Vol. 337 No. 2 (2026)
DOI https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2026/2/4881
Thermal processes in the atmosphere of the working space of a combine operator at a deep potash mine with local air conditioning
Mining operations in conditions of great depths are characterized by high temperatures of the rock mass. As a result, mining enterprises are faced with the problem of high air temperatures in working areas, which is a violation of the requirements of the Federal Norms and Rules of the Russian Federation points. Existing research on the normalization of microclimate parameters includes the deployment of large air conditioning systems that can cool both dead-end chambers and large sections of the mine field. The disadvantages of these solutions are inconveniences when rewiring equipment, as well as high operating costs. The aim of the study is to explore the possibility of developing a local air conditioning system, the cooling boundaries of which are the combine cabin and the cabin space. The authors have carried out a list of field studies aimed at investigating the microclimate of the workplaces of machinists of deep potash mine dredging combines. Based on the experimental data, the authors built a three-dimensional model of a dead-end mine with equipment located in it. According to previously performed calculations, it was revealed that the suction ventilation method allows normalizing the dust situation in dead-end combine mine workings of potash mines. In this regard, the paper considers various options for the placement of air conditioning system deflectors in combination with different methods of ventilation of dead-end workings. The simulation results showed that the greatest efficiency of cooling the workplace of the combine operator is observed with the suction method of ventilation, when the deflectors of the cooling system are directed perpendicular to the wall of the workings. The data obtained are the basis for more detailed calculations of the required parameters of the local air cooling system and further development of equipment.
Keywords:
potash mine, microclimate, air conditioning, mining combine, suction ventilation method, modeling, safety
References:
1. Rotanova V.A., Vlasova A.A., Toropova A.I., Makarova K.S., Kokareva M.E. Potash fertilizers: application features. Modern scientific research and innovation, 2019, no. 7 (99), pp. 10–12. (In Russ.)
2. Gendler S.G. Features of thermal calculations of mining workings in development systems with a hardening bookmark. Izv. vuzov. Mining journal, 1981, no. 11, pp. 19–23. (In Russ.)
3. Gendler S.G. Thermal regime of underground structures. Leningrad, Leningrad State Institute named after G.V. Plekhanov Publ. House, 1987. 102 p. (In Russ.)
4. Goncharov S.A., Dmitriev A.P. Thermodynamic processes in rocks. Moscow, Nedra Publ., 1990. 360 p. (In Russ.)
5. Zaitsev A.V., Polyakov I.V. Ensuring safe working conditions in underground mine workings by the microclimate factor: new results and research directions. Mountain Echo, 2021, no. 3, pp. 89–96. (In Russ.)
6. Shuvalov Yu.V. Regulation of the thermal regime of mines and mines of the North: resource-saving systems. Leningrad, Leningrad University Press, 1988. 196 p. (In Russ.)
7. FNP № 505. Federal norms and rules in the field of industrial safety "Safety rules for mining and processing of solid minerals", approved by Order of the Federal Service for Environmental, Technological and Nuclear Supervision dated 2020. Moscow, Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, 2020. 286 p. (In Russ.)
8. Greth A., Roghanchi P., Kocsis C. A review of cooling system practices and their applicability to deep and hot underground US mines. Proceedings of the 16th North American Mine Ventilation Symposium. Golden, 2017. Vol. 11, рp. 1–9.
9. Arens V.Zh., Dmitriev A.P., Dyadkin Yu.D. Thermophysical aspects of the development of subsurface resources. Leningrad, Nedra, L.O. Publ., 1988. 336 p (In Russ.)
10. Shcherban A.N., Kremnev O.A. Scientific foundations of calculation and regulation of the thermal regime of deep mines: in 2 vol. Kiev, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR Publ. House, 1959. Vol. 1, 430 p. (In Russ.)
11. Zaitsev A.V. Scientific bases of calculation and management of thermal regime of underground mines. Dr. Diss. Abstract. Perm, 2019. 44 p. (In Russ.)
12. Szlązak N., Obracaj D., Borowski M. Free-cooling in central air-conditioning systems of underground mines. Gornictwo i Geologia, 2009, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 122–131.
13. McPherson M.J. Subsurface ventilation and environmental engineering. Virginia, Chapman & Hall, 2009. 824 p.
14. Mackay L., Bluhm S.J., Van Rensburg J. Refrigeration and cooling concepts for ultra-deep platinum mining. The 4th International Platinum Conference. Platinum in Transition ‘Boom or Bust’. Sun City, South Africa, 2010. pp. 285–292.
15. Bellas I., Tassou S.A. Present and future applications of ice slurries. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2005, vol. 28 (1), pp. 115–121.
16. Isaevich A.G., Semin M.A., Fainubrg G.Z., Alexandrova M.A. On the inefficiency of the injection method of ventilation in solving the problem of normalizing the dust situation in the dead-end face of a potash mine. Occupational safety in industry, 2022, no. 6, pp. 52–59. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.24000/0409-2961-2022-6-52-59
17. ANSYS FLUENT Theory Guide. Release 18.0. Canonsburg, ANSYS, Inc. 2017. 1034 p.
18. Obracaj D., Korzec M., Deszcz P. Study on methane distribution in the face zone of the fully mechanized roadway with overlap auxiliary ventilation system. Energies, 2021, vol. 14 (19), pp. 6379–6379.
19. Adjiski V., Mirakovski D., Despodov Z., Mijalkovski S. Determining optimal distance from outlet of auxiliary forcing ventilation system to development of heading in underground mines. Journal of Mining and Environment, 2019, vol. 10 (4), pp. 821–832.
20. Levin L., Semin M., Maltsev S., Luzin R., Sukhanov A. Numerical analysis of the impact of variable borer miner operating modes on the microclimate in potash mine working areas. Computation, 2025, vol. 13, Iss. 4, Art. 85. DOI: 10.3390/computation13040085.
21. Chowdhury I.A. State-of-the-art CFD simulation: a review of techniques, validation methods, and application scenarios. Journal of Recent Trends in Mechanics, 2024, no. 9, pp. 45–53.
22. Feinburg G.Z., Isaevich A.G. Analysis of microcirculation flows between microzones in the bottom of dead-end combine mine workings of potash mines with various methods of ventilation. Mining information and analytical bulletin (scientific and technical journal), 2020, no. 3, pp. 58–73. (In Russ.)
23. Zaitsev A.V., Levin L.Y. Modeling, calculation and control of the thermal regime of mines and mines during the development of mineral deposits at great depths. Reports of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Earth Sciences, 2022, vol. 507, no. 2, pp. 205–214. (In Russ.)
