Abstract:
The use of high powered catalogued auxiliary fans to meet
the ventilation requirements of fairly shallow mines is
common practice and often is not an energy efficient
ventilation solution.
This paper describes the process followed to investigate the
potential of using alternative and more energy efficient axial
flow fans to meet the ventilation requirements when used as
main surface fans for shallow platinum mine shafts.
The benefit of replacing catalogued auxiliary fans used as
main fans with purposefully engineered fans was
considered. From the investigation it can be concluded that
the operational cost saving associated with the saving in
power due to the improvement in the operational efficiency
proved that the replacement of the older generation
installations is viable.
When comparing a single original fan installation to a
purposefully engineered fan it will have a payback period of
approximately 7 months per complete new installation and
will continue to save electrical operational cost as a result of
the improved energy efficiency.
