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By W. E. MacDonald

This paper relates the story of 100 years of mining in the Harbour Seam at the Princess Colliery, Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia. Several interesting anecdotes are included along with the discussion of the evolution of coal mining methods in the area. Finally, some of the recently introduced equipment at Princess Colliery is described, and prospects for the future of the industry are outlined.

Jan 1, 1968

By T. R. Ellis

The valuation of mineral properties in the U.S. is only partially regulated. The regulations which have jurisdiction or impact appear to have such mainly as a consequence of unintended fallout, since the regulations were designed for other purposes. Court case history can also be important. The combined results are a mixture of bad and good, with important lessons to be learned. Since 1981, the Securities and Exchange Commission has prohibited U.S. listed companies from reporting quantitative estimates of mineralization and the value of mineralization, other than proven and probable reserves. This results in the minerals appraiser (valuator) working with a shortage of data in his everyday work, both on the subject property and in sales analysis. Between 1989 and 1995, all 50 states and essentially all federal agencies adopted the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) for real property appraisals (valuations). The major national appraisal societies also require their members to abide by USPAP. A significant portion of minerals appraisals must now follow these standards. This paper will discuss the content of USPAP. It provides a very good framework for the valuation of a minerals property or a mine, both as real property and as a business. However, the credentialing standards for real property appraisers are now prohibitive for minerals appraisers.

Mar 1, 2002

By T. R. Ellis

"The valuation of mineral properties in the U.S. is only partially regulated. The regulations which have jurisdiction or impact appear to have such mainly as a consequence of unintended fallout, since the regulations were designed for other purposes. Court case history can also be important. The combined results are a mixture of bad and good, with important lessons to be learned.Since 1981, the Securities and ExchangeCommission has prohibited U.S. listed companies from reporting quantitative estimates of mineralization and the value of mineralization, other than proven and probable reserves. This results in the minerals appraiser (valuator) working with a shortage of data in his everyday work, both on the subject property and in sales analysis.Between 1989 and 1995, all 50 states and essentially all federal agencies adopted the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) for real property appraisals (valuations). The major national appraisal societies also require their members to abide by USPAP. A significant portion of minerals appraisals must now follow these standards. This paper will discuss the content of USPAP. It provides a very good framework for the valuation of a minerals property or a mine, both as real property and as a business. However, the credentialing standards for real property appraisers are now prohibitive for minerals appraisers."

Jan 1, 2002

By Karl J. C. Harries

"12.1. NO DEPRECIATION/GAAPAll calculations and computations relating to the Royalty shall be carried out in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied to the extent that such principles are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Schedule and the agreement attached hereto, it being specifically agreed that nothing herein contained shall permit, or be construed to permit, the Operator to deduct any amount for depletion, depreciation, amortization or any deduction that represents a non-cash outlay.Comment: In cases like net profit royalties where recoupment of prior expenditures is permitted, care should be taken to avoid any implication that depreciation may also be taken. It is only logical and equitable that Property Owners should not be permitted an apparent ability to “double dip” with respect to deductions. A provision like this example should accomplish the task. It will be noted that the example specifically contemplates that the negotiated arrangements will prevail over any requirements of GAAP. Accordingly, if the parties agree to an unusual formula for recoupment, it will not be set aside to accommodate GAAP requirements. Under GAAP, revenues and expenditures are accounted for on an accrual basis. In addition, it specifically prohibits the taking of non-cash deductions, which is in keeping with the concept of recoupment.Although in some ways the example states the obvious and could be considered redundant, its presence, especially in provisions contemplating recoupment, makes it clear to the financial people that there may well be some variations from normal practices dictated by GAAP, while at the same time confirming the availability of GAAP to fill any voids.The accounting profession often makes the caveat that application of GAAP is an “art”, not a “science”. GAAP do not provide a cure-all and can create problems that will have to be addressed. For example, GAAP contemplate that asset costs are to be reduced by investment tax credits, which can cause a problem for a payor with more than one mine."

