Development of innovative mine energy systems

几项研究预测，未来十年，经济和监管因素将要求采矿业大幅降低能源强度和温室气体排放。目前，采矿业是最耗能的行业之一，碳足迹很大。它对电力的巨大需求主要由化石发电(通常是煤炭和柴油)来满足。在加拿大，一个典型的地下金属矿的通风能力为500至1000立方米/S，具体取决于周围环境和作业条件。为了防止地下矿山在冬季结冰并因此损坏设备，有必要预热这种进气气流，这将花费200万至700万美元的天然气(或丙烷)。此外，在夏季，在地下深处(超过1500米)的矿井中，预冷新鲜空气是一种常见的做法，制冷厂的前期(资本)成本为4,000万至5,000万美元，每年的运营(电力)成本为1至300万美元。它还几乎完全依赖化石燃料(主要是天然气、丙烷和废油)供暖。这种对化石燃料的依赖在偏远的采矿作业中更加严重，因为那里主要依赖柴油发电。在加拿大，柴油发电成本通常占离网贱金属露天开采运营成本的15%。能源成本已经占加拿大矿山运营成本的很大一部分(14%至21%)。此外，矿山正开始延伸到超出当前规范的深度，它们的能源需求甚至更高。最后但并非最不重要的一点是，新兴的碳税法规产生了盈余成本。加拿大矿业公司认识到转向更节能、碳排放更低的技术的重要性。拟议的研究计划旨在解决加拿大采矿业务面临的关键挑战，反映了三个关键视角：创新、HQP培训和可持续发展。它将采取综合和跨学科的方法，在以下三个主要研究主题范围内开发新的矿用能源系统。 1.地热系统在矿井通风中的应用； 二、储能系统在矿井通风中的应用； 三、用于远程采矿作业的余热回收系统的开发。

Several studies predict that over the next decade economic and regulatory factors will require the mining industry to significantly reduce its energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, mining is one of the most energy-intensive industries with a large carbon footprint. Its significant need for electric power is mostly satisfied by fossil-based power generation (usually coal and diesel). In Canada, a typical underground metal mine is ventilated by 500 to 1000 m3/s of fresh air, depending on the ambient and operational conditions. To prevent the freezing of underground mine and the consequent damage to equipment during winter, pre-heating this intake air flow is a necessity which would cost between $2 to 7 million of natural gas (or propane). Also, during summer in deep underground mines (deeper than 1500 meters), pre-cooling the fresh air is a common practice which comes at an up-front (capital) cost of $40 to 50 million for a refrigeration plant as well as $1 to 3 million per annum of operating (electricity) costs. It also relies almost entirely on fossil fuels (mostly natural gas, propane and waste oil) for heating. This fossil fuel dependency is even heavier in remote mining operations where reliance on diesel power dominates. Diesel power costs usually make up to 15% of the operating costs of off-grid base metal open pit operations in Canada. Energy cost already represents a significant part of the operating costs of Canadian mines (14% to 21%). Furthermore, mines are beginning to extend to depths beyond current norms and their energy demand is growing even higher. Last but not the least is the emergence of surplus costs of emerging carbon tax regulations. Canadian mining companies recognize the importance of turning to more energy efficient technologies with lower carbon emissions. The proposed research program aims to address key challenges faced by Canadian mining operations, reflecting three key perspectives: innovation, HQP training and sustainable development. It will adopt an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to develop new mine energy systems within the following three key research themes. i. Application of geothermal systems in mine ventilation; ii. Application of energy storage systems in mine ventilation; iii. Development of a waste heat recovery system for application in remote mining operations.