Study on the distribution characteristics of dust with different particle sizes under forced ventilation in a heading face

Coal mines face a significant situation with regard to dust control. Numerical simulation was used in this paper to study the distribution of dust of different particle sizes in a specific case, as well as the influence of changing the supply airflow velocity on the dust distribution. The findings demonstrate that the airflow primarily migrates from the return air side to the air inlet side and the exit, with the intensity of the airflow decreasing as the distance increases. The amount of dust is high in the area with a strong airflow and low in other areas, and dust of different particle sizes is separated gradually. Increasing the supply air velocity has a greater effect on large dust particles than on small dust particles under the conditions and air speed range studied in this paper. Reasonable reduction of the supply air velocity can effectively reduce the amount of suspended dust. [Display omitted] •Dust of different particle sizes will be separated in the airflow.•The airflow intensity on the return side is higher than that on the inlet side.•Proper reduction in the airspeed is conducive to dedust.