Resumen

FEROZE, T.  y  GENC, B.. Estimating the effects of line brattice ventilation system variables in an empty heading in room and pillar mining using CFD. J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall. [online]. 2016, vol.116, n.12, pp.1143-1152. ISSN 2411-9717.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/2016/v116n12a8.

The ventilation of underground coal mines plays an important role in minimizing the risk of methane and coal dust explosions. The ability of ventilation, with the use of line brattices (LBs), to remove methane and coal dust in empty headings is dependent on the amount of air leaving the LB and entering the heading. The quantity of this air depends on the associated system variables, namely heading dimensions, settings of the LB, and velocity of air in the last through road (LTR). However, the exact effect of these system variables on the flow rate at the exit of the LB in an empty heading is not known. The installation of LBs in South African coal mines is generally carried out based on experience. This can result in over-or under-ventilation and may increase the cost of providing ventilation or cause accidents, respectively. In this paper, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), the air flow rate at the exit of the LB in an empty heading was estimated using full-scale three-dimensional models. The CFD model used was validated using experimental results Firstly, the settings of these three system variables were varied, the flow rates at the exit of the LB were measured, and finally the results were used to calculate the effect of each system variable. The outcome is a mathematical formula that can be used to estimate air flow rate at the exit of the LB in empty headings for any practical scenario. This paper will help the coal mining sector in South Africa by providing estimation models based on scientific reasoning for the installation of LBs, and will also serve academia as part of the curriculum towards educating future mining engineers.

Palabras clave : ventilation; coal mines; line brattice; CFD.

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