EDITOR’S CHOICE
EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE
TLT-TURBO
TLT-TURBO FAN RANGE REDESIGNED TO
MEET SPECIFIC MINING INDUSTRY NEEDS
Global ventilation fans and systems
manufacturer, TLT-Turbo GmbH, has
announced the redesign of its Auxiliary
and Booster fan range. Developed in close
collaboration with clients, the new designs
address both efficiency and cost-effectiveness,
in a versatile product range that meets the
specific ventilation requirements of the
mining industry.
The development of the new fan range
concept began in early 2015. Following
a lengthy global market study to gain an
understanding of the market requirements,
the range was defined in mid-2017, with
the fabrication of the first units taking place
shortly thereafter. “The development of the
Auxiliary and Booster fan range would not
have been possible without the input of
clients. This ensured that we focused on key
market-driven requirements including energy
efficiency, noise reduction, cost-effectiveness
and turnaround time,” says Michael Minges,
Technical Director at TLT-Turbo Africa, who
headed up the fans’ designs.
“To sell these products we needed to ensure
close customer relationships and visibility. We
are striving to change the industry’s mindset
on the use of such fans to ensure proper
fan selection for the ventilation required. In
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optimizing mine ventilation, efficient, high-
quality Auxiliary and Booster fans can add as
much value as surface fan installations.”
TLT-Turbo started commissioning of the first
iterations of the fan range towards the end of
2017 within the Sub-Saharan market through
its Africa office. From there, they based the
development of the various fan sizes of
the new range on market interest. The fan
designs and their performance validation was
completed at the end of July 2019. They aim to
complete product rollout, with all supporting
documents and certification, by the end of
September 2019.
Minges explains that meeting identified
market demands was the main focus of the
improved designs. “As energy efficiency is one
of the main drivers of industrial equipment
usage, and minimum efficiency requirements
on certain equipment are often legislated,
TLT-Turbo identified the need and opportunity
in the market for more efficient mining fans
compared to what is currently in use.”
The new designs include several innovative
additions to enhance performance in order to
provide exceptional underground ventilation.
The fan range was developed using the latest
in engineering flow technology which allowed
TLT-Turbo to improve the aerodynamics,
and thus the efficiency of the fans. A unique
stator design and aerodynamic fairings, all
manufactured from wear-resistant composite
materials, resulting in improved efficiencies
and reduced noise levels. The modularity
of the fan casings allows for quick and easy
assembly with interchangeable ancillary fan
parts. The motor mounting in coherence with
a machined impeller track ensures low and
controllable blade tip clearances for improved
performance and efficiencies. Pad mount
motors are used for all fan sizes and help
reduce vibration levels in the axial direction of
the motor significantly which leads to longer
motor bearing life and lower maintenance
requirements.
Minges says that all possible measures are
taken to ensure the highest quality and best
possible performance of every fan supplied by
TLT-Turbo. “All fans are ISO 5801 tested unless
the client agrees to type testing on higher
volume orders. We ensure the client quoted
performance is met before the fans leave the
factory. Test certificates on both raw data and
calculated performance can be provided on
request. Fan efficiency is determined with
the performance test and this quality check
ensures we deliver on what we promised the
client.