Ventilation-Thermal Coupling in a Fully Mechanized Longwall Face: CFD Simulation and Cooling Optimization

To investigate the interaction between mine ventilation and the thermal en-vironment in a fully mechanized longwall face, a Computational Fluid Dy-namics (CFD) model was developed for the 11-3107 working face of Menkeqing Coal Mine based on field-measured data. The model was used to analyze the effects of ventilation mode, electromechanical equipment layout, roadway length, airflow velocity, and inlet air temperature on the thermal environment of the working face. The results show that changing the ventilation mode alone has only a limited effect on reducing the maximum face temperature, although the U-shaped system provides a comparatively practical ventilation arrange-ment under the studied conditions. Locating major electromechanical equipment in the return airway helps reduce the temperature in the intake airway and working face. Shorter ventilation routes, higher airflow velocity, and lower inlet air temperature all contribute to improved thermal conditions. Considering both simulation results and operational constraints, cooling equipment should be installed near the intake airway to effectively lower the working-face temper-ature. Based on psychrometric analysis and ventilation parameters, the required cooling load for the 11-3107 fully mechanized working face was determined to be 2417 kW under normal conditions and 3082 kW under critical conditions, in-cluding a 20% safety margin. The study provides a numerical basis for venti-lation optimization, cooling-system design, and heat-hazard control in deep underground coal mines.