Jan 1, 2003

By F. E. du Plessis

"The distinction between data suitable for process control and data subject to aliasing only becomes quantifiable with the availability of rapid real-time measurements. Expecting the dynamics of flotation to vary for different ore types, process flows and equipment types; a study was conducted to compare the dynamics of different flotation processes. The results shed light on the critical sampling intervals required for process control which in turn allows process stabilization and optimization. The technology used for the in-line measurements is based on diffuse reflective spectroscopy and has been introduced into the mineral processing industry over the past ten years. It has been widely implemented in the sulphide flotation industry in South Africa for the real-time measurement of grade.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE A study was conducted by Du Plessis and Keet (2010) to quantify the minimum sample frequency required for grade and/or impurity control. The study was based on chromite data collected at 15 second intervals from the concentrate line of a flash float cell in the Platinum industry. The data captured the natural process variation of the entrained chromite through water recovery due to changes in feed parameters and flotation performance. It was found that the minimum rate of sampling required from the studied flash float concentrate was 2 minutes. This sampling interval time accounted for 90% of the variance in the process data. It was further found that a sampling interval time of longer than 4 minutes produced data with no significant correlation to reality. The dynamics of the flotation process has been misjudged in the past but can be quantified with the availability of real-time grade measurement based on diffuse reflective spectroscopy. The objective of the study was to compare the dynamics of different sulphide flotation processes through the comparison of maximum sampling interval times required to combat aliasing. All data were collected from single stream analyzers that are currently installed at mineral concentrators. The technology used is based on diffuse reflective spectroscopy."

Jan 1, 2012

By C. Ciriello

Six Sigma methodology, as applied within Xstrata (formerly Falconbridge and Noranda), involves a disciplined approach to managing projects, solving problems, improving performance, and leveraging information. The four (4) cornerstones of Six Sigma are the use of Philosophy (customer driven, desire to improve and discipline), Metrics (measurement systems), Methodology (scientific method and sequence of deliverables), and Tools (such as statistics, change management, and root cause analysis). This paper will outline the general steps of the Six Sigma methodology and demonstrate how each phase directly applies to a real plant metallurgical project aimed at reducing nickel losses of the rougher flotation circuit at Raglan. The main concepts of Six Sigma are described, along with the specific challenges, successes, and deliverables related to the project. It is also the authors' aim to demystify the basic Six Sigma principles.

Jan 1, 2007

By R. A. Brown

RIGHT NOW the Canadian oil business is suffering from growing pains brought on by developments outside our borders. I would like, therefore, to place our industry in perspective for you in two ways. I would like first to describe it briefly and let you see it in relation to the world oil industry. Then I would like to bring it back and place it into perspective against a strictly Canadian background. Naturally, in such a discussion, it is necessary to use a certain amount of statistical material. I'll endeavour, however, to keep it to a minimum. Eleven years ago, before the discovery of Leduc, Alberta could boast of having 21,000,000 barrels of crude oil reserves. Five years ago we had 1,810,000,000 barrels. At year end, 1957, our remaining recoverable reserves totalled more than 3,000,000,000 barrels. In 1957, our potential production in Alberta reached an all-time high of 756,000 barrels a day. Unfortunately, our actual average daily production dropped from 393,000 barrels per day in 1956 to 376,000 barrels per day in 1957. And in 1958, to date, it has dropped sharply to around 300,000 barrels per day.

