Coal Mine Main Fan Power Saving Project

Anglo American Thermal Coal conducted a high level study of all of its underground collieries to determine if there were electrical power saving opportunities at the main fan stations. A systems approach to electrical power savings was used to identify potential savings in the various components of a primary ventilation system. Furthermore, only technological interventions were considered to obtain electrical power savings. From generic technological driven electrical power saving strategies four energy savings strategies were identified, namely potential overall reduction in ventilation volume, improved underground air utilisation, optimisation of fan-set efficiency and potential fan drift design optimisation. The study indicated the colliery (say Colliery D, Shaft A) that showed most potential in the four technology driven energy savings strategies. A detail study was undertaken at Colliery D, Shaft A to increase the confidence level and the study confirmed that up to 45 per cent of the main fan absorbed power can be saved (475 kW) with an estimated capital payback period of 18 months. The study clearly showed that an integrated approach to optimise the entire mine ventilation system has great potential for power saving, and that a clear, well -defined methodology will be applicable to similar underground collieries. This paper discusses the background to the study and the process followed to implement the energy savings initiative at Colliery D, Shaft A.