The material describes a structure and facilities of an automatic mine ventilation system on a sample of a potash mine.

1. Automatic ventilation control system
The Third Mine, Belaruskali
(Republic of Belarus)

2. The purpose is to reduce operating ventilation cost

4. Which elements does the system consist of?

5. Main Fan Unit

6. Recirculation Fan
Units
Main Fan Unit

7. Automatic
regulators
Recirculation Fan
Units
Main Fan Unit

8. How does the equipment look?

9. Recirculation Fan Unit

12. Automatic Regulator

13. Automatic Regulator

14. How does the system work?

15. Main Fan Operating
Speed Adjusting

16. Main Fan Operating
Speed Adjusting
Controlled Airflow
Recirculation

17. Automatic Air Flow
Redistribution
Main Fan Operating
Speed Adjusting
Controlled Airflow
Recirculation

18. Automatic Air Flow
Redistribution
Main Fan Operating
Speed Adjusting
Controlled Airflow
Recirculation
Gas concentration sensors are used to determine a critical reused
air flow rate which is regulated by adjusting recirculation fan unit
operating speed
Air flow is distributed depending on a current air demand in mine
areas. Redistribution is performed by setting a new angle for
regulator’s leafs. Angles for regulators’ leafs are determined
automatically by required airflow values for different mine areas.
Total mine air flow is determined by all underground consumers
requirements and regulated by fan operating speed which is
adjusted via drive frequency.

19. What a result?

20. Total Airflow
510 m3
/s
360 m3
/s
Main Fan Power
Efficiency
2.7 MW
1.6 MW
Air Distribution Disbalance
18 %
7 %
Capital Cost
$4 000 000
Savings
in Annual Operating Cost
$1 600 000