Climate Control Solution for Underground Mining Refuge Chambers

For underground mining operations, maintaining a safe and breathable environment inside refuge chambers is critical during emergency situations. DC Airco has designed a dedicated split air conditioning and dehumidification system specifically for mining refuge stations, supporting occupant safety and comfort under extreme underground conditions.

The DC7200 split air conditioner / dehumidifier is engineered for refuge chambers accommodating 10 to 15 people and operates fully on 24 VDC, ensuring reliable performance when powered by batteries or emergency power systems. In addition to cooling, the system provides active dehumidification, condensing up to 2 litres of moisture per hour, even in low humidity environments, helping to prevent condensation buildup and discomfort inside sealed chambers. Designed for harsh underground environments, the system delivers up to 2.1 kW of cooling capacity and maintains stable operation at ambient temperatures up to 50 °C.

The split configuration allows the evaporator to be located within the refuge chamber while the condenser is installed externally, connected via prefilled refrigerant hoses with quick connect fittings, enabling fast installation and simplified maintenance. The DC7200 features a PLC based control system with Modbus communication, supporting local or remote operation. Redundancy options and low energy consumption make the system suitable for extended standby periods and emergency runtime scenarios where efficiency and reliability are essential. This solution demonstrates DC Airco’s capability to deliver purpose built HVAC and moisture control systems for underground mining refuge chambers, contributing to safer working environments and improved emergency preparedness in mining operations.