Numerical simulation of influencing factors on dust movement during coal cutting at fully mechanized working faces

To resolve the problem of high dust concentration during the process of coal cutting at fully-mechanized working faces and obtain rational dust control parameters, as well as to meliorate working conditions, considering No. 2225 working face in Xingdong Mine as a research background, numerical simulation was performed using FLUENT software to track dust movement laws during coal cutting at the fully-mechanized working face based on the theory of gas-solid two-phase flow. Compared with the actual dust concentration distribution in the mine, the simulation results are basically consistent with the actual data. The wind velocity at the fully-mechanized working face, shearer drum rotation speed, valve speed, and wall condition mainly affect the dust concentration distribution at the fully-mechanized working face. It is concluded that the dust removal effect is better when the average wind velocity is 1. 4 m·s^-1, the drum rotation speed is no more than 2. 5 rad·s^-1, and the valve speed is less than 1. 5 m·s^-1. Meanwhile, sprinkling water, which can keep the coal wall moist, plays a significant role in capturing dust.