VENTILATING THE OPEN-PIT MINE USING THE ENERGY OF THERMAL FORCES.

Abstract

The document examines the effects of thermal forces and wind flow on the ventilation of open-pit mines. It discusses convective and inversion ventilation schemes, their formation conditions, and air movement characteristics within the pit. The text explains how heating of pit walls, wind speed, and additional heat sources influence convective flows, including air velocity distribution along pit benches. It also describes the formation of inversion layers due to radiational cooling of pit walls and low wind energy, and the consequences for air exchange and pollution distribution. The study highlights that convective flows enhance ventilation and pollutant removal, whereas inversion flows are laminar, causing accumulation of dust and gases, which worsens sanitary conditions. Key parameters such as temperature gradients, air velocity, and energy coefficients are introduced to quantify the ventilation processes.