MAINTENANCE, ENGINEERING AND RELIABILITY – Cost-Saving Strategies in Mine Ventilation
Increasing electricity supply problems in North America have encouraged an industry-wide evaluation of energy consumption, resulting in a more urgent emphasis on energy-efficient design and operation for all energy-consuming systems. Electricity is the main mode of energy supply and the mining industry is affected by the increasing cost of this commodity (Natural Resources Canada, 2017).
Ventilation systems normally operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, and account for 25–40% of the total energy costs and 40–50% of the electrical consumption of a mine operation (De Souza, 2013).
Ventilation engineers are under ever-increasing pressure to reduce ventilation energy consumption and be cost effective. Experience has indicated that a large number of ventilation systems have efficiencies (defined as measured system performance/design system performance) of 65% or lower. Ventilation efficiency values fall within a wide range, ranging from 75% down to 10% (McPherson, 1993). Two forms of efficiency are considered: mechanical efficiency and ventilation system efficiency. Mechanical efficiency is the percentage of total energy input to a machine that is consumed by useful work and not wasted as useless heat. Ventilation efficiency is the percentage of total air that reaches production and other areas requiring ventilation. Factors affecting efficiency loss include air leakage and airway and appliance (fans, doors, air locks, check curtains, seals, line brattices, bulkheads, and regulators) design, sizing, and selection. Ventilation network systems are extremely complex; they must be carefully managed and optimized because they help guarantee the health and safety of the workers. An increasing number of engineers have been assessing the efficiency of their ventilation systems along Cost-saving strategies in mine ventilation.
Euler De Souza
Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
ABSTRACT Underground operation ventilation energy requirements constitute a significant portion of
mine energy consumption (40–50%) and total energy costs (25–40%). In general, mine ventilation systems are energy inefficient; the author has found several systems that operate at efficiencies below 65%.
This paper presents how engineering design principles can improve the performance and efficiency of
ventilation appliances, resulting in reduced power consumption and operating costs. Case studies demonstrate that, by retrofitting ventilation appliances using proper engineering concepts, systems will operate
at efficiencies well above common operating efficiencies, resulting in a drastic reduction in costs and
base electrical and energy loads.
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