Simsmart Technologies Ventilation-On-Demand, Expandable Energy Control for Underground Ventilation, Pumps and Electrical Equipment

Simsmart Technologies is a Canadian company based in Brossard, Quebec, with offices and field technical personnel based in Sudbury, Ontario. Simsmart employs professional process control engineers, underground ventilation specialists, mining engineers, field application engineers and offers turn-key control and optimization solutions for ventilation, pumps and other electrical equipment.

Increasing health and safety regulatory control, rapid energy cost escalation and operating cost of mining as mines go deeper are driving the global mining industry to react vigorously.

Expandable energy control for mines and tunnels

Simsmart Technologies (Simsmart) has recognized the above urgent mining facts and challenges and has perfected a mining solution adapted from its military business to control and optimize underground ventilation, pumps and other electrical equipment.

Simsmart now offers the mining industry a complete SCADA system called SmartEXEC. SmartEXEC stands for smart expandable energy control. SmartEXEC fully supports ventilation-on-demand (VOD).

Turnkey expandable solutions for existing PLC or DCS-based controls

SmartEXEC is a turnkey expandable solution that integrates to existing PLC or DCS based controls, their expansion, instrumentation and optionally personnel and machinery tracking.

SmartEXEC is an advanced, yet very flexible, expandable mine and tunneling ventilation control system. In addition, tagging and tracking systems will permit greater SmartEXEC energy savings and optimum air distribution. Simsmart may, at the customer request, modify or expand an existing automation system or provide a new automation implementation where either option may be inclusive of all required underground electrical, control and communication infrastructures. Simsmart offers turn-key installation optionally inclusive of personnel and machinery tagging and tracking.

Implementation of SmartEXEC mine ventilation systems

SmartEXEC offers five levels of system implementation from an entry level to a complete solution adaptable to each customer’s needs. Each implementation level offers unique benefits.

Level 1 offers surface / remote manual control and monitoring using a low-maintenance very flexible integrated HMI (fans on-off or VFD speed setpoint, controllable doors, regulators / dampers).

Level 2 offers event based and scheduling control applicable to all implementation control levels. Events are executed on a time basis, on signal threshold or on demand (i.e. zone flushing, shutdown, pre blast, post blast, shift start, high gas concentration, etc.).

Level 3 offers operator setpoint for flow, gas concentration and temperature control.

Level 4 offers flow control via ventilation demand calculation as a function of personnel location and machinery location and operating status. A link to a tagging and tracking system is required for this implementation level. Tracking may cover zone in / out gates to full tracking coverage. SmartEXEC may be provided with a turnkey tracking system or link to an existing or planned tracking installation.

Level 5 offers mine wide air distribution optimization and surface fans energy optimization.

SmartEXEC Engineering and Project Execution

SmartEXEC projects are executed in three distinctive phases to minimize customer risk and assure compliance to customer requirements and expectations.

SmartEXEC projects are executed in three distinctive phases to minimize customer risk and assure compliance to customer requirements and expectations.

A phase 1 executes preliminary engineering (at a scoping or feasibility level).

A phase 2 executes detailed engineering and production of the SmartEXEC system HMI, controls, optimization and optional ventilation model.

And finally, a phase 3 installs, commissions and sets to work the SmartEXEC system and related required underground infrastructure.

Underground ventilation custom design and system design assessment engineering services

Simsmart offers professional engineering consulting services specializing in the assessment and design of underground ventilation systems for new or existing mines, tunnels or other subsurface facilities.

SmartEXEC benefits

In summary, with SmartEXEC, Simsmart and its customers are working to firmly establish the following main areas of opportunity:

• Optimize ventilation energy savings of up to 50% through one to five levels of system implementation
• Potential added benefits by lowering carbon emissions when electrical power produced with diesel generators
• Optimize health and safety benefits
• Operational optimization in production enhancement (route more air to active production zones)
• Capital expenditure potential reduction in future ventilation infrastructure (make full use of existing available air rather than investing in new ventilation infrastructure)

Energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction grants

SmartEXEC implementation qualifies for available energy efficiency related and / or carbon emission reduction grants for engineering assessment and system installation in several jurisdictions. Simsmart can assist in applying for these grants.