MINE VENTILATION
needs in real time and can implement saving strategies according to the type of mining , according to the company .
Zitrón ’ s engineers can offer a “ total integration solution ” that introduces a new communication system , or they can integrate it with existing communications infrastructure .
“ It is flexible , simple and practical , and its implementation can be done in phases , collecting , in real time , all the parameters of the equipment that make up the system ( main fans , dampers , auxiliary fans , etc ),” Zitrón added .
Another advantage of this system is the possibility of adding predictive maintenance functions , which , in turn , reduce operating and capital expenses associated with critical equipment , minimising failures and outages .
Zitrón concluded : “ The elements that make up the real-time monitoring system , and that are integrated in the fans , dampers , gas stations , etc , have been designed and manufactured by Zitrón ' s research and development department and comply with the highest quality standards .”
Mission-critical savings
A diamond mine operation in northern Canada has been reaping the rewards of directing air where it is needed over the last decade .
Using SHYFTinc ’ s NRG1-ECO mine ventilation control system , the operation has been able to keep up with aggressive production targets in key mining zones while keeping energy costs to a minimum .
“ The operation adopted NRG1-ECO as its platform for controlling the entire mine ventilation almost 10 years ago and they have not looked back ,” SHYFT Inc , a Bestech Engineering company , said . “ They needed a robust solution for their harsh environment to make sure mine air was being directed where and when it was needed .”
NRG1-ECO has worked “ flawlessly ” for control of primary , auxiliary and booster fans on surface and underground over this period , while the remote support element of system has played a critical role in ensuring users are properly trained , SHYFT Inc said . This includes the provision of live demonstrations and support for the first few changes to the system . “ We all know that production and tonnes are what keep the mines open ,” the mine ’ s Ventilation Engineer , said . “ NRG1-ECO has allowed us to control a mission-critical system , mine ventilation , in a way that maximised air to production areas and uses only the energy required to get the job done .
“ We used to rely on expensive programming changes and updates that would take weeks but , with NRG1-ECO , I can make the additions and updates within a matter of minutes . So , we just keep on using it .”
An additional benefit of the system is the reduced energy consumption it offers by turning down the speed of fans and shutting down others when not in use . This has led to significant energy savings for the mine in question over the last 10 years – around 22 % in savings , in fact .
Such benefits are meaningful for a site operating on grid power , but even more critical for remote operations generating their own power with diesel generators .
Using SHYFTinc ’ s NRG1- ECO mine ventilation control system , the diamond operation in northern Canada has been able to keep up with aggressive production targets in key mining zones while keeping energy costs to a minimum