The importance of the WF coefficient in forecasting climatic conditions in coal excavations

The article presents the results of research on the formation of the WF coefficient in coal excavations. The WF coefficient determines the share of the wet surface of the excavation sidewall. The wet part of the excavation sidewall is covered partly by the water film, which evaporates, lowering the temperature of this surface. This coefficient is one of the principal parameters used in forecasting the changes in temperature and humidity of the mine air occurring on the way of contact between the excavation sidewall and the flowing air. During the determination of the coefficient value, the criterion of equality of the actual and forecasted ratios of sensible heat to total heat was assumed in the research methodology. Values of the WF coefficient in the examined excavations generally vary within the range of 0,1-0,6, and they are mostly dependent on the parameters related to the period of ventilation.