Title: A diesel particulate matter dispersion study inside a single dead end entry using dynamic mesh model

Authors: Magesh Thiruvengadam; Yi Zheng; Hai Lan; Jerry C. Tien

Addresses: Department of Mining & Nuclear Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 226 McNutt Hall, Rolla, MO 65401, USA ' Department of Mining & Nuclear Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 226 McNutt Hall, Rolla, MO 65401, USA ' Clean Air Power Inc., Poway, CA 92064, USA ' Department of Civil Engineering, Division of Mining and Resources Engineering, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia

Abstract: Three-dimensional simulations of diesel particulate matter (DPM) distribution inside a single dead end entry with a push-pull system for the load-haul-dump (LHD)-truck loading and truck hauling operations were carried out using ANSYS FLUENT computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. The loading operation was performed for a fixed period of time. Then dynamic mesh technique in FLUENT was used to study the impact of truck motion on DPM distribution. The resultant DPM distributions are presented for the cases when the vehicles were fitted with and without diesel particulate filters (DPF). The results from the simulation can be used to determine if the areas inside the single dead end entry exceed the current U.S. regulatory requirement for DPM concentration (160 µg/m³). This research can guide the selection of DPM reduction strategies and improve the working practices for the underground miners.

Keywords: computational fluid dynamics; CFD; dead end; diesel particulate matter; DPM; dynamic meshing; hauling operations; particulate matter dispersion; dispersion modelling; push-pull systems; load-haul-dump; LHD truck loading; truck hauling; truck motion; simulation; underground mines; mining industry; air pollution; air quality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2016.078356

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2016 Vol.7 No.3, pp.210 - 223

Accepted: 18 Feb 2016
Published online: 15 Aug 2016 *

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