Numerical simulation of dust control technology for longwall working face with convective air curtain

A convection-type air curtain dust control system and method were proposed to effectively control the high dust concentrations generated during the operation of coal miners and hydraulic supports and to reduce the dust concentration in the entire working space of longwall work surfaces, and the effectiveness of air curtain dust control during single process operation was investigated through numerical simulation. The results showed that when the miner was working alone, there was a significant difference in the concentration distribution inside and outside the dust-proof air curtain, with significantly lower dust concentrations in the area where the miner drivers were operating compared to both sides, with an average dust mass concentration of around 420 mg/m³. Dust concentrations increased to about 700 mg/m³, but large amounts of dust were prevented from diffusing downwind. This indicates that the dust reduction effect is more pronounced after the equipment is opened, which can improve the working environment and reduce the probability of dust combustion and explosion accidents.