Numerical Simulation and Study of the Effect between "Three-Zone" Distribution in Goaf and Air Volume in Working Face

Abstract

We conducted a numerical simulation of oxygen concentration in goaf using Comsol4.3b when the air volume in working face ranges from 500 m3/min to 900m3/min. The result show that with the air volume increasing the oxygen concentration boundary of 18% move to deep goaf in a small scale, while the boundary of 8% move to deep goaf in a large scale and show an exponential relationship, in other words air volume change greatly affect the 8% boundary. The boundary of maximum air leakage and air leakage 0.004% all display an exponential relationship with air volume. But the movement scale of air leakage boundary 0.004% is small. The width of oxidation zone increases obviously with air volume increasing and the relations formula is Lmax= 100.4ln (Q)-25.55ln (Q)-410.4. Draw a conclusion that in ventilation management air volume should be reduced appropriately in order to reduce the width of oxidation zone and slow the speed of moving to deep goaf, thus control spontaneous combustion in goaf.