Numerical Simulation of Ventilation of Blind Drifts with a Force- Exhaust Overlap System in the Condition of Methan and Dust Hazards

This paper outlines a theoretical method of finding 3D velocity fields and methane and dust concentrations in the air in blind drifts with a force-exhaust overlap ventilation system incorporating a forcing duct with a vortex duct and an auxiliary exhaust duct with the dust separator. The solution is supported by equations and simulation programs utilizing the CFD approach. The air and methane mixture is assumed to be an ideal and compressible gas, its motion is taken to be steady and the whole process is assumed to be isothermal. Fresh air is assumed to be a three-component mixture of nitrogen, oxygen and water vapour. The problem considered in this study is described with continuity equations, Navier- Stokes equations, k - e model equations as well as transport equations of chemical species (components of air-methan mixture). Calculation data are presented in the form of velocity field images, streamlines and mass fractions of CH4. Fig. 2 shows velocity distributions in the selected drift cross-sections in the considered flow region (Fig. 1). The air vortex, generated by the vortex duct, moves towards the face head and in the direction of the overlap zone. The actual division of the air stream depends on the ratio of air volume supplied to the overlap zone to that supplied to the face region. The air jet leaving the dust separatpr installation produces in its wake a zone of about 15 m, dominated by recirculation flow. Fig. 4 shows the distribution of mass fractions of methane, assuming that methane should enter via the face region and via the belt-shaped section in the floor, in the central part of the overlap zone. Apart from expected methane concentration levels near the roof (in the face region), there are other methane concentration zones caused by flow obstacles, such as continuous mining machines and forsing duct system here located near the side walls. This is associated with the development of low-intensity airing zones, where methane concentrations are higher. The flow of air-solid particles mixture is governed by the two-phase Euler- Lagrange’s model with the gaseous continuous phase and a dispersed phase comprising solid (dust) particles. Apart from solving the equations of mass, momentum and energy conservation for the continuous phase, the model utilizes the trajectories of dispersed phase particles. It is assumed that dust is emitted from the face head surface. Images of several hundred particles’ trajectories, originating in the face head section, are shown in Figs 5, 6. Small ratio of air in the overlap zone helps contain the dust cloud in the face region. As the amounts of air in the overlap zone increase, the highly dusted zone enlarges, too. Tables 1 and 2 summarize the dust measurement and calculation data in the selected drift locations and the length of time that solid partic les remain in the face zone. In qualitative terms, simulation data obtained using the Euler-Lagrange’s two-phase flow model are consistent with the data quoted in literature and with practical observations. A full quantitative analysis, however, would require us to find the degree of correspondence between the simulation and experimental data. Calculations are supported by the program FLUENT 6.1.