Design of a double-blade swirl wet dust collector for comprehensive mining faces

To address the issue of low dust collection efficiency of dust collectors currently used in the environment of coal mine comprehensive mining faces, a double-blade swirl wet dust collector was designed. The dust collector was mainly composed of an annular spray device, double swirl blades, and baffle mist eliminators, with the double swirl blades designed to provide greater centrifugal force and thus improve dust collection efficiency. A numerical simulation method was used to analyze the effects of nozzle diameter, spray pressure, blade installation angle, and blade rotational speed on dust collection efficiency. Based on the response surface methodology, a multivariable regression equation was established between dust collection efficiency and the four influencing factors. The optimal parameters for maximum dust collection efficiency were determined as follows: blade installation angle of 37°, rotational speed of 1550 r/min, spray pressure of 1.9 MPa, and nozzle diameter of 2 mm. Using these parameters, a virtual prototype of the double-blade swirl wet dust collector was established, and simulation results showed that the dust collection efficiency of the dust collector reached 97.21%. After the installation of the dust collector, the dust concentration in the breathing zone of workers on the return air side of the tunnel significantly decreased. Tests on a dust collection experimental platform and in a simulated tunnel indicated that the average dust collection efficiency of the dust collector was 94.80%. After the application of the dust collector, the average dust concentration at the breathing zone of workers on the return air side of the tunnel decreased from 441.29 mg/m3 to 269.14 mg/m3, a reduction of 39.0%.