Numerical Investigation of Diesel Particulate Matter Dispersion in an Underground Development Face during Key Mining Activities
Abstract
Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is carcinogenic to humans. Underground miners have a high risk of over-exposure to high concentrations of DPM. To control DPM effectively, it is essential to understand the DPM dispersion characteristics. In this study, the DPM distributions of three key and representative mining activities, shotcreting, charging and loading activity, in an underground development face were studied. A computational model for the mining activities was developed using 3D imagery, onsite data and OpenFOAM. Tracer gas experiments were first conducted in the underground mine for the validation of CFD simulation. The simulations were carried out at a steady-state using the standard k-ε turbulence model, and the transport and dispersion of DPM were modelled using a segregated species transport model. DPM distribution characteristics for each mining activity were analysed, and the regions with high concentration (>0.1 mg/m3) were identified, and the reasons for the high concentrations were also discussed. At last, the efficiency of the current auxiliary ventilation system on DPM dilution was evaluated based on the simulation results. The results show that a broader region with high DPM concentration was identified in the downstream of the loader during the loading activity, and this issue could be solved by simply increasing the ventilation rate. The findings in this paper could be used for optimizing the auxiliary ventilation design for future mining activities in this development face.
Recommended Citation
P. Chang et al., "Numerical Investigation of Diesel Particulate Matter Dispersion in an Underground Development Face during Key Mining Activities," Advanced Powder Technology, vol. 31, no. 9, pp. 3882 - 3896, Elsevier, Sep 2020.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2020.07.031
Department(s)
Mining Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Computational fluid dynamics; Diesel particulate matter; Species transport model; Underground mines; Ventilation evaluation
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0921-8831; 1568-5527
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2020 Society of Powder Technology, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Sep 2020
Comments
This research project is funded by the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (M495), and the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.