Fans and Mine Ventilation
GLOBAL ventilation fans and systems manufacturer, TLT-Turbo, has announced the redesign of its auxiliary and booster fan range.
Developed in close collaboration with clients, the new designs address both efficiency and cost-effectiveness, in a versatile product range that meets the specific ventilation requirements of the mining industry.
TLT-Turbo product manager of auxiliary and booster fans, Michael Minges, said the development of the fan range would not have been possible without the input of clients.
“This ensured that we focused on key market-driven requirements including energy efficiency, noise reduction, cost-effectiveness and turnaround time,” he said.
Mr Minges said that to sell these products, the company needed to ensure close customer relationships and visibility.
“We are striving to change the industry’s mindset on the use of such fans to ensure proper fan selection for the ventilation required,” he said.
“In optimising mine ventilation, efficient, high quality auxiliary and booster fans can add as much value as surface fan installations.”
Mr Minges explained that meeting identified market demands was the main focus of the improved designs.
“As energy efficiency is one of the main drivers of industrial equipment usage, and minimum efficiency requirements on certain equipment are often legislated, TLT-Turbo identified the need and opportunity in the market for more efficient mining fans compared to what is currently in use,” he said.
Innovative design
The new designs include several innovative additions to enhance performance in order to provide exceptional underground ventilation.
The fan range was developed using the latest in engineering flow technology which allowed TLT-Turbo to improve the aerodynamics, and thus efficiency of the fans.
A unique stator design and aerodynamic fairings, all manufactured from wear-resistant composite materials, result in improved efficiencies and reduced noise levels.
The modularity of the fan casings allow for quick and easy assembly with interchangeable ancillary fan parts.
The motor mounting, in coherence with a machined impeller track, ensures low and controllable blade tip clearances for improved performance and efficiencies.
Pad mount motors are used for all fan sizes and help reduce vibration levels in the axial direction of the motor significantly, which leads to longer motor bearing life and lower maintenance requirements.
“All fans are ISO 5801 tested, unless the client agrees to type testing on higher volume orders,” Mr Minges said.
“We ensure the client quoted performance is met before the fans leave the factory.
“Test certificates on both raw data and calculated performance can be provided on request.
“Fan efficiency is determined with the performance test and this quality check ensures we deliver on what we promised the client.”
In addition to performance and efficiency, ease of maintenance was also a major consideration in developing the new range.
The modularity of the product design and the interchangeable standardised parts allows for quick turnaround time on parts supply.
“For example, we only have two blade types for the full product range and generally only one motor barrel per fan size accommodating various motor sizes and types,” Mr Minges said.
“Standardisation on the product is the key to successfully managing maintenance and repair as it allows ample supply of spares for companies certified to do the repair work.
Roll-out
Preliminary testing at sites located in sub-Saharan Africa has been launched successfully and the next phase is rolling out the new range in the USA, Canada, Europe, Russia and Australia.
Following this, product supply and support will be extended to TLT-Turbo offices in South America and India.
“The feedback that we have received thus far has been that the fans are meeting our and client expectations,” Mr Minges said.
“I am proud to say that one EPC consultant used the phrase ‘super fan’ to describe the new range and indicated that he has not heard a fan of this size so quiet before.”
Continual product development and keeping up to date with the latest technologies is ingrained within the engineering teams of TLT-Turbo.
“Ensuring that innovations are market and client-driven, with the end result being a benefit to the industry, puts us in the forefront of advancement in ventilation solutions,” Mr Minges said.
Visit www.tlt-turbo.com information. for more