Compressed air systems are one of the most significant energy users in underground mines, with a contribution of about 20% to the total electrical energy consumptionEnergy consumption. As a matter of fact, compressed air is considered to be a 4th utility in many industrial settings, in the same category as water, electricity and gas. In underground mineMine settings, compressed air is used to power pneumaticPneumatic tools, mainly rock drills. Also, it is used to provide respirable air for underground workings ventilation systemsVentilation system. Surface compression facilities supplySupply air to an underground network of pipes laid in vertical shafts and horizontal adits. The air is typically provided from a 24″ supplySupply line to 12″ and 6″ feeder pipes at around 90 PSI. As various sections of the ore body are extracted, air supplySupply is needed in different locations of the mineMine. The electricity costs associated with supplying compressed air are significant. In the case of a platinum mineMine in South Africa, it was approximately $25 K per day. Flow measurement is needed for the following objectives: One may note that traditional leak detection technologiesTechnology are more suitable for commercial building settings such as warehouses where compressed air piping is within line of sight. A mineMine being a complex web of shafts and adits, leak detection instruments need to be more innovative. Also, some compressed air audits and surveysSurvey include opening up of electrical panels, which may include disruption of production to conduct electrical energy isolation safetySafety procedures lock out tag out try out (LOTOTO).

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Non-intrusive Flow Measurement of Compressed Air in a Deep-Level Underground Platinum Mine

  • Victor K. Mwaba

摘要

Compressed air systems are one of the most significant energy users in underground mines, with a contribution of about 20% to the total electrical energy consumptionEnergy consumption. As a matter of fact, compressed air is considered to be a 4th utility in many industrial settings, in the same category as water, electricity and gas. In underground mineMine settings, compressed air is used to power pneumaticPneumatic tools, mainly rock drills. Also, it is used to provide respirable air for underground workings ventilation systemsVentilation system. Surface compression facilities supplySupply air to an underground network of pipes laid in vertical shafts and horizontal adits. The air is typically provided from a 24″ supplySupply line to 12″ and 6″ feeder pipes at around 90 PSI. As various sections of the ore body are extracted, air supplySupply is needed in different locations of the mineMine. The electricity costs associated with supplying compressed air are significant. In the case of a platinum mineMine in South Africa, it was approximately $25 K per day. Flow measurement is needed for the following objectives: One may note that traditional leak detection technologiesTechnology are more suitable for commercial building settings such as warehouses where compressed air piping is within line of sight. A mineMine being a complex web of shafts and adits, leak detection instruments need to be more innovative. Also, some compressed air audits and surveysSurvey include opening up of electrical panels, which may include disruption of production to conduct electrical energy isolation safetySafety procedures lock out tag out try out (LOTOTO).