Theoretical analysis of the influence of distributed heat sources on the stability of air flow in inclined mine workings

Introduction: This study examines airflow in an inclined mine working containing a distributed heat source, a condition relevant for understanding ventilation dynamics under emergency scenarios. Materials and Methods: Unsteady turbulent airflow in the mine working was numerically modeled. The simulation considered thermal convection effects on airflow patterns, including partially recirculating flows near the roof of the working. Results: The transverse velocity profile of the airflow was found to be highly non-uniform along the height, exhibiting a nonlinear dependence on the vertical coordinate. Moreover, this profile remained relatively stable over the length of the working. The effective longitudinal dispersion coefficient, influenced by thermal convection, was evaluated. Discussion: Results indicate that the effective dispersion coefficient can surpass the values of turbulent diffusion and Taylor dispersion under similar unidirectional airflow conditions. This finding highlights the importance of accounting for thermal effects in mine ventilation scenarios. Conclusion: Thermal convection introduces significant complexity to airflow dynamics in mine workings, affecting both velocity profiles and dispersion behavior. Resume: Numerical modeling provides valuable insights into the interplay between thermal convection and airflow dynamics, critical for designing ventilation strategies in emergency and operational conditions. Suggestions for Practical Applications and Directions for Future Research: The findings can inform ventilation system design and optimization, particularly under scenarios involving significant heat generation. Future studies should investigate these effects under varying geometries and ventilation strategies, as well as integrate multi-component gas flow analyses.