The Application of a MIP Model to Select the Optimum Auxiliary Fan and Operational Settings for Multiple Period Duties

Ventilation systems can be the primary consumers of energy in underground mining operations. Systematically reducing ventilation costs without impinging on production will significantly improve the profitability of an operation. This paper presents an application of a mixed integer programming model...

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Main Authors: Acunna, E., Hall, Stephen, Hardcastle, S., Fava, L.
Format: Journal Article
Published: University of Toronto Press * Journals Division 2010
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/32988
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author Acunna, E.
Hall, Stephen
Hardcastle, S.
Fava, L.
author_facet Acunna, E.
Hall, Stephen
Hardcastle, S.
Fava, L.
author_sort Acunna, E.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Ventilation systems can be the primary consumers of energy in underground mining operations. Systematically reducing ventilation costs without impinging on production will significantly improve the profitability of an operation. This paper presents an application of a mixed integer programming model (MIP) to assist in the selection of the optimum auxiliary fan to supply the required pressure and airflow to an underground mining activity across multiple time periods. The MIP model considers the pressures and airflows required to be delivered by the fan for each time period, along with the associated capital and operational expenditure in selecting the optimum fan, based on cost, across all the operating conditions. In the presented approach, the nonlinear performance characteristic curves of the fans are discretized to permit the implementation of linear techniques in the selection of the fan operational points for every period. A case study is presented to test the proposed MIP model and its applicability, plus show the potential savings that can be generated even over short time periods. The solution obtained is optimal in the discretized solution space, but in the ‘real life’ solution space, the fan selection is feasible and near optimal, outperforming the current practices.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-329882017-01-30T13:34:23Z The Application of a MIP Model to Select the Optimum Auxiliary Fan and Operational Settings for Multiple Period Duties Acunna, E. Hall, Stephen Hardcastle, S. Fava, L. decision support systems mine ventilation optimization mixed integer programming Auxiliary mine ventilation Ventilation systems can be the primary consumers of energy in underground mining operations. Systematically reducing ventilation costs without impinging on production will significantly improve the profitability of an operation. This paper presents an application of a mixed integer programming model (MIP) to assist in the selection of the optimum auxiliary fan to supply the required pressure and airflow to an underground mining activity across multiple time periods. The MIP model considers the pressures and airflows required to be delivered by the fan for each time period, along with the associated capital and operational expenditure in selecting the optimum fan, based on cost, across all the operating conditions. In the presented approach, the nonlinear performance characteristic curves of the fans are discretized to permit the implementation of linear techniques in the selection of the fan operational points for every period. A case study is presented to test the proposed MIP model and its applicability, plus show the potential savings that can be generated even over short time periods. The solution obtained is optimal in the discretized solution space, but in the ‘real life’ solution space, the fan selection is feasible and near optimal, outperforming the current practices. 2010 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/32988 University of Toronto Press * Journals Division restricted
spellingShingle decision support systems
mine ventilation optimization
mixed integer programming
Auxiliary mine ventilation
Acunna, E.
Hall, Stephen
Hardcastle, S.
Fava, L.
The Application of a MIP Model to Select the Optimum Auxiliary Fan and Operational Settings for Multiple Period Duties
title The Application of a MIP Model to Select the Optimum Auxiliary Fan and Operational Settings for Multiple Period Duties
title_full The Application of a MIP Model to Select the Optimum Auxiliary Fan and Operational Settings for Multiple Period Duties
title_fullStr The Application of a MIP Model to Select the Optimum Auxiliary Fan and Operational Settings for Multiple Period Duties
title_full_unstemmed The Application of a MIP Model to Select the Optimum Auxiliary Fan and Operational Settings for Multiple Period Duties
title_short The Application of a MIP Model to Select the Optimum Auxiliary Fan and Operational Settings for Multiple Period Duties
title_sort application of a mip model to select the optimum auxiliary fan and operational settings for multiple period duties
topic decision support systems
mine ventilation optimization
mixed integer programming
Auxiliary mine ventilation
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/32988