The SmartVentilation system is a complete solution to the challenge of providing fresh air and venting toxic gases from underground mines. It also minimizes energy use by ventilating only those areas of a mine that require it. ABB estimates that this ability to work on-demand could reduce an operator’s electricity bill by up to half.
“SmartVentilation is a state-of-the-art control solution for mine ventilation that was built to be easy to use and maintain during the lifetime of the mine,” said Patrik Westerlund, global product manager for integrated mine automation at ABB.
The system is divided into three implementation levels, SmartBasic, SmartMid and SmartPerfect. These give different degrees of control over the operation of the mine’s intake and exhaust fans.
Mine operators have the option of installing one implantation level and then upgrading it at their own pace. The fans and their drives come in modular form and are controlled with ABB’s System 800xA, a world-class industrial automation platform. This provides operators, engineers and mine managers with an easy way to supervise and control the ventilation system, either from a central location or using mobile devices.
