Possibilities of using energy recovery in underground mines

Abstract

Abstract. In underground mines, there are many sources of energy that are often irrecoverably lost and which could be used in the energy structure of a mine. Methane contained in the ventilation air, the water from the dewatering of the mines and the exhaust air from the mine shafts are the most important sources of energy available to a mine. Among other sources of energy available in a mine, you can also distinguish waste energy from the process of the desalination of water or energy from the waste. The report reviewed the sources of energy available in a mine, assessed the amount of recoverable energy and indicated the potential for its use.

Recovery and repurposing of thermal resources in the mining and mineral processing industry

“…The need for dewatering in both operating and closed mines presents a promising opportunity for geothermal energy recovery. Mine dewatering usually consists of pumping water from a series of [18,19] Direct spray recovery with heat pump [19] Heat exchangers [21] Ventilation preheating [20] Space heating [21] Potential recovery methodmethod Mine dewatering 1e5 [22] Heat pumps [23] Space heating [23,24] Implemented in industry Electric Arc Furnace cooling water 10e60 [25] Heat exchangers [26] Steam generators [26] Electricity generation [27] Steam [27] Potential recovery method Off-gas 60 [28] Organic Rankine Cycle [29] Electricity generation [29] Implemented in industry Bubbled-in off-gas [30] Microalgae cultivation [30] Slag recovery 9e20 [31,32] Mechanical crushing with heat pump recovery [33] Preheating air of ore dryers [34] Potential recovery method Centrifugal and air blast granulation using fluidized bed recovery [33] Reheating boiler feed water [34] Packed-bed heat exchanger [32] Electricity or steam generation [35] Combustion air preheating [35] Smelter process cooling water 40 [6] Heat pumps [6] Space heating [6] Potential recovery method Steam production [36] wells within the mine to the surface. Dewatering is important, as water levels must be continuously managed to ensure the stability of mine walls and to prevent flooding.…”

Possibilities of using energy recovery in underground mines

“…Heat from the heap can be exploited successively by passive heat transfer or by the active method using heap heater. Heat reception can take place using closed circuit heat exchangers, and heat transfer from the primary circuit to external heat exchangers can be held on the production head or the heater area near them [7]. A critical danger, however, which may arise during the migration of heat is the ignition of the heaps.…”

Evaluation of Wind Energy Recovery from an Underground Mine Exhaust Ventilation System

“…Even exploited underground mines hold potential for energy recovery despite weather and seismic challenges [13]. Te Canadian Mining Innovation Council has successfully discussed using alternative fuels and renewable energy sources in mining [14].…”

“…Te Canadian Mining Innovation Council has successfully discussed using alternative fuels and renewable energy sources in mining [14]. Researchers have highlighted various energy sources available in mines, such as methane in ventilation air and geothermal energy from abandoned mines [13,15]. Obracaj and Sas [13] have presented theoretical possibilities for energy recovery in mines.…”

“…Researchers have highlighted various energy sources available in mines, such as methane in ventilation air and geothermal energy from abandoned mines [13,15]. Obracaj and Sas [13] have presented theoretical possibilities for energy recovery in mines. Also, Kalantari and Ghoreishi-Madiseh [16] have found that mine exhaust heat recovery (MEHR) can signifcantly save fuel costs in a case study.…”