12th U.S.

/North American Mine Ventilation Symposium 2008 Wallace (ed) ISBN 978-0-615-20009-5

Using the K.I.S.S. principle in ventilation modeling

T. R. Paquin
HATCH Ltd. Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
ABSTRACT: Powerful, easy to manipulate, ventilation modeling software is readily available to most mining engineers. Too often when preparing an initial ventilation model, engineers will go overboard in their design, creating a complex model with hundreds of branches. When, in practice, the creation of a less complicated to the point model, containing a few well-constructed branches, would have delivered the same results. In this paper the author will demonstrate, by using actual feasibility report examples, that when designing a ventilation model, engineers should make more use of the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid) Principle. As mining industry consultants we must continue to improve on, and deliver timely and cost-effective results to our customers. 1 Introduction
given formula and state an outcome. Ventilation engineers have to rely not only on common sense, safe practices, and practical experience, but the proper use of ventilation planning software. Many operating mines now have their ventilation systems constructed around detailed 3D models. These models often depict the mine in its true geometry, and are generally accurate; however they require vigilance in updating as well as calibrating. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to have an accurate up to date working model. This allows the ventilation planner to make additions and changes with confidence, know that the data which formed the basis of the model were derived from actual field readings. Both of which require time, a commodity which is lacking in most operations. In operations as well as in consulting, your client expects an answer quickly. In our early careers, regardless of where in the world we were employed, weve come up against an older and seasoned mine foreman eager to eat up a young ventilation planner. Unfortunately that scenario is still present today. 2.2 Consulting In consulting we are often pulled between multiple projects and demanding clients. Clients pay good money, and rightly so, for our services and demand timely results for these services. By employing the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid) Principle in planning, designs, modeling, and thinking the consultants time can be better split between our daily multiple tasks and clients. That is not to say detailed analyses and 3D design are not necessary, but we, as well as our clients, need to understand there is a time and place for a particular level of accuracy and detail. I once worked with an experienced consulting mining engineer whose favorite line was, dont deliver the client a Cadillac, when he asked for a Pinto. By properly wording a proposal, and understanding the clients needs; time and money can be saved for both the client and the consultancy by eliminating time over-runs (non billable overtime). Many consultants believe they should be over-charging and providing a level of service dictated by a hot market.

Whether as a ventilation consultant producing a deliverable to a client or as a ventilation planning engineer producing a deliverable to a mine, ventilation planning and design using computer modeling software has become a daily occurrence. Gone are the days when all data was hand calculated or inputted into a spreadsheet. Those methods are more likely done today as spot checks to a computer model. Ventilation design is now completed on the fly, or in other words, as required to a level of detail which fits the design and request. By employing the K.I.S.S. principle in ventilation modeling design, savings in both time and money is achieved. Its a win-win situation for both the client and the consultant, and most importantly model accuracy is not compromised. The majority of the information in this paper is best suited to a consultancy, however when a deliverable is requested it is generally not different whether it comes from a client or a mine engineering department. The examples cited in this paper are actual working models which formed part of a mining feasibility study.

Modeling Resources

2.1 Operations Many engineering departments at mine sites have been down-sized. This downsizing has often come at the expense of ventilation planning personnel. These individuals are expected not only to carry out surface ventilation planning duties, but in most cases also cover substantial underground beats as well. Often new graduates are employed in operations. These individuals are computer wizards, eager to sit down and begin modeling, or able to spit out formulae and equations; however they are often lacking practical knowledge and experience, two qualities which are essential in ventilation planning. Young engineers must see how important it is to see practically how these formulas are derived, and to arrive at an outcome, than to just use a

605

To a point this is true, however a satisfied client is a returning client. We live in cyclic times. Saving time (= money) has benefits for both the client and the consultant. If we can deploy a simpler method of ventilation modeling, not only can we have more clients at one time, but we can better serve all these clients by producing results timelier.

General Design Parameters Using The KISS Principle

A couple of simple design parameters should be addressed before beginning your model. These include: What is the client asking for? This must be clearly laid out when you read their request for proposal and secondly when you submit your proposal. If the client requests a study which requires complex designs, either in 2D or 3D. Then that is what you deliver. However if the client has several scenarios to run, and the level of study supports it, then using the K.I.S.S. Principle is warranted. Always verify and check your data entry. Use best practices when estimating k-values. Or better yet if data is available from the mine, use it. There is no substitute for real data. When possible, model the ramp and raises as a single, or in as few lines as possible. In most schematic models the ramp is modeled as a zigzag. This is a common method of depicting a ramp as it mimics a spiral. Raises are commonly modeled by sub-level. Esthetically most people like to see ramps and raises modeled in this manner. However, both of these methods create unnecessary branches, and if each branch has to be populated, these methods of depiction can become very time consuming. Use common sense and let your experience guide you.

