| Summary: | Industrial and mining sectors are amongst the largest single energy consumers in South
Africa, making them a primary focus for implementing energy saving initiatives.
Refrigeration systems on mines are responsible for consuming up to25 % of the electrical
energy consumption on a typical South African deep level mine. Ample opportunities to
reduce the energy consumption of these systems exists, as many of the current systems rely
on old technology and function under partial or inadequate control management.
In compiling this thesis, various energy saving strategies on deep level mines were
investigated. In specific, the effects of controlling and improving the cooling auxiliaries.
Scenarios were investigated and simulated, where after an optimum solution was
implemented. Implementations, such as the ones covered in this dissertation, form part of the
IDM (Integrated Demand Management) energy efficiency incentive introduced by Eskom,
where funding is made available based on actual power saving; ensuring that the projects will
be financially viable to the clients.
Reduced electrical energy consumption realised from the abovementioned projects were
measured, captured and compared to the consumption before project implementation to
determine the achieved savings. Savings of up to 30 % of the plant installed capacity were
realised, providing average savings of up to 2.3 MW per day. === Thesis (MIng (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013
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