Diffusion and pollution of multi-source dusts in a fully mechanized coal face

In order to provide theoretical guidance for dust prevention and treatment, as well as environmental protection for mines, we investigated the diffusion and pollution of multiple sources in a fully mechanized coal face using CFD-DPM based airflow-dust coupling method, and analyzed the distributions of dust particle diameter at different positions. Results show that, the air was mainly leaked from three positions in the mining area, 6m away from the air inlet on the leeward side, the position where the hydraulic prop was moved and the middle part of the shearer. A high-velocity airflow zone was formed around the shearer's front roller, with airflow velocity up to 2.2 m/s. The dusts produced by the advancing support were superposed with the dusts from the roller's coal cutting, and a high-concentration dust zone with a length of approximately 2 m was formed at the front roller, with dust concentration as high as 3000 mg/m(3). Within 40 m from the air outlet, a great number of dusts larger than 70 mu m settled. Finally, the field measured results of airflow and dust concentration verified the accuracy of the simulation of dust diffusion and pollution behaviors in the fully mechanized coal face. (C) 2018 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.