Optimal energy management for a jaw crushing process in deep mines

This paper develops two optimal control models for the energy management of a mining crushing process based on jaw crushers. The performance index for both models is defined as the energy cost to be minimized by accounting for the time-of-use electricity tariff. The first model is referred to as a variable load-based optimal control with the feeder speed and closed-side setting of the jaw crusher as control variables. The second model is the optimal switching control. From the simulation results, it is demonstrated that there is a potential of reducing the energy cost and energy consumption associated with the operation of jaw crushing stations in deep mines while meeting technical and operational constraints. Due to the inefficiency of the jaw crushing machine, whose no-load power consumption is between 40 and 50% of its rated power, the optimal switching control technique is shown to be a better candidate in reducing both energy cost and consumption of the jaw crushing station. The benefit of having an ore pass with a big storage capacity is shown to be of great importance in achieving more energy cost reduction of the primary jaw crushing station while improving the switching frequency profile associated with the switching controller. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.