Jannatec, Newtrax and Simsmart Join Forces to Provide an Optimized Real-Time Ventilation-on-Demand Solution for Underground Mines
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Benefits for underground mines include improved mine productivity, 20-50% reduction in ventilation energy costs, decrease of skilled labor workload, improved miner safety and reduced carbon emissions.
MONTREAL, Quebec, SUDBURY, Ontario - February 25, 2008 - Jannatec Radio Technologies Inc., Newtrax Technologies Inc. and Simsmart Technologies Inc., announced that they have entered into a strategic partnership agreement to provide an optimized Ventilation-On-Demand (VOD) solution for underground mines.
Ventilation currently accounts for 35-50% of an underground mine energy consumption. For large mines, this can represent up to $20-30M per year. By integrating their leading edge and proven technologies, Jannatec, Newtrax and Simsmart have developed a VOD system that enables optimal energy management of mine ventilation based on automated real-time tracking of diesel equipment and personnel combined with dynamic modeling, simulation and optimization of air mass flows. Underground mines with this type of real-time optimized VOD system will benefit from a 20-50% reduction in ventilation energy costs, improved mine productivity, decrease of skilled labor workload, improved miner safety and reduced carbon emissions.
The VOD system is composed of a battery-powered wireless communication infrastructure from Newtrax that connects hundreds of sensors, diesel equipment and mining personnel equipped with Johnny Light(TM) cap lamps from Jannatec to the Simsmart OM-VOD system. "Simsmart is a worldwide standard in the naval military industry and their dynamic modeling and simulation based technology is orders of magnitude better than scheduling based solutions currently being offered in the marketplace. We've been collaborating closely in the past year to present an integrated solution for VOD in underground mines and Simsmart's technology is a perfect fit with the Newtrax battery-powered wireless mesh network," said Alexandre Cervinka, Founder & CEO of Newtrax.
Simsmart's advanced dynamic modeling and simulation tool continuously calculates optimal ventilation settings for all components of the ventilation system based on diesel equipment location and operating status, personnel location, government regulations and user-defined guidelines. The optimized set points are fed back to the fans and air flow regulators through the Newtrax network, or through any existing PLC network. The mine ventilation optimization system comes with a complete control panel software allowing mine operators to visualize the behavior of the optimizer and monitor system status. At any time, the operator may override automatic control of fans and gain full manual control of individual fans and air flow regulators.
The personnel tracking component of the real-time optimized VOD solution is a result of a close collaboration between Newtrax and Jannatec. "Jannatec thrives on adding innovative features to its Johnny Light(TM) line of products," said Wayne Ablitt, President of Jannatec Radio Technologies. "By partnering with Newtrax to integrate their wireless technology module in our cap lamps, we can offer the most reliable and cost effective personnel tracking and safety system to our clients."
Installation, extension and maintenance of the Newtrax tracking and communication infrastructure is simple, quick and low-cost. Newtrax battery-powered wireless infrastructure nodes, which act as both tag readers and mesh routers, are completely self-contained and can last up to 10 years on batteries. Existing communication infrastructure, including leaky feeder, Ethernet or fiber communication backbones, can be leveraged to interconnect isolated Newtrax networks and as a backhaul link to surface. Typical applications include pervasive online tracking, monitoring, control and messaging. "The Simsmart Optimized Mine VOD software (OM-VOD) depends on reliable real-time tracking, monitoring and control of hundreds of terminal devices connected to diesel machinery, personnel, sensors, and actuators underground. Simsmart evaluated several different tracking technologies and Newtrax is clearly the most reliable and cost-effective option to fill the gap between standard telecom infrastructure and the requirements of real-time Optimized Mine VOD," said Michel Masse, President of Simsmart.
A technical session about this innovative solution will be held at the Maintenance Engineering / Mine Operators' Conference (MEMO) held in Val-d'Or, Quebec, Tuesday February 26, 2008 at 11:30 AM. Pilot projects are also underway at Canadian underground mining sites to showcase the potential of this optimized VOD solution. To stay informed about future development of these projects or learn more, please contact Michel Masse +1-514-923-9391, mmasse@simsmart.com or visit the following web sites:
http://newtraxtech.com/en/underground/vod, http://simsmart.com/index_files/Page3164.htm.
About Jannatec Radio Technologies - www.jannatec.com
Our firm's roots began over 20 years ago. When the company was founded it was primarily a paging and wireless two-way radio company. As markets and technology changed, we changed and are now a manufacturer of equipment primarily for the world mining industry. However, we did not forget our roots and still design and supply two - way radio systems to a variety of markets.
Jannatec Radio Technologies is now a member of the Schauenburg group (www.schauenburg.com). The name Schauenburg has a long tradition in industry and stands for continuous, controlled entrepreneurial growth, geared towards the need of the customer.
In light of ever-changing technology, our goal is to manufacture products of excellent quality that exceed the needs of our customers at a competitive cost. We will accomplish this in a safe manner with respect and care for the environment. As a member of Quadrem Group and ISO 9001 certification, we are dedicated to serving our customers in the global marketplace.
Contact information:
Wayne Ablitt, President, direct: 705-524-3639, email: wablitt@jannatec.com
Marc Montpellier, Service Manager, direct: 705-524-3639, email: mmontpellier@jannatec.com
About Newtrax Technologies - www.newtraxtech.com
Founded in 2002, Newtrax Technologies Inc. is a privately owned company with headquarters in Montreal, Canada. The company's vision is to provide the most reliable, user friendly and cost effective solutions for monitoring, control, messaging and tracking in harsh environments without grid power outlets. Newtrax's technological advantages include low installation and maintenance costs, access to new applications in dynamic or hazardous environments where wires are not an option and range extension with multiple hops. The company's intellectual property portfolio includes several patents pending and industrial secrets.
Contact information:
Alexandre Cervinka, CEO, direct: 514-994-0633, email: acervinka@newtraxtech.com
Bruno Morency, VP Marketing, direct: 514-806-6730, email: bmorency@newtraxtech.com
About Simsmart Technologies - www.simsmart.com
Simsmart Technologies is a privately held company with headquarters in Montreal. Simsmart offers process engineering, optimization and training products and turn-key solutions to the military and general industry sectors. Simsmart modeling & simulation products are real-time and multi-discipline for systems involving liquids, gases, ventilation, electrical generation and distribution, diesel and gas turbine power plants, and controls. Simsmart has delivered products and solutions in a dozen countries around the world.
Contact information:
Michel Masse, President, direct: 450-923-0400 ext: 224, mmasse@simsmart.com
