Construction of Microclimatic Zone Based on Convection–Radiation System for Local Cooling in Deep Mines
As global mineral resources at shallow depths continue to deplete, thermal hazards have emerged as a critical challenge in deep mining operations. Conventional localized cooling systems suffer from a fundamental inefficiency where their cooling capacity is rapidly dissipated by the main ventilation...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Xiangru Chen Xiaodong Wang Hui Wang |
| author_facet | Xiangru Chen Xiaodong Wang Hui Wang |
| author_sort | Xiangru Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As global mineral resources at shallow depths continue to deplete, thermal hazards have emerged as a critical challenge in deep mining operations. Conventional localized cooling systems suffer from a fundamental inefficiency where their cooling capacity is rapidly dissipated by the main ventilation airstream. This study introduces the innovative concept of a “microclimatic circulation zone” implemented through a convection–radiation cooling system. The design incorporates a synergistic arrangement of dual fans and flow-guiding baffles that creates a semi-enclosed air circulation field surrounding the modular convection–radiation cooling apparatus, effectively preventing cooling capacity loss to the primary ventilation flow. The research develops comprehensive theoretical models characterizing both internal and external heat transfer mechanisms of the modular convection–radiation cooling system. Using Fluent computational fluid dynamics software, we constructed an integrated heat–moisture–flow coupled numerical model that identified optimal operating parameters: refrigerant velocity of 0.2 m/s, inlet airflow velocity of 0.45 m/s, and outlet aperture height of 70 mm. Performance evaluation conducted at a mining operation in Yunnan Province utilized the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index as the assessment criterion. Results demonstrate that the enhanced microclimatic circulation system exhibits superior cooling retention capabilities, with a 19.83% increase in refrigeration power and merely 3% cooling capacity dissipation at a 7 m distance, compared to 19.23% in the conventional system. Thermal field analysis confirms that the improved configuration successfully establishes a stable microclimatic circulation zone with significantly more concentrated low-temperature regions. This effectively addresses the principal limitation of conventional systems where conditioned air is readily dispersed by the main ventilation current. The approach presented offers a novel technological pathway for localized thermal environment management in deep mining operations affected by heat stress conditions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0fcf1f7eee3144acb2af55bdae190607 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-0fcf1f7eee3144acb2af55bdae1906072025-06-25T13:45:21ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-06-011812302910.3390/en18123029Construction of Microclimatic Zone Based on Convection–Radiation System for Local Cooling in Deep MinesXiangru Chen0Xiaodong Wang1Hui Wang2Faculty of Land Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaFaculty of Land Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaFaculty of Land Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaAs global mineral resources at shallow depths continue to deplete, thermal hazards have emerged as a critical challenge in deep mining operations. Conventional localized cooling systems suffer from a fundamental inefficiency where their cooling capacity is rapidly dissipated by the main ventilation airstream. This study introduces the innovative concept of a “microclimatic circulation zone” implemented through a convection–radiation cooling system. The design incorporates a synergistic arrangement of dual fans and flow-guiding baffles that creates a semi-enclosed air circulation field surrounding the modular convection–radiation cooling apparatus, effectively preventing cooling capacity loss to the primary ventilation flow. The research develops comprehensive theoretical models characterizing both internal and external heat transfer mechanisms of the modular convection–radiation cooling system. Using Fluent computational fluid dynamics software, we constructed an integrated heat–moisture–flow coupled numerical model that identified optimal operating parameters: refrigerant velocity of 0.2 m/s, inlet airflow velocity of 0.45 m/s, and outlet aperture height of 70 mm. Performance evaluation conducted at a mining operation in Yunnan Province utilized the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index as the assessment criterion. Results demonstrate that the enhanced microclimatic circulation system exhibits superior cooling retention capabilities, with a 19.83% increase in refrigeration power and merely 3% cooling capacity dissipation at a 7 m distance, compared to 19.23% in the conventional system. Thermal field analysis confirms that the improved configuration successfully establishes a stable microclimatic circulation zone with significantly more concentrated low-temperature regions. This effectively addresses the principal limitation of conventional systems where conditioned air is readily dispersed by the main ventilation current. The approach presented offers a novel technological pathway for localized thermal environment management in deep mining operations affected by heat stress conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/12/3029deep mining engineeringlocalized cooling technologythermal environment managementconvection–radiation refrigeration |
| spellingShingle | Xiangru Chen Xiaodong Wang Hui Wang Construction of Microclimatic Zone Based on Convection–Radiation System for Local Cooling in Deep Mines Energies deep mining engineering localized cooling technology thermal environment management convection–radiation refrigeration |
| title | Construction of Microclimatic Zone Based on Convection–Radiation System for Local Cooling in Deep Mines |
| title_full | Construction of Microclimatic Zone Based on Convection–Radiation System for Local Cooling in Deep Mines |
| title_fullStr | Construction of Microclimatic Zone Based on Convection–Radiation System for Local Cooling in Deep Mines |
| title_full_unstemmed | Construction of Microclimatic Zone Based on Convection–Radiation System for Local Cooling in Deep Mines |
| title_short | Construction of Microclimatic Zone Based on Convection–Radiation System for Local Cooling in Deep Mines |
| title_sort | construction of microclimatic zone based on convection radiation system for local cooling in deep mines |
| topic | deep mining engineering localized cooling technology thermal environment management convection–radiation refrigeration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/12/3029 |
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