Hooman, MarleWebber-Youngman, Ronald C.W.Du Plessis, J.J.L.Marx, M.W.2015-08-282015-08-282015-02Hooman, M, Webber-Youman, RCW, Du Plessis, JJL & Marx, MW 2015, 'A decision analysis guideline for underground bulk air heat exchanger design specifications', Journal of The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 115 , pp. 125-129.0038-223X (print)2225-6253 (online)http://hdl.handle.net/2263/49617This paper discusses a study that investigated different underground bulk air heat exchanger (>100 m3/s) design criteria. A literature review found that no single document exists covering all design criteria for different heat exchangers, and therefore the need was identified to generate a guideline with decision analyser steps to arrive at a technical specification. The study investigated the factors influencing heat exchanger designs (spray chambers, towers, and indirect-contact heat exchangers) and the technical requirements for each. The decision analysers can be used to generate optimized, user-friendly fit-forpurpose designs for bulk air heat exchangers (air cooler and heat rejection). The study was tested against a constructed air cooler and heat rejection unit at a copper mine1. It was concluded that the decision analysers were used successfully. This tool (decision analysers) can be used by engineers for the efficient and cost-effectively design of heat exchangers.en© The Southern African Institute of Mining and MetallurgyMine refrigerationWater-airHeat exchanger designDecision analyserEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-07SDG-07: Affordable and clean energyEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-09SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructureEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-12SDG-12: Responsible consumption and productionEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-13SDG-13: Climate actionArticle