Exposure to Diesel Particulate Matter studies in Underground mines and its Computational Fluid Dynamic Modelling

Faculty-development competitive research grants program for 2023-2025

Diesel engines in underground mines are the main sources of hazardous gases (CO, CO2, NOX, SO2, hydrocarbons (HC)) and submicron particles known as diesel particulate matter (DPM). All sources of DPM have the same physical characteristics, with the major elements being elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC), created by incomplete combustion. In untreated exhaust, the connection between EC and OC fractions depends on engine running circumstances, engine type, fuel type, and several other factors. The total carbon (TC) value is obtained by summing the EC and OC concentrations, and it generally accounts for 80% of the DPM. Only 5-10% of all DPM are greater than one micrometer in diameter. Particulate Matter (PM1) concentration is commonly thought to be used as a DPM level since it is the size range that encompasses practically all DPM. Mine ventilation, diesel emission rate, exhaust flow direction, and drift face shape will influence DPM concentrations and dispersions. Mobile diesel equipment operators have the highest exposure to DPM. The project purpose is to study exposure to DPM in underground mines and produce models for simulation the DPM concentrations and distributions using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modelling.
This study will provide a comprehensive evaluation of air quality in underground mines. Briefly, we will produce sampling to characterize particle emissions including the size, mass, number, morphology and composition, and gas concentrations during WP1. WP2 will provide CFD models to simulate distribution and concentration of toxic gases and DPM for optimization of auxiliary ventilation systems used in underground mines. There is no research exists in the literature on optimisation of mine ventilation system based on DPM concentrations and distributions requirements to air quality in Kazakhstan and over Central Asia. Also, the particle characterization and gas concentrations data will be utilized for the statistical analyses in WP2. Additionally, it will offer an optimisation methodology of auxiliary ventilation system to reduce the exposure of the mine workers to DPM and toxic gases produced during mining activities.