Numerical simulation of the dust pollution characteristics and the optimal dustproof air volume in coal washing plant screening workshop

Abstract

Dust pollution generated during the working process of a screening workshop in a coal washing plant seriously threatens the occupational health of workers. To improve the working environment for workers, we investigated the effects of various airflow parameters on the diffusion of dust particles and pollutants. We established a proportional model of the screening workshop and conducted spatiotemporal analysis of the evolution laws of airflow and particulate matter. We used numerical simulation and on-site measurements to obtain the optimal dust removal air flow rate in a coal washing plant workshop. When the air flow rate is between 360 and 1260 m³/min, the overall dust concentration in the workshop and the average dust mass concentration in the breathing zone decrease significantly as the air flow rate increases. However, if the air flow rate is too high, this can cause re-entrainment of dust, which will pollute the operation area again. The optimum dust removal airflow for the inlet air was 1260 m³/min. This air flow rate decreases the dust at the height of the breathing zone in the working area, and the dust concentration at the sidewalk in the working area decreases by 58.82%. This air flow rate can act as a reference value for workshop ventilation design to provide a clean and safe production environment for coal miners. Our methodology and results are of value the formulation and development of effective dust control and clean production technologies.