COSTA, J. C. A.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/5648923977269111; COSTA, José César de Albuquerque.
Resumen:
This work presents the development of a research for the implementation of a model of
ventilation on demand (VOD) in a large underground mine. This is the Ipueira mine
belonging to the Ferbasa Group, located in the State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. The
ventilation on demand (VOD) process is the result of recent studies, which have been boosted
in the last decade, and it consists in varying the air supply in the various areas of the mine
according to the needs of each sector at a given time. The amounts of air required are
modified according to the changes in the various factors (gas concentration, temperature, dust,
etc.) which in turn depend on the operation performed, the number of personnel involved and
the type and quantity of diesel equipment in operation.Traditional ventilation systems tend to
operate at their maximum capacity, necessary to maintain the required air supply, which for
safety reasons is usually calculated based on the most pessimistic scenario possible. For this
reason, they have a strong tendency towards higher energy consumption compared to
ventilation on demand systems. This also justifies the growing interest in the theme and the
consequent increase in the number of studies and applications of the model in mines around
the world. Based on the fact that these studies and their applications are not widespread in
Brazil, the present research proposes to contribute to a change in this situation. The
methodology, proposed by the research, is based on the elaboration of a complete diagnosis of
the existing ventilation system at the Ipueira mine, mainly in terms of its energy consumption.
This diagnosis is necessary, both for the adoption of appropriate measures, and to establish
comparisons between the results before and after the implantation of the VOD model. The
simulations carried out, in addition to all the necessary surveys and tests, point to a very
optimistic result regarding the economy obtained by reducing the energy consumption by the
ventilation system. The monthly savings of the entire ventilation system at the Ipueira mine
after the implementation of the ventilation on demand model was estimated at around 26%.
This result can reach even more significant levels with the adoption of other system
improvement measures, as indicated in the body of the present thesis.