A new model to analyze performance of mine exhaust heat recovery systems with coupled heat exchangers. (15th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ghoreishi-Madiseh, Seyed Ali; Kalantari, Hosein; Kuyuk, Ali Fahrettin; Sasmito, Agus P.
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 256(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12-15
• Subjects: Mine exhaust heat recovery -- Underground mining -- Mine air conditioning -- Energy recovery; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113922
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Highlights: A numerical model to assess the performance of mine exhaust heat recovery system. Model comparison and validation carried out based on existing literature. Thermally coupled and decoupled heat transfer models are compared. Hourly ambient air temperature data is used to estimate energy and carbon savings. Impacts of heat exchangers effectiveness and mine intake air flow rate are studied. Abstract: Mine air conditioning is a common practice where liners and other shaft units should be protected against freezing temperatures in cold regions. In conventional mine intake air conditioning applications, heating is usually performed with natural gas burners, accounting intense energy consumption and emissions. This fossil fuel dependency issue can be effectively mitigated with a heat recovery and reutilization technique called mine exhaust heat recovery. Mine exhaust heat recovery systems can ensure large savings with minimum fossil burning at relatively lower operating costs. Present paper investigates the applicability of a novel numerical heat transfer model to assess the performance of mine exhaust recovery systems with comparably higher precision. Unlike other work done in the field, this work also considers the coupling effect between the heat exchangers involved. Accordingly, the operational significance and the impact of thermal coupling in the model is highlighted in detail with an emphasis on the project financial feasibility. Furthermore, a parametric study is also presented identifying the impact of different parameters i.e. heat exchanger effectiveness and airflow rate on savings for a real-life Canadian underground mine example.