Jan 1, 1958

By K. V. Phani Prabhakar, G. Padmanabham1, L. Subashini

Laser-arc Hybrid Welding (LAHW) is a relatively recent concept which effectively combines the advantages of laser welding such as the high depth of penetration, low heat input, high welding speed and the positive aspects of arc welding such as better edge bridging and possibility to add filler. For example, steel sections upto 12 mm thickness have been successfully welded in a single pass at a welding speed of 1 m/minute using a 3.5 kW CO2 laser in combination with a MIG arc. Maraging steel of grade M250 is widely used in the aerospace industry in thicknesses upto 10 mm. Conventionally, it is possible to MIG weld such thicknesses in 3-5 passes employing V-Groove joint preparation. However, this multi-pass welding results in formation of reverted austenite in the weld zone after post weld aging; and the high heat input widens the reverted austenite containing heat affected zone which is popularly known as the dark zone/eyebrow zone. Both these zones are detrimental to strength of the welded joint, specifically the fracture toughness. The width of the dark band is an important factor because, thinner the band, it is supported more effectively by the surrounding material. Therefore, in order to avoid multi-pass welding and reduce the overall heat input, single-pass laser-MIG hybrid welding was attempted on 10 mm thick maraging steel M 250 plates using a hybrid laser arc welding system comprising a 3.5 kW CO2 slab laser and a MIG welding system. Simultaneously, multi-pass MIG welds also are produced. Both the laser-MIG hybrid and MIG welds are characterized microstructurally and subjected to mechanical tests such as tensile and fracture toughness in as-welded and post weld aged condition. The amount and distribution of reverted austenite in the fusion zone and width of the dark band was found to be different. Hybrid welds showed a narrow dark band zone and improved mechanical properties. Laser-hybrid and MIG welding investigations carried out on thick section maraging steel M 250 will be presented in detail, including microstructure, tensile properties and fracture toughness of the welds. To the best of the knowledge of the authors there are no reports on laser-MIG hybrid welding of maraging steels.

Jan 1, 2014

By Flavio Rojos-Tapia, Samuel Sánchez-Pino, Marcelo Fernández-García, Samuel Sánchez-Baquedano, Rainer M. Imhof

"Pneumatic flotation was introduced to the Chilean copper mining industry in 1993 by Ingeniería de Minerales S.A., being implementation in 1994/95. The technology is based on the designs and development of Dr. Rainer Imhof from Germany and from Chilean copper processing experience.Pneumatic flotation has been successfully used for sulphide and oxide copper minerals and copper slag, iron ores (reverse flotation), gold and promising results with molybdenum as product. Extremely hard conditions were applied in flotation process such as roughing, cleaning, scavenging. Pneumatic flotation can be applied for any type of mineral which has to be separated by flotation. Even very dense and heavy slurries can be processed, the range of the particle sizes to be collected is very wide, and the number of cleaning stages needed normally is one in our experience until now.The good performance of the technique can be explained by the high gas hold-up and the very effective micro-turbulences which boosts the attachment to the bubbles changing dramatically the flotation time concept. Some economic high lights are: less energy consumption, less maintenance costs, simple and reliable to operate and it is required a small area to install the circuits.As a result of the Chilean mining industry experience, it can be concluded that the pneumatic flotation can be regarded as an excellent alternative to the conventional way of Mineral Processing.INTRODUCTIONDerived from seventies, works in Germany about pneumatic flotation with Prof. Simonis (Technical University of Berlin) and Prof. Bahr (Technical University of Clausthal), it has been developed an interesting flotation technology in Mineral Processing, with the designs developed by Dr. Rainer Imhof, who has been known for more than ten years (Imhof, 1998) by his contribution at Ekof, KHD, Allmineral and the actual company Maelgwyn Mineral Services where he is a Technical Director. Ingeniería de Minerales S.A. has been working ten years deeply involved with the technology developed by Dr. Imhof and is more than ten years experienced with pneumatic flotation, from Wits University and Mintek in South Africa (Sánchez, 1990), (Sánchez, 1990)."

Jan 1, 2003

By B. St. Pierre

"The alchemists' symbol for antimony is a diamond with a dot in the centre. The latin name ''stibium'' gives this mineral its chemical symbol ""Sb"" and the name to the principal ore containing antimony. This is Stibnite, a sulphide of antimony, and the valuable mineral at the Consolidated Durham operations. Stibnite chemically pure contains 71.69% antimony metal.Antimony is used in many forms, as an alloy in the production of metal products and as chemical compounds of oxides and sulphides. In Biblical times, antimony was used as a medicine and as eyebrow makeup.Today, the largest single use of the metal is as a hardener and strengthener of lead, and corrosion inhibitor in storage batteries. New applications for antimony in its oxide form as fire retardants are broadening the overall demand especially in the chemical, plastic and fabric industries. Other users include the Military for such things as tracer bullets, shrapnel, smoke screens and flame throwers. An unusual property of the metal is that it contracts when heated which has made it a valuable alloying metal in the printing industry, for heat shields on re-entry vehicles used in the space programmes, and also for the manufacture of bearings."

