Key Features

• Once a ventilation design is completed, the resulting VentSim CONTROL system is ready for real-time control and optimization in the mine. The VentSim CONTROL system interfaces with existing infrastructure using Open Connectivity (OPC). This control technology is seamlessly integrated into ventilation design connecting directly to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), actuators, starters and other controllable devises via existing communication structures. Once communication is established, the VentSim CONTROL system maintains all control information for a given piece of equipment regardless of location. VentSim CONTROL also provides fail safe setpoints to the PLCs. Using dynamic linking, as ventilation equipment is added or removed, altering the process control is a simple configuration change executed by the ventilation personnel. The changes require no programming for controls or human machine interfaces.
• The VentSim CONTROL ventilation control system has unique characteristics which provide significant advantages over conventional control systems.

Benefits

• ​​​The VentSim CONTROL software can be coupled to the VentSim CONTROL MS, MSg, MCS and MCSg for ventilation instrumentation and local control.
• For engineering purposes:
• to design efficient ventilation network and controls.
• to easily and rapidly evaluate alternatives.
• to evaluate production capacity.
• to evaluate existing or future ventilation system performance.
• to evaluate future operating cost and savings opportunity.
• For operations:
• to measure and document compliance to Health & Safety regulations◦volume requirement.
• velocity requirement.
• fresh air / return air mix.
• contaminants.
• to maximize production capacity.
• to realize energy savings.
• to reduce the carbon footprint.

Applications

• ​​​​Mining.

1 - Manual

The operator uses the Ventsim CONTROL interface to remotely turn fans on or off, to modify their speed or to set the % on regulators. Settings stay as they are until manually changed.

2 – Automatic schedules and events

Ventsim CONTROL automatically changes underground fan and regulator settings as part of a schedule such as shift changes or planned events such as blasting.

3 – Automatic set points

The operator enters set points for airflow, gas levels, and/or temperature. Ventsim CONTROL reads real-time conditions from monitoring stations, then automatically adjusts underground fan and regulator settings to maintain set points.

4 – Dynamic requirements (VOD)

VentSim CONTROL uses dynamic tracking to determine requirements for airflow, gas levels, and temperature based on personnel and vehicles in each area. Ventsim CONTROL reads real-time conditions from monitoring stations and automatically adjusts underground fan and regulator settings to maintain safe and comfortable working conditions in a dynamic environment.

5 – Complete infrastructure optimization including main fans

Ventsim CONTROL reads real-time conditions from monitoring stations and automatically optimizes underground fan and regulator settings, and also adjusts main fan settings to maintain required levels and maximize energy savings. This level of optimization controls the ventilation system as a whole using advanced control strategies designed for mine ventilation applications.

Step 1

Howden mine ventilation engineers use Ventsim DESIGN to model and analyse the mining ventilation infrastructure.

Step 2

Howden mine ventilation engineers design an optimised ventilation system for your mine, integrating your existing infrastructure into Ventsim CONTROL.

Step 3

Your Howden team quickly installs any additional hardware and instrumentation required using our plug-and-play compatibility.

Step 4

Your monitoring and control systems are linked with Ventsim CONTROL over the communications network.

Step 5

Operators receive on-site training to use Ventsim CONTROL for monitoring and controlling mine ventilation.

Step 6

Howden provides ongoing support and maintenance, either on-site or remotely.