Importance and Characteristics of Main Mechanical Ventilator

Abstract

Main mechanical ventilator or mine ventilation fans in modern big coal mines are one of the most expensive operating expenditures. The initial investment, maintenance, and running costs of these mechanical ventilators are also very high. The electrical power consumed by main mechanical ventilator represents at least 15–17% of the total electrical load of any mine. A wrong selection of mechanical ventilator and associated electrical drive may result into wastage of energy and thereby adding to additional cost to the mine. The overall efficiency of main mechanical ventilator is of prime importance in context of operating expenditure, safety, maintenance of underground environment and productivity of any underground mine. Even a savings in electrical power of 1 kW by selecting the main mechanical ventilator techno-economically can reflect in significant savings to the mine. Typically 10% improvement in efficiency for a 1000 kW mechanical ventilator running for 15 years will lead to considerable saving in power consumption, and this when discounted at the rate of 20% will offset the cost of mechanical ventilator itself, i.e., replacement of the mechanical ventilator is possible without any investment.