Customized Solution for Ventilation System, Mine Shaft

Cold conditions bring their own particular set of problems to the efficient operation of equipment and processes whether landbased, offshore or marine. In order to optimize the temperature and humidity on the inside, it’s vital to achieve and maintain a constant, dependable supply of air from the outside – whatever the weather.

Water droplets discharged out of the ventilation fans freezing in winter

A Mine Engineering company in US approached Munters to resolve a water carryover issue on the discharge side of the mine shaft ventilation fans. The main issue was water droplets entrained in the mine shaft ventilation air were being discharged out of the fans. In the winter time this liquid would freeze on all surfaces in a large radius around the exhaust fan creating a dangerous situation as the liquid froze. It would also coat equipment in the area creating potential maintenance and operating concerns. Additionally, this liquid could contain contaminants that could mix with the ground water.

Developing and installing a customized system

In a joint development with Kurt Boyko and David Taylor of Munters Corporation, a separator system was engineered and manufactured to capture the entrained liquid. The equipment consisted of:

• Munters DH Series mist eliminators
• Housing with transition to attach to the discharge side of the fan
• An inlet wash system to wash off any insoluble pmticulates that may coat the chevrons
• Uptumed discharge section to vent the air straight up