Project Info

1:40 Scale Longwall Mine Model for Explosion Studies

Jürgen Brune | jbrune@mines.edu and Gregory Bogin | gbogin@mines.edu

We are constructing a 1:40 scaled model of an underground coal mining operation where we will conduct ventilation air flow and gas mixing studies in order to determine where to install methane sensors to prevent mine explosions.

Elucidate the interdisciplinary nature of the project

This is a project funded by CDC NIOSH and jointly led by Drs. Bogin (MechE) and Brune (MinE). We are combining knowledge about mining with knowledge about fluid dynamics and explosion kinetics. We perform both scaled, physical experiments and numerical modeling studies using ANSYS Fluent computational fluid dynamics software. we use 3-D printing to manufacture the mining equipment and remote controls to actuate and operate equipment components

More Information

Saki*, SA; Brune, JF; Gilmore*, RC; Bogin, GE; Jr., Grubb, JW; Marts*, JA (2017): CFD Study of Face Ventilation Effect on CH4 in Returns and EGZs in Progressively Sealed Longwall Gobs, J South African Institute for Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM), v. 117 March 2017, p. 257-262, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/2017/v117n3a7
Brune, JF and Saki, SA (2017): Prevention of gob ignitions and explosions in longwall mining using dynamic seals, Int J Min Sci Technol., online 12 July 2017, 5 p., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2017.06.026
YouTube videos: Search “Longwall Mine Model”

Grand Engineering Challenge: Not applicable