Aerodynamic drag design for project mine shafts using methods of computational fluid dynamics

The aerodynamic drags in mine shafts are one of the critical parameters of ventilation networks in underground mines. Correct setting of aerodynamic drags defines accuracy of mathematical models of air distribution in mine ventilation networks. It is really difficult to determine the aerodynamic drag factors for the project mine shafts today because of the impossibility of direct full-scale measurements and due to the limited nature of the existing theoretical procedures developed in the mid-1900s. The latter is connected with the fact that, first, these procedures orient by the available reference data limited to the information on mine shafts 5–7 m in diameter, and, second, there is a very little knowledge on drags in shaft with tubing supports. Mine shafts being designed and constructed presently have an internal diameter from 8 to 10 m. For this reason, to determine the aerodynamic drag factors for the modern mine shafts, this article proposes to use the methods of computational fluid dynamics (CFDmodeling). Within the framework of the present study, 3D numerical models were developed for the cage and skip shafts of a project mine, with comprehensive picking of tubing support and project reinforcement. The calculations in Ansys Fluent show that air velocity distribution in a shaft is greatly nonuniform because of the influence of rigid reinforcement spacers. The numerical modeling yields that the aerodynamic drag factors in the cage and skip shafts, with regard to the project reinforcement, equal 0.0202 N·c2/m4 and 0.0514 N·c2/m4, respectively. The article proposes arrangements aimed at reducing the aerodynamic drags in the shafts, namely: realignment of tubing rings, use of concrete lining, reshaping of spacers, application of flexible rope bolting. The comparative analysis of the efficiency of the proposed measures is performed, and the eventually accepted variant of the mine shaft reinforcement allows the decrease in the aerodynamic drag factors by 34 and 44% in the cage and skip shafts, respectively. The inference is deduced on the applicability of CFD-modeling for determining the aerodynamic drags in non-standard mine shafts with regard to various reinforcement schemes.

Levin L. Y., Maltsev S. V., Semin M. A., Kolesov E. V. Aerodynamic drag design for project mine shafts using methods of computational fluid dynamics. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2025;(5):100-117. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2025_5_0_100.

The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation within the framework of the state contract, Projects Nos. 122030100425-6 and 124020500030-7.

L.Y. Levin¹, Corresponding Member of Russian Academy of Sciences, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Deputy Director for Research, Head of Department, e-mail: aerolog_lev@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0767-9207,
S.V. Maltsev¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, Head of Sector, Perm National Research Polytechnic University, Perm, 614990, Russia, e-mail: st.v.maltsev@ya.ru,
ORCID ID: 0009-0002-9887-1455,
M.A. Semin¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Academic Secretary, Head of Laboratory, e-mail: seminma@inbox.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5200-7931,
E.V. Kolesov¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Researcher, e-mail: kolesovev@gmail.com, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0755-7405,
¹ Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, 614007, Russia.

S.V. Maltsev, e-mail: st.v.maltsev@ya.ru.

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