Ventset™

COOL, PRODUCTIVE AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT

CONCEPT

The Ventset™ system comprises of cellular concrete (CellconTM), pumped into retaining polypropylene paddock wall structures, which are constructed in the stoping or development environment to improve ventilation flow and reduce thermal loading of the ventilation air.

Previously mined-out areas are effectively hermetically sealed, thereby restricting the flow of heat into the passing ventilation.

FEATURES

• The Ventset™ system can utilise either pre bagged material or grout from an existing surface plant
• A mix design is specially tailored to suit the grout plant mix and the ventilation system
• The grout is transported to the underground workings via the mine’s grout ranges
• A customised in-line foam generator and pump, situated in the stoping environment, converts the grout into cellular concrete
• This low density cellular concrete, called Cellcon™, is pumped into a 100mm wide polypropylene paddock wall
• Cellcon™ is a low density product (400 to 1200 kg/m3) with excellent thermal insulating properties - the aeration of the grout can reduce the volume of pumped grout by 40%
• Cellcon™ sets into a >1MPa strength concrete after 7 days to form permanent 100mm wide ventilation paddock walls
• The density and strength is inter related and can be modified to meet the individual mine’s requirements

BENEFITS

• Ventset™ utilises the mine’s current grout plant and ranges
• Reduces the pumped volume of grout
• Eliminates free water in the stoping environment, thereby reducing water pumping
• Provides permanent ventilation walls, which can withstand a blast at 12m from the face
• Improves ventilation flow in the working environment
• Reduces the ambient temperature in the working environment
• Reduces energy consumption from the mine’s cooling plant and equipment
• Safer and healthier environment by sealing off the worked out back areas
• Maintains sweeping and vamping up to date in the back areas
• Productivity improvements due to better working conditions
• Optimises shaft time

LAYOUT

• Ventset™ provides permanent ventilation walls that are constructed on dip and strike to ensure the intake air is maintained on the working areas
• Can be used with temporary ventilation curtains
• Provide holing seals of the yield support pillars
• Integrates with the mining, cleaning and support activities
• Installed as close as 12m from the face   

INSTALLATION

• Duraset provides trained contractors who install the Ventset™ system:
  
  • Providing specially trained operators
  • Supplying the paddock materials
  • Constructing the ventilation paddock walling
  • Filling of the ventilation walls with Cellcon™ in compliance with the mine’s production and services departments
• Ensures that all working areas are kept up to date therefore managing the mine’s ventilation control systems within the production demands.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS

Cellcon™ can be used as a void fill to stabilise cavities after falls of ground
Ventset™ principle can be used as support for strata control known as Strataset™, where it can be pumped into appropriately sized dip and strike retaining polypropylene paddock bag structures.

Download Ventset™ Brochure (912 KB)