A numerical simulation of dust pollution law under traditional electric rake operation: A case study of Shuiyindong gold mine

Abstract

The Shuiyindong gold mine in Guizhou is used as a case study in this paper to study patterns of dust pollution occurring with traditional electric-rake operation. In particular, the study uses the northern quarry of the twenty-third line in the first middle section of the second mining area and establishes a three-dimensional simulation model of equal size. It uses Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to simulate and analyse the airflow traces and distribution of dust concentration in the relevant roadway during each stage of the electric-rake operation. The simulation results show that the airflow in the working roadway has a spiral movement and produces reverse dirty-wind circulation towards the end. Dust flows out of the working roadway from the 8th second of operation, and dust concentration reaches a peak in the working roadway at the 12th second of operation at an average dust concentration of 37.5 mg/m³. The dust concentration drops rapidly from the 120th second and reaches the maximum dust concentration permitted for operation at the 180th second of operation. The validity of the simulation is tested by comparing the actual measured data at the site with the simulation results. Finally, the simulation results are analysed using violent Python, and the solution is used to divide the roadway into areas according to the human breathing range. The paper analyses the distribution of dust concentration at an average human breathing height, providing an established theoretical basis for dust-control work in mines.