A computer program has been developed to determine the optimum combinations
of main-fan pressure, booster-fan pressure and booster-fan position in a l
arge mine ventilation network that will maintain specified fresh air flows
and minimize total air-power consumption.
The modular program, which combines application of a genetic-algorithm opti
mization technique with a ventilation network simulator, has already been a
pplied in a preliminary study of the optimization of a simple, representati
ve mine ventilation network. That study is now extended by application of t
he method to a large United Kingdom mine ventilation network. The results p
roduced by the new study confirm that the selective rating of the main surf
ace fan and rating and location of the booster fan can minimize the total p
ower consumption and reduce the operating costs of the ventilation system.