CFD simulation of methane dispersion and innovative methane management in underground mining faces |
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Authors: | Jundika C Kurnia Agus P Sasmito Arun S Mujumdar |
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Institution: | 1. Minerals Metals and Material Technology Centre, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117576, Singapore;2. Mechanical Engineering, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 54334, United Arab Emirates;3. Department of Mining, Metals and Materials Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B2, Canada;4. Department of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University, 111 Lakeshore Road Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec H9X 3V9, Canada |
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Abstract: | This study addresses methane dispersion in a mine tunnel with discrete methane sources and various methods to handle it. Air flow behavior and methane dispersion in the tunnel are simulated utilizing the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. Various possible conditions which may occur in a mine tunnel are investigated. Simulation results indicate that methane dispersion inside the mine tunnel is influenced significantly by the number as well as location of the sources and quantity of methane released from each source. Furthermore, application of an innovative flow divider which comprises volumetric flow control and flow director, is investigated. It is found that by properly directing the ventilation flow to the location where methane is accumulating can reduce methane concentration below the safe level. In addition, it is noted that focusing the ventilation flow at a point is more effective as compared to dispersing it at several points. This study provides some new ideas for designing an “intelligent” underground mine ventilation system which can cost-effectively maintain methane concentration below the critical value. |
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Keywords: | Discrete sources Flow divider Methane emission Underground mine Ventilation |
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