THE wide functionality, large event and fault recording capabilities, reduced footprint, as well as cost reductions, were the key factors in Sasol Mining’s choice of ABB Relion protection relays for its new substation at the Syferfontein mine.
Sasol Mining undertakes the integrated energy and chemical company’s coal mining operations. Sasol Mining operates six coal mines that supply approximately 40 million tons per annum of thermal coal feedstock. At the company’s largest colliery, the Syferfontein mine in the Secunda area, Sasol Mining identified that the ventilation shaft was not sufficient to ensure the required aeration of the mining district. To ensure an uninterrupted power supply to a new ventilation shaft, a new substation was needed.
In underground mining, ventilation systems are of paramount importance to ensure safe working conditions for people. Ventilation systems provide clean air, dilute and remove dust as well as natural and machine exhaust gases, and provide cooling for personnel and machinery. Ventilation systems need to run continuously 24 hours a day, throughout the year, which means an uninterrupted power supply is a key requirement. The energy demand is significant and ventilation systems are currently the largest consumers of power in underground mines, accounting for as much as 50 percent of energy use.
Functionality, flexibility and cost-saving
For the new substation that feeds the new ventilation shaft, Sasol Mining chose a protection and control solution with ABB’s Relion relays from the product family’s 615 and 620 series, as well as the all-in-one protection relay REX640 to be installed in the medium-voltage switchgear. This is the first installation with ABB’s Relion protection and control relays for Sasol Mining.
“A key consideration for us when deciding in favour of the Relion relays was that they offered all the functionality we need,” said senior electrical engineer at Sasol Mining, Divesh Ramasur.
