Mine Ventilation System 1

[modulator]

Hi all,

We are assessing a web-based ventilation control system for the mining industry and would appreciate any comments that you could provide. The technology allows ventilation technicians to schedule and control their ventilation systems from anywhere using an internet connection and a web-interface. Essentially, this technology allows technicians to control when and where ventilation is supplied and at any rate from a remote location using software running on a computer with an internet connection.

Would something like this be of interest to the mining industry? If so, what would be some key specifications/characteristics this technology should possess? Are you aware of any similar systems that are currently available? How much do they tend to cost?

If anyone out there is interested in testing this system please let me know.

I appreciate your help,

 

[CanuckMiner]

I once saw a system that can individually turn the underground fans on and off from a surface site (from the Vent Engineer's desktop). The system also monitored gases (CO, CO2), airflows, and temperatures (a very hot mine) along key drifts. This was at Barrick Meikle Mine (Nevada).

The company I work for has also designed fan control systems that would automatically reduce airflow (and hence power consumption) during shift changes and other periods of "downtime" (e.g. weekends).

I believe that Canmet (a division of Natural Resources Canada) has also dabbled in the field of being able to control regulators/restrictors from surface (using gear-operated doors if memory serves). You might try contacting Canmet -

http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/canmet-mtb/mmsl-lmsm/mines/air/air-e.htm

I think they published a paper a few years back, describing some of the work they were doing in this area at their test mine in northern Quebec.

All of these systems are site-based systems (i.e. on local ethernet) using HMI and PLC technologies. I imagine that this could also be applied "from a distance", but question the merit of such a system. In my opinion, the person responsible for the ventilation (engineer or technician) should be at the site. Besides, how can the shift boss intimidate the vent engineer into "solving" a problem IMMEDIATELY if he/she is 300 miles away? ;-)

Cheers,
CanuckMiner

 

[Dirtguy4587]

I know this sort of application would be handy in some of the tunneling I've been involved in. Particularly in cold climates, I have used heating systems connected to the ventilation systems. Previously, we have had thermostat control on the heater unit only - and no way to regulate temperature and monitor the heating unit remotely. Working in cold climates, something that could handle this remotely would be very useful.