Numerical simulation analysis of a combined wind-fog dust removal device in return air roadways based on an orthogonal test

To solve the problem of the high concentration of dust produced in fully mechanized mining faces, which causes pollution of the return air roadway and endangers the health of workers, we developed a combined wind-fog dust removal device. FLUENT and CFD-POST software were used for numerical simulation, to analyze the influence of spray pressure Pw, nozzle aperture D and suction air volume Q on the droplet size and the droplet concentration. The results showed that Pw = 8 MPa, D = 2.4 mm and Q = 1.4 m3/s was the optimal parameter combinations. Then, field measurement was carried out in the Jinjitan 117 fully mechanized mining face. The results showed that the dust concentration at measuring point C was 0.183 mg/m3, and the dust removal rate was 90.28%, indicating that the dust removal effect of the device was significant, and that the dust pollution problem could be effectively solved.