Fundamental understanding of diesel-operated man riding vehicle DPM dispersion - a case study

In this paper, an attempt has been made to model DPM flow patterns in the vicinity of man riding vehicle(s) operating in a coal mine environment. The DPM flow patterns are modelled using the techniques of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and validated using field experimental measurements. The models show that if the vehicle is stationary, DPM particles are dispersed towards the center of gallery. Beyond 20m downstream of the vehicle, the DPM particles occupy the entire cross-section of the roadway. If movement of the vehicle is considered, the miners may be exposed to a high concentration of DPM due to the engines running at full capacity and the resultant air flow induced by the movement of the vehicle.