Optimization study of cooling parameters of the high-temperature working face in underground engineering

Abstract

To address the escalating thermal risks and suboptimal cooling capacity distribution of centralized refrigeration systems in large-width faces, this study developed a specialized “high-efficiency air cooler for working faces” and introduced an innovative cooperative cooling strategy integrating air coolers, dust suppression water, and emulsion (A-D-E system). Numerical simulations and field measurements were conducted to evaluate the thermal environment under both traditional cooling methods and the A-D-E synergistic approach. The analysis revealed that, for a 250 m-wide mining face, optimal cooling performance was achieved by strategically placing five air coolers along a gradient. Employing the A-D-E system reduced the average face temperature by 8 K and expanded the comfort zone to cover 96 % of the working area. This approach effectively mitigates excessive heat challenges in large-width faces, enhances the utilization of coolant resources in centralized refrigeration units, and provides a forward-looking framework for advancing cooling strategies in deep mining operations.