Mine Cooling and Ventilation
Underground mine ventilation provides a flow of air to the underground workings of a mine of sufficient volume to dilute and remove dust and noxious gases (typically NOx, SO2, methane, CO2, and CO) and to regulate temperature. The source of these gases are equipment that runs on diesel engines, blasting with explosives, and the orebody itself. The largest component of the operating cost for mine ventilation is electricity to power the ventilation fans, which may account for one-third of a typical underground mine's entire electrical power cost
Mine cooling/ Centralized cooling is often referred to as bulk air cooling or primary cooling. These systems are used in mines where heat issues are widespread. They provide cooling throughout the mine workings to reduce the heat load to safe levels. This cooling system consists of two non-mobile heat exchange systems. The bulk air cooler (BAC) acts as an evaporator that cools the surrounding air. The BAC system includes a cooling tower that sprays chilled water over the air which is drawn through the BAC. The other system includes the refrigeration plant, which acts as a condenser where heat is rejected in the form of air or water to the surrounding area. If heat is rejected through water, a condenser cooling tower (CCT) is required. Unlike a BAC, a CCT rejects the heat from water to the air.
