A CFD modeling study of SIUC innovative spray system for continuous miner for efficient dust control

摘要

SIUC has developed innovative spray system concepts for Continuous Miners (CM) for dust control. These concepts: 1) Increase the residence time for dust-water droplets interaction in the face area, 2) Improve wetting of airborne dust, and 3) Minimize the dust rollback to the continuous miner (CM) and haulage unit (HU) operators. Water volume requirements (~ 0.11 m~3/min, 28 gpm) are about same as the current system and operate at a pressure of 552-689 KPa (80-100 psi). This spray system was evaluated in the field by comparing it with a conventional spray system at a mine in Illinois and its results are included in another paper. Gravimetric sampling results showed dust reduction of 35%, 17% and 23% at CM, HU and last open x-cut locations, respectively. This paper presents Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis to study the effect of sprays location on airflow patterns in the face area, 3-D spray coverage area and orientation of sprays. Results show that innovative spray system improves the ventilation in the face area, provides uniform air velocity across the face, minimizes dust roll back to the operators, and increases 3-D spray coverage at different locations that should lead to the improved dust control. These data are assisting the researchers to further optimize sprays locations and their operating parameters and orientations.