Figure 1. Schematic view of Model 1- Conventional, with 108 branches. 4.2 Model 1-KISS In Model 1-KISS the elimination of 90% of the branches was achieved (Figure 2). This resulted in a savings in time of 83% in construction of the model. The Model 1-KISS was completed in just over two hours. A comparison of the fixed quantities of the two models shows the results of the K.I.S.S model compare favorably with the conventional model. Well within any tolerances required at a feasibility level study (Table 2).

Modeling Examples

4.1 Model 1- Conventional Model 1-Conventional was modeled for the development of a Kimberlite Pipe (Figure 1). This conventional model contained 118 branches. Not large by mine operational standards but somewhere in the middle in terms of size when constructing a pre or feasibility level model. The conventional model took approximately 12 hours to complete, including time for modifications and calibrating (Table 1). Table 1. Model 1-KISS/Model 1-Conventional Data Comparison Model Type K.I.S.S. Conventional Total Branches 18 108 Variance (+/-) -90% Completion Time (hrs) 2 12 Variance (+/-) -83%

Figure 2. Schematic view of the original Model 1Conventional after K.I.S.S., with 18 branches

606

Table 2. Fixed Quantity Comparison Model 1- Conventional Branch Fixed Booster Description Quantity Pressure (m3/s) (Pa) Main Intake Raise 129.3 1767.3 Cross Cut Drift 0.47 Intake Raise 129.3 569.3 Model 1- K.I.S.S. Branch Description Main Intake Raise Cross Cut Drift Intake Raise

4.4 Model 2-KISS In Model 2-KISS the elimination of 47% of the branches was achieved. This resulted in a savings in time of 75% in construction of the model. The Model 2-KISS was completed in just over two hours (Figure 4). A comparison of the fixed quantities of the two models shows the results of the K.I.S.S model compare almost exactly with the conventional model. Well within any tolerances required at a feasibility level study (Table 4).

Resistance (Ns2/m8) 0.02612 0.00345 0.00529

Fixed Quantity (m3/s) 129.3 0.47 129.3

Booster Pressure (Pa) 1713.0 599.5

Resistance (Ns2/m8) 0.02632 0.00113 0.00522

4.3 Model 2-Conventional Model 2-Conventional was modeled from the development of a Multi-Level steeply dipping ore body (Figure 3). The conventional model contained 78 branches. The conventional model took approximately 8 hours to complete, including time for modifications and calibrating (Table 3).

Figure 4. Schematic view of the original Model B after K.I.S.S., with 31 branches. Table 4. Fixed Quantity Comparison Model 2- Conventional Branch Fixed Booster Description Quantity Pressure 3 (m /s) (Pa) Lower Ramp XCuts 59 169.3 Lower Ramp XCuts 40 282.7 Main Intake Raise 229 4210.9 Figure 3. Schematic view of Model 2-Conventional, with 78 branches. Table 3. Model 2-KISS/Model 2-Conventional Data Comparison Model Type Total Branches Variance (+/-) Completion Time (hrs) Variance (+/-) K.I.S.S. 31 -47% 2 -75% Conventional 78 8 Model 2- K.I.S.S. Branch Description Lower Ramp XCuts Lower Ramp XCuts Main Intake Raise

Resistance (Ns2/m8) 0.00122 0.00073 0.00675

Fixed Quantity (m3/s) 59 40 229

Booster Pressure (Pa) 169.2 282.6 4213.7

Resistance (Ns2/m8) 0.00122 0.00073 0.00675

607

Summary and Conclusion

The results achieved through these four examples show that The K.I.S.S principle is best suited for higher level (scoping, pre-feasibility level) ventilation studies. As was depicted by the examples shown in this study, using the K.I.S.S. principle can save time and money. Savings of 50% in both time and branches can have a huge impact, both to the client and to the consultant. More importantly it can bee shown that less does not equate to less accuracy. As long as the engineer is accurate in his measurements when inputting the data, and uses common sense and best practice, there should be no reason to challenge these results. When constructing a 3D model one must design firstly for accuracy. Once accuracy is achieved and the model is providing the desired output then the engineer can apply some K.I.S.S. philosophy to the design. Just as mines are evolving, with workings, tonnages, and equipment getting larger, so must we evolve trying new methods and exploring new ideas. As more and more demands are put on our time, and results expected quicker, we should be not be averse to simplifying our designs. When designing for simplicity, we must always never loose sight of the fact that our designs must reflect a measure of safety, and be built around practical experience and common sense.

608