CFD simulations of DPM flow patterns generated by vehicles in underground mines for different air flow and exhaust pipe directions

In this paper, an attempt is made to model diesel particulate matter (DPM) flows generated by load haul dumpers (LHDs) and trucks in an underground mine environment for different DPM flow and intake air flow directions and exhaust pipe directions. The results obtained show that the DPM concentration near the vehicle was dependent on exhaust pipe location and direction. If the exhaust pipe is located at the rear or the top of the vehicle, the vehicle operator may be susceptible to exposure to high concentrations of DPM. If the exhaust pipe is located at the bottom of the vehicle, the operator is less likely to be exposed to high concentrations of DPM. Finally, at 10 m downstream of the loading bay the very high concentrations DPM particles tend to spread over the entire cross section of the roadway.