Abstract:

According to current regulations, underground coal mines must be ventilated continuously, day and night. This means that both the main surface fans and the auxiliary underground fans must operate 24 hours a day. However, in practice, underground coal mines normally do not operate on public holidays, Tet holidays, or Sundays. On these non-working days, no production activities take place in the mine. Consequently, factors that pollute the air environment and pose risks of gas explosions or coal dust explosions are greatly reduced compared to those in working days. This practice indicates that the main fans do not necessarily need to operate in the same mode as on regular working days to supply fresh air into the mine. The question, therefore, is what operating mode of main fans should be implemented to contribute to reducing coal production costs through electricity savings. This paper presents the potential for reducing electricity costs by determining the appropriate operating mode of the main fans during non-working days in coal mines.