Three-dimensional Simulation Of Dust Diffusion In Open Pit Mine And Dust Removal Technology

This study focuses on the use of computational fluid dynamics(CFD)to model the dispersion of fugitive dust in open pit mines,with the goal of enhancing safety in mining operations.The three-dimensional CFD simulations provide a detailed analysis of the complex flow fields and dust transport mechanisms within the mine,which can be used to identify potential high dust concentration and optimize dust suppression strategies.The research’s objective is to determine the dust contamination levels within the vicinity of kalumbila open pit copper mine and then use FLUENT software to analyse how air flow develops within the pit.The dust management and control technologies are recommended.Dust Trak II was used to monitor real time dust concentrations in the mine area vicinity,while dust dispersion modelling using FLUENT software predicated the emission rate of the dust.The case study was conducted at Kalumbila Copper mine found in Zambia with an average production of 223,656T/yr.For monitoring,various sources of dust production in the mine,including haul routes,loading spots,blast,and drilling operations,were selected.Results shows that drilling produced the highest concentration of 11.100 mg/m~3,blasting with 4.860 mg/m~3,loading site had0.958mg/m~3,haul route 0.487mg/m~3,transport route with 0.642mg/m~3 and the dump site had 8.350 mg/m~3.The simulation results from FLUENT software indicated that the formation of atmospheric air temperature inversion inside the domains during the winter conditions resulted in a very high retention of fugitive dust particles.The winter season’s modelling findings demonstrate significant dust particle trapping in the domain.For the duration of the simulation run,only a small percentage of particles(less than 30%)are transferred outside the model domain.Almost all of the dust particles(more than 95%)are transported out of the open-pit domains by the airflow during summer circumstances as a result of the establishment of a convective(unstable)boundary layer inside the domains.Fugitive dust particles are shown to leave the conical open-pit domain more quickly than the trapezoidal area.To assist mineral extraction and processing industries satisfy planning requirements and environmental compliance for fugitive dust emissions,a range of dust-control systems have been developed.Chemical,biological,and physical dust suppression techniques were categorized into groups that can be used to manage various types and sizes of dust.Computational fluid dynamics(CFD)has proven to be a valuable tool for simulating the dispersion of fugitive dust in open pit mines,and there are several promising research prospects for future work in this area.