A numerical simulation study on the distribution of cutting dust and airflow in a fully mechanized mine face based on rotating fluid theory

The turbulent airflow generated by the shearer's rotation has a significant impact on the spread of cutting dust. In this study, the actual shearer drum was used as a physical model, and the MRF method was applied to simulate coal cutting operations with consideration of rotating fluid, accurately reproducing the turbulent airflow generated during cutting. By comparing the different simulation results, it is found that: the wind flow under systematic ventilation is gentle and even, while the cut-off wind flow generated by "inlet" has a great impact on the coal mining area in terms of scope and degree, and the horizontal and vertical dispersion is very strong, with a large amount of wind flow shifting in the range of 17 m < x < 36 m, and the dust mass concentration increasing rapidly; When the MRF method is adopted, the wind flow disperses more gently, and the dust is shifted to the pavement within the ranges of 19 m < x < 25 m and 27 m < x < 36 m, which makes the dust distribution more uniform and continuous in space, and forms a dust belt with high concentration of about 10 m in length on the downwind side of the front drum, which is more in line with the production reality.