Evaluation of a proposed and an existing dust ventilation/collection system in an underground mine crushing plant

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling of two alternative dust collection systems in an underground mine-crushing plant was carried out. In the proposed system, dust was collected/absorbed through the holes along the top edge of the Run of Mine (ROM) bin. In the existing conventional approach, the outgoing dust laden air is collected through an exit in the ceiling. The dust collection performances of both systems were summarized. Detail results are presented in the form of velocity vectors and dust concentration iso-surface contours. Dust was found to be well contained within the crusher bin for the proposed system and stands out as a viable option. However, the velocity magnitudes were found to be high in and around the hole exits, which has the potential to lead to undesirable pressure drop and generation of noise.