Jan 1, 1977

By O. A. Bascur, J. Patrick. Kennedy

"The lack of integration of mining and metallurgical information at sufficient detail to act is a problem. Without such data, mine cut-off grade can not be optimized on a per grade basis. It is difficult to determine economics without integration of mine transactions, stockpile inventories, process flows and assays. Actions also require real time information from manufacturing assets, but corrected for gross errors from trucks, shovels, conveyors, faulty sensors, bad instrument calibration. Validation methods must include process models to identify corrupt actionable information. This paper presents new tools that use the model the process to sift through available data, identify and eliminate gross errors, and use statistical data reconciliation to create material balanced, internally consistent values. Uses of models allow data to be unified for useby both monitoring and decision making processes.A Real Time Performance Management (RtPM) uses unifying analysis methods to empower everyone in the organization with unparallel real-time intelligence, enabling them to continuously improve performance.BACKGROUNDExtraction of metals has become a global business; new economic and environmental forcing factors are present today which were unheard a couple of years ago that are causing companies to focus on plant operations. High ROI actions can be achieved internally which will increase mining and metallurgical processing unit efficiency and reducing operating costs if the proper information is provided those in the complex that can act. Large changes are possible with many of these small steps if the barriers for action are removed. The chief impediments are lack of infrastructure including the data, computing tools and essential data and bad information.Increased demands will be placed on the types, quantity and priority of information. Metallurgical complexes are attempting to become better neighbors, increase productivity, improve customer service, and satisfy the regulators and compliance groups -- all with fewer people and less costs."

Jan 1, 2004

By J. Duncan Crone

"A test surface Pulse EM(PEM) survey over a plunging massive sulphide lens, located in the Snow Lake area of Manitoba, has shown that it is possible to detect the body to a depth of 300 metres. Another surface survey in the Athabasca basin of Saskatchewan, clearly outlined a large, basement graphitic zone below 450 metres of sandstone cover. Deep detection of these conductive bodies was achieved by energizing large volumes of ground with a strong transmitted EM field. Such large fields also energize all other conductors present in the exploration area. Both of the above survey results indicate that more than one conductor is present. In such cases, detailed field coverage is required for accurate interpretation, and interpretational procedures that assume simple geometrical shapes should be applied with caution. In all cases geological and geophysical information should be coordinated in detail. The first test drill hole still has a high risk of missing the deep conductive body and two or three holes should be budgeted per target.Borehole Pulse EM surveys are now routinely used to help zero in on deep conductive targets. They are also proving effective in development drilling programs by outlining the edges of conductive bodies. The results of surveys from northern Quebec illustrate how they may provide more accurate shape and tonnage estimates."

Jan 1, 1985

By C. M. Diaz, P. J. Mackey

Since its inception, in 1987, the Copper-Cobre series of conferences has established itself as the prime world forum for discussing advances in copper process metallurgy, in particular copper sulfide smelting, copper recovery by leaching and electrowinning and copper electrorefining. All copper producing countries have actively participated in the pyrometallurgy symposia held in the framework of these conferences. In 1999 and 2003, the close to 100 pyrometallurgy papers that were presented had to be accommodated in two volumes. In the present paper, the authors firstly provide a brief historical sketch of the Copper-Cobre conferences and then focus on providing a retrospective look at the dramatic changes that have taken place in copper smelting in the last few decades, primarily as discussed in the Copper-Cobre and precursor conferences pyrometallurgy proceedings. Topics include: the development of autogenous, increasingly more intensive, environmentally sound and energy efficient smelting processes; significant improvements in Peirce-Smith converting practice and at the same time the commercialization of alternative continuous converting routes; the consequent expansion and modernization of smelters; the increasing compliance with strict government environmental regulations in most copper producing regions of the world; the realignment of the copper smelting industry throughout the world; and trends in copper smelting R&D. A look at the future closes these reflections on the contribution of the Copper-Cobre conferences to the advancement of copper smelting technology.

Jan 1, 2007

By Manqiu Xu, Songtao Yang, Zongfu Dai, Robert Pelton

"Hydrophobic polystyrene nanoparticