An experimental validation of a turbulence model for air flow in a mining chamber

In copper mines, excavation chambers are ventilated by jet fans. A fan installed at the inlet of the dead-end chamber, which is usually 20-30 m long. The effectiveness of ventilation depends on the stream range generated by the fan. Currently, the parameters of 3D air flows are determined using the CFD approach. This paper presents the results of experimental testing numerical simulations of air flow in a laboratory model of blind channel, aired by a forced ventilation system. Based on this study, we can conclude that the RSM model provides better predictions than the standard kappa-epsilon model. Good qualitative agreement is achieve between Reynolds Stress model predictions and measured components of the velocity.