Control Integration of Deep-level Mine Water Reticulation Sub-systems

One common challenge that limits maximised cost saving benefits on mine water reticulation systems is the lack of integrated control strategies between sub-systems. This challenge becomes even more pronounced when energy recovery systems, such as three-chamber pipe feeder systems (3CPFs), are incorporated within the water reticulation system. Investigations showed that the 3CPFs is directly responsible for negatively influencing the performance of conventional dewatering and refrigeration load management initiatives due to a lack of integrated control. This study addresses these challenge through the development of an integrated control strategy between all three subsystems, namely: dewatering, refrigeration and the 3CPFs. The water reticulation system of a South African deep-level gold mine was identified as a case study. The water reticulation system of this mine included a 3CPFs which influenced the performance of load management initiatives on both the dewatering and refrigeration systems. By means of control strategy modelling, a solution was developed to optimally utilise the 3CPFs and improve the performance of the load management initiatives. The control strategy was tested and validated through the implementation of a real-time energy management system. The average evening load shift achieved was 6.3 MW, which can be quantified as a performance improvement of over 400%.