Strategic placement of compressors for future mine developments

Rustenburg Platinum Mine (RPM) comprises a complex compressed air pipe network of eight shafts, supplied with air from six compressor plants. One of these compressor plants is situated more than 3 000 m from the air network. Pipe friction losses increase the electrical energy costs making compressed air networks with lengthy supply lines very inefficient. The proposed solution is to decommission this compressor plants and build a new compressor plant closer to one of the shafts. This is expected to improve the service delivery pressure and reduce maintenance costs. The aim of this project will be to determine the optimal location for the compressors in order to optimise the air distribution system. To determine the optimum position the simulation software REMS-DCS (Real-time Energy Management for Dynamic Compressor Selection) was used. The option of replacing the large VK-125 compressor with smaller compressors was also investigated. Also under consideration was whether some parts of the network could be isolated in order to reduce the amount of air distributed between shafts. The optimum location for the compressor plant was determined. The investigation also revealed that the large VK-125 compressor is essential to the successful operation of the air network. None of the shafts could be isolated since an air shortage would occur. An optimal system configuration, including the compressor house location, was identified.