Research on the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of suspended dust under turbulent disturbance effects: Considering the complex factors of dynamic cutting and mobile transport

Mechanization in coal mining has increased dust levels in tunnels. This study employs a dynamic mesh method to simulate the real-time environmental conditions of machines operating in tunnels. The aim is to investigate the effect of drum rotation and shuttle car movements on dust motion characteristics. Results show that these dynamic motions create significant disturbed airflow around the machine, thereby reduces the high dust concentration area to the right of the drum,the continuous movement of shuttle car facilitates dust accumulation in surrounding areas, leading to the segregation of dust and a shift of the separation zone towards the tunnel exit. Dust in the breathing area of continuous mining drivers is mainly concentrated in 60–70 μm, constituting 24 % of the total dust, while dust in the shuttle car driver's breathing zone is predominantly 20–30 μm, making up 25.6 %. The dust concentration curve for the shuttle car driver at various positions follows the equation Y = 1997.61e-x/9.96+29.54. The average dust concentrations for continuous mining driver and shuttle car driver are 615.16 mg/m3 and 125.21 mg/m3, respectively. These findings provide a basis for developing future dust protection strategies and cleaner production.