With the advancement of technology, future tunnel ventilation systems are expected to achieve higher levels of automation and intelligence. By integrating smart sensors and adaptive control algorithms, these systems will enable intelligent monitoring and control, enhancing their flexibility and efficiency. Moreover, to reduce operational and maintenance costs while improving safety, tunnel ventilation systems may evolve toward unmanned operations, leveraging drones and sensor networks to deliver real-time monitoring and maintenance of the tunnel’s internal environment.
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