Dust Mitigation for Mines via CFD Modeling

Dust Mitigation for Mines via CFD Modeling A short video featuring Dr. Kevin Linfield. Mining operations can generate large amounts of particulate, and efforts to control it represent a significant amount of operational cost. Dust can become a problem anytime an operation transports, refines, or otherwise processes a dry material. CFD modeling is an effective way to both evaluate current dust mitigation systems and design new solutions. Modeling can eliminate trial and error in the field and help ensure that new designs will be effective, even with varying external conditions. Dust is often generated at transfer points in a conveyor system. Models of these systems can help identify the best way to maintain a tight material stream and minimize air velocities causing re-entrainment. Modeling can show how system parameters affect dust creation, such as drop height, belt speed, and the placement of chute walls and deflector plates. Simple changes may greatly reduce fugitive dust by controlling the flow of material in a way that decreases air velocity while maintaining the optimal speed of raw material. This example shows the elimination of a high velocity jet with a transfer chute redesign. Rail cars take the ore from the mine to a port for transportation overseas or to another facility for processing. Trains many miles long bring coal to power plants to provide electrical power for millions of people. Maximizing dust suppression is often a goal of flow modeling these open-top rail cars. This image shows the velocity profile over an empty ore car. Any exposed area at a mine is subject to dust generation and wind erosion, including stockpiles, tailing piles, haul roads, and exposed product surfaces. Modeling can evaluate the various placement options and parameters for minimizing fugitive dust, as well as optimizing water spraying techniques, wetting systems, water cannons, or any dust suppressant application. CFD is also a powerful tool when considering the location, height, and porosity of wind fences. In this example, a large, external flow model helps show areas of wind acceleration over a tailing pile. For more information on flow modeling, please contact Airflow Sciences. Thank you, and have a wonderful day. Copyright Airflow Sciences Corporation. With contributions by Kelly Hile, and Dr. Kevin Linfield, P.Eng., P.E.