Effects of seasonal air temperature variation on airflow and surrounding rock temperature of mines

Abstract In underground mines, high air temperatures in the summer months lead to an increase in inlet airflow temperatures. This leads to seasonal thermal pollution in the mines. This paper examines the dynamics and effects of seasonal variation in surface air temperatures and surrounding rock temperatures in deep coal mines. It also examines temperature variations in the main ventilation circuit, working face, and surrounding rock. The study results revealed that airflow temperatures were significantly affected by seasonal air temperature variations. The greater the distance was between the inlet and the wellhead of the ventilation shaft, the less the effect was on temperature. Moreover, slight temperature variations (1.0–3.0 °C) were observed between various points on the return route during the summer months. Airflow temperatures along the airflow inlet to the return route of the working face first decreased, but then increased. The temperature field of the surrounding rock increased gradually with increased distance between the mine roadway and inlet, with recorded rock temperatures as high as 40.53 °C. The radius of the heat-adjusting layer was between 28 and 33 m.