Introduction and evaluation of a novel hybrid brattice for improved dust control in underground mining faces: A computational study

A proper control and management of dust dispersion is essential to ensure safe and productive underground working environment. Brattice installation to direct the flow from main shaft to the mining face was found to be the most effective method to disperse dust particle away from the mining face. However,it limits the movement and disturbs the flexibility of the mining fleets and operators at the tunnel. This study proposes a hybrid brattice system- a combination of a physical brattice together with suitable and flexible directed and located air curtains- to mitigate dust dispersion from the mining face and reduce dust concentration to a safe level for the working operators. A validated three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic model utilizing Eulerian–Lagrangian approach is employed to track the dispersion of dust particle. Several possible hybrid brattice scenarios are evaluated with the objective to improve dust management in underground mine. The results suggest that implementation of hybrid brattice is beneficial for the mining operation: up to three times lower dust concentration is achieved as compared to that of the physical brattice without air curtain.

Simulation on dissolute and dust dispersion in comprehensive mechanized heading face with forced-exhaust ventilation

According to the characteristics of comprehensive mechanized heading face, established the mathematical model of single-phase air flow with κ-ε two equations model, and have established κ-ε-θ-κp mathematic model to solve two-phase flow of gas and particles in dust space with eulerian-eulerian method and eulerian-lagrangian method. Numerical solution of gas-particle two-phase flow was put forward based on collocated grid SIMPLE algorithm. Moreover, numerical simulation of dust concentration in fully mechanized caving face was carded out by using Fluent software. Finally, when in forced-exhaust ventilation circumstance, drawer type fan drum have less dust absorption, and most of dust spread to the other site; the dust concentration is inversely proportional to the distance from tunneling head, and the dust concentration has already diffused to decrease below 102 mg/m3 at the position ofx=12 m. Dust are more focused on relative side（in the range about y from 0 to 2 meter） of roadway space of press-ventilated fan drum, especially between tunneling place and drawer type fan drum; the roadway with road header have a higher dust concentration. These conclusions provide reliable theory basis for the dust prevention in comprehensive mechanized heading face.

Dust dispersion and management in underground mining faces

Presence of fine dust in air causes serious health hazard for mine operators resulting in such serious problems as coal workers’pneumoconiosis and silicosis.Major sources of dust appear of course along the mining face where the minerals are extracted.Proper control and management are required to ensure safe working environment in the mine.Here,we utilize the computational fluid dynamic(CFD)approach to evaluate various methods used for mitigating dust dispersion from the mining face and for ensuring safe level of dust concentration in the mine tunnel for safety of the operators.The methods used include:application of blowing and exhaust fans,application of brattice and combination of both.The results suggest that among the examined methods,implementation of appropriately located brattice to direct the flow from the main shaft to the mining face is the most effective method to direct dust particles away from the mining face.

Effect of Turbulence on Flame Propagation in Comstarch Dust-Air Mixtures

Following the quantitative determination of dust cloud parameters, this study investigated the flame propagation through cornstarch dust clouds in a vertical duct of 780 mm height and 160×160 mm square cross section, and gave particular attention to the effect of turbulence on flame characteristics. The turbulence induced by dust dispersion process was measured using a particle image velocimetry （PIV） system. Upward propagating dust flames were visualized with direct fight and shadow photography. The results show that a critical value of the turbulence intensity can be specified below which laminar flame propagation would be established. This transition condition is about 10 cm/s. The measured propagation speed of laminar flames appears to be in the range of 0.45-0.56 m/s, consistent with the measurements reported in the literature. For the present experimental conditions, the flame speed is little sensitive to the variations in dust concentration. Some information on the flame structure was revealed from the shadow records, showing the typical heterogeneous feature of dust combustion process.