USE OF BOOSTER FAN VENTILATIONAT WEST CLIFF COLLIERY

摘要

Large underground coal mining operations, such as West Cliff are continually having to balance andrnco-ordinate ventilation requirements for each working face, with the overall management of gas both CO2 andrnCH4 within the mine. As mining operations expand, along with areas of goaf the potential for gas makernincreases. It becomes increasingly more difficult to maintain adequate ventilation to the development panels withrncorresponding effects or consequences on coal production.rnIn the case of West Cliff mine, the performance characteristics for the gas drainage system as well as the overallrnventilation performance for the entire mine were fully reviewed and assessed. Various options to improve thernoverall efficiency of both the gas drainage system and the mines ventilation system were identified andrnconsidered. Ventilation planning and simulation allowed the various options to be reviewed in detail, highlightingrnthe benefits and short comings of each modification or adaptation to both systems.rnThe use of booster fans was considered in respect of the following potential benefits:rn? Provision of additional air quality at strategic locations within the mine and separate from thernlongwall split.rn? Increased pressure to drive airflow into working splitsrn? Reduction of intake to return pressure differential, outbye of the booster fan locationrn? Reduction in outbye leakagern? Reduction of main fan airflow requirements for a given inbye performancern? Optimisation of power utilisationrnThe use of booster fans for underground mining operations has an extensive history of satisfactory and effectivernutilisation over seas, especially in the UK, Canada and Germany. Hence the use of booster fans to meet thernventilation and gas management needs of West Cliff could be thoroughly researched. This included the followingrninherent hazards:rn? Potential for uncontrolled recirculationrn? Potential ignition sources and metallic contactrn? Potential for firern? Spontaneous combustionrn? Potential to pass gas plugs through fans on re-startrn? Mechanical failurernThis paper outlines the overall research and assessment approach adopted by West Cliff Colliery, focusing on thernfollowing key components:rn? History of Booster fan usern? Overseas practicern? Department of Mineral Resources approvalsrn? Risk assessment processrn? Major Hazards identifiedrn? System description and designrn? Control strategiesrnThe experience gained at West Cliff Colliery demonstrates that booster fans represent a cost effective means ofrnventilating strategic sections of the mine on a life of mine basis. The risk assessment approach and the controlsrnimplemented as a direct consequence of this approach have supported the successful installation and operation ofrnbooster fans.