Computer-aided analysis of diesel exhaust dispersions in underground airways

"The dispersion of diesel contaminants into the mine atmosphere is a variant of general class of diffusion-dilution problems relevant to underground mining practice. The equipment operations in underground mining are characterized by different activities with different time duration s, i.e. varying duty cycles. Therefore the volume and quality of diesel emissions and consequently, instantaneous concentrations are quite variable. Design of mine ventilation systems under these conditions becomes complex. In this paper, the development and use of mathematical models of mine production system, the engine exhaust air quality and engine exhaust transport in the design of ventilation system are discussed.IntroductionThe turbulent diffusion of suspended matter in an atmosphere is not only a topic of considerable intrinsic interest to the mathematical physicist and meteorologist, but also a problem of great practical interest. Release of particulate matter into the atmosphere at large has created o ne of the acute problems of the present day. Pollution of environment by industrial and domestic smoke, fumes and grit is widespread and has necessitated extensive studies in order to determine the concentration and distribution of pollutants in various areas. Pollutants discharge from stacks, whether chemical or radioactive, give rise to similar, but more localized, problems. The laws which govern turbulent diffusion in the atmosphere are also applicable to the study of the diffusion of toxic gases and the deposition of radioactive dust from nuclear explosion.The dispersion of diesel contaminants into the mine atmosphere is but a variant of a general class of diffusion-dilution problems relevant to underground mining practice. Most of the mine air pollutants, such as respirable dust, methane, diesel exhaust, and blasting fumes are produced in the face areas and haulage ways. Understanding of their dispersion in the mine airways is important to calculate their concentrations. In this paper, the development and use of mathematical models of mine production system, the engine exhaust air quality and engine exhaust transport are discussed. The over-all objective of this research effort is to evaluate the impacts of dieselization on production and ventilation systems and to aid in mine planning and design, as shown in the flow model in Figure I."