Optimization of the operating parameters for radon reduction on brattice induced cavern ventilation using CFD

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Environmental Engineering
• Geology

Background:

• Underground caverns pose significant radon exposure risks to workers due to continuous radon release from surrounding rock.
• Effective ventilation strategies are essential for safe production and maintaining occupational health in these environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of brattice ventilation parameters on radon concentration in caverns.
• To optimize brattice-induced ventilation for effective radon control in underground spaces.

Main Methods:

• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was employed to simulate airflow and radon dispersion.
• The study analyzed the influence of brattice length and brattice-to-wall width on radon levels.

Main Results:

• Brattice-induced ventilation significantly reduces average radon concentration compared to no auxiliary ventilation.
• Optimized brattice parameters were identified for effective radon mitigation.

Conclusions:

• Brattice-induced ventilation is a viable and effective method for reducing radon levels in underground caverns.
• This research provides valuable insights for designing local radon-reducing ventilation systems in similar environments.