Compressed Air Management System (CAMS)
The Compressed Air Management System (CAMS) is a breathable air system that is unique to the market; offering a range of features aimed at reducing running costs and improving operational safety during an emergency.
Aside from providing clean breathable air through a superior four-phase filtration process, some of the major benefits of CAMS include; optimisation of mine air services, guarantee against over pressurisation of the refuge chamber, gas toxicity monitoring, flood protection, and reduced service time during filter change-out.
All new MineARC Refuge Chambers with compressed air requirements are supplied with CAMS. Currently owned chambers can be upgraded with the CAMS upon request.
- Faster service time
- Flood Protection Valve for automatic mine air shut off in the event of water ingress
- Air toxicity monitoring and emergency shut off valve
- Optimisation of mine air usage, resulting in considerably reduced operational costs
- Security against over-pressurisation
One of the major operational expenses for any mine is the electrical cost of running mine air and air compressors. MineARC Systems identified that by optimising the flow of air required to maintain an operational refuge chamber, we could give our clients considerable savings.
Previously, refuge chambers were set to run at 50% flow rate to maintain operational standard. The new CAMS has an air pressure sensor and shut off valve, allowing it to regulate air flow into the chamber, automatically emitting periodic ‘bursts’ of compressed air when the internal pressure drops below 200Pa. This maintains a positive pressure ‘seal’, ensuring contaminants cannot enter the refuge chamber from the outside.
The flow diagram below indicates the path a compressed airline will take before reaching the mine site’s major production requirements. Generally set to run at 50% flow rate to maintain operational standard, refuge chambers put a large strain on compressed air usage. With the inclusion of CAMS, chamber compressed air consumption will fall to 0 CFM for 99% of the time, assuming they are properly sealed.
*Figures based on typical mine site operation. Compressed air flow to refuge chambers set at a conservative 50%. Leaks are hypothetical and could present more frequently. Order of production equipment will vary per mine site.
