Control of Dust Pollution in Roadway Excavation and Optimization of Dust Removal Ventilation Parameters

Abstract

Rock drilling of face 1703 of section 185 of the Ashele Copper Mine was used to study dust migration, control, and reduction during excavation. Fluent numerical simulation and theoretical analysis methods were used to study dust pollution during excavation. An orthogonal experiment was carried out to optimize the ventilation parameters of the excavation face and assess the effect of the main parameters (the cross-section size of the air inlet duct, the location of the end face of the roadway inlet duct and air inlet rate of the excavation face) on dust reduction and control. The experimental results show that the ventilation parameters that were most significant in reducing and controlling the dust pollution were the excavation face air inlet rate. A range analysis showed that the most reasonable ventilation parameters were an air inlet rate of the excavation face of 13 m/s, the location of the end face of the roadway inlet duct of 4 m, and the cross-section size of the air inlet was 0.9 m. A comparison of the original and optimized ventilation schemes showed that the dust pollution in the excavation face and the respiratory area decreased significantly. The effectiveness of the optimized parameters was further checked through field tests. Finally, by dividing the activity areas of underground workers in the roadway and further calculating and analyzing the dust concentration in the breathing area of underground workers based on Python deep data mining, providing theoretical assistance for dust control. The results of this study provide assistance to mining personnel in understanding the transportation patterns of dust and airflow during on-site operations, clarifying the impact of adjusting relevant ventilation parameters on dust pollution control at the work site, and deeply understanding the distribution of dust concentration at personnel breathing heights. In addition, as many working roadways in metal mines are similar to single head roadways, the relevant results of this study can provide some reference for dust control in similar working faces. Based on the results of this study, further research will be carried out in the future in combination with dust control measures such as intelligent damper and spray systems to improve the efficiency of dust pollution control and optimize the mine operating environment.