Study on Methane Distribution in the Face Zone of the Fully Mechanized Roadway with Overlap Auxiliary Ventilation System

Dariusz Obracaj, Marek Korzec and Paweł Deszcz
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Dariusz Obracaj: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Marek Korzec: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Paweł Deszcz: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Kraków, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-23

Abstract: An overlap auxiliary ventilation system is very often used for driving roadways in methane-rich coal seams. An overlap zone between the outlets of the forcing duct ends with a whirl flow air-duct (WFAD) and the exhaust duct ends with a dust scrubber that is created by applying the overlap system. This study examines the distribution of methane concentrations at various distances in the overlap zone. Maintaining a long overlap zone could increase the advance of the face. Therefore, the impact of overlap zone length on the methane concentration distribution, in and beyond the overlap zone, is investigated. The evaluation of methane concentrations is performed utilizing a well-established computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. The mathematical model of methane emissions into the roadway is adopted. Moreover, the CFD model is validated. A vortex of the return air, caused by the free airstream flowing out of the dust scrubber, is found. This air vortex is responsible for higher methane concentrations at the end of the overlap zone. Therefore, the conclusion can be drawn that maintaining the length of the overlap zone at 5 m to 10 m should be done to control permissible methane concentrations.

Keywords: mine ventilation; auxiliary ventilation system; forcing with exhaust overlap ventilation system; CFD modelling; methane concentrations; airflow patterns (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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