Multi-physics mechanisms of dust diffusion influenced by heavy truck speed

Heavy trucks operating in open-pit coal mines generate large amounts of dust, posing significant threats to human health and the atmosphere. Understanding the dust diffusion characteristics caused by the movement of heavy trucks from a mechanistic perspective is an important step toward achieving effective dust suppression. Therefore, based on the computational fluid dynamics method, this study elucidates the influence of truck speed on the surrounding physical fields and dust diffusion under oblique wind conditions. The results show that as the truck speed increases, both the airflow field and pressure difference around the truck increase; a negative-pressure zone exists between the front and rear wheels of the truck, accompanied by high turbulence intensity, leading to local dust accumulation. Under oblique wind conditions, more dust is lifted on the right side of the truck, but the dust diffuses faster. When the truck speed decreases from 8 to 6 m/s, the dust concentration in the main operation area decreases by more than 60%. Considering comprehensive transportation efficiency and dust hazards, a truck speed of 6 m/s is recommended. The research results provide a theoretical basis for formulating dust control strategies for truck transportation in open-pit mines.