Venturi Effects Induced by the Local Ventilation Fan in Large-Opening Room-and-Pillar Mining Sites

Abstract

In large-opening room-and-pillar mining sites, particularly without the devices for the ventilation control, the airflow pattern created by the local fan operation is too complicated to quantify and also shows low ventilation efficiency. This study aims at performing a series of CFD analysis for the so-called venturi effects of the local fans; the effects of increasing airflow rate along the axis downstream of fan resulting from increased kinetic energy and subsequently decreased static pressure in the downstream. Effects of the fan type and installation height are compared. 1 vane-axial fan and 2 propeller fans are analyzed for their venturi effects, while the vane-axial fan was installed at the height of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0m for comparison. The results can be applied to improve the economy and efficiency of local fans for securing better air quality and work environment management.