Doctoral Dissertations

Yi Zheng

Abstract

"Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) is a natural by-product from operating diesel engines. Since diesel power is a major source of energy for mining operations today, the adverse health effects of DPM are of a great concern. To thoroughly resolve DPM problems, it is critical that DPM propagation characteristics be understood to arrive at a sensible and practical method for addressing DPM-related issues. To achieve this, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is used to simulate DPM dispersion and to predict its concentration distribution. Industrial field studies were reconstructed to evaluate the possibility of different CFD models. Experiments were also carried out in the Missouri University of Science and Technology (MISSOURI S&T) Experimental Mine to validate the selected CFD model. Based on the verified CFD model, the DPM dispersion pattern in both a straight entry and a dead-end entry were studied. The effect of variables (for example, different mining operations, inclination of dead-end entry, buoyancy effects, orientation of the tailpipe and a vehicle's motion) on DPM distribution were systematically simulated to reveal high DPM regions in similar real mining scenarios. Different main airflow speeds, diesel particulate filter (DPF), and local ventilation devices were evaluated for effectiveness in clearing the DPM plume. This research can provide a means for identifying high DPM-level areas which can be used in miner health and safety training. It can also improve the understanding of the impacts of various control measures on DPM distribution which can result in an objective decision-making scheme for mining engineers to choose individual or a combination of control strategies to upgrade a miner's working environment"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Tien, Jerry C.

Committee Member(s)

Tsai, Hai-Lung
Saperstein, Lee W.
Summers, David A.
Grayson, R. Larry

Department(s)

Mining Engineering

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Mining Engineering

Sponsor(s)

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2011

Pagination

xxiii, 261 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 251-260).

Rights

© 2011 Yi Zheng, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Computational fluid dynamicsDiesel fuelsDispersion -- Mathematical models

Thesis Number

T 9909

Print OCLC #

794777322

Electronic OCLC #

765305875

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