In this paper, the application status of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling in mine ventilation is presented by reviewing papers published since the year 2000. The aspects covered in these papers are the numerical analyses of working faces, mine tunnels, ventilation systems, and open-pit mines. CFD modeling procedures for mine ventilation are summarized. Further, building geometries, grid generation, solutions of equations, model validation, grid-independence studies, and solution convergence are discussed. Several examples of CFD modeling for mine ventilation are provided. Finally, conclusions including recommendations for future studies that may allow for more advantageous applications of such numerical simulations are provided.

Decommissioned, dead-end mining tunnels or natural caves are employed to investigate new usage in Korea. Ventilation ducts are designed to allow control of flow velocities, mean age of air, and temperatures of blown air. Turbulent air flows within a dead-ended tunnel are theoretically predicted using the numerical code with a κ − ε turbulence model, and 3.5 M hexahedral grids. Three-dimensional turbulent transport, detailed flow structural characteristics, dimensionless temperature, and local mean age of air are considered to provide new insight into the mechanisms needed to design the ventilation duct for tunnels. Time-averaged turbulent flow characteristics, velocity shape path lines, fluid age distributions, and temperature distributions are presented for 5% inlet turbulence intensity and 12 m/s inlet velocity. From CASE1 to CASE6, six different geometries of ventilation duct are used to optimize the design for better air quality. Overall, the numerically predicted results show the air is fresher in the long duct and average temperatures in the tunnel with long ventilation ducts are slightly lower than those in a tunnel with short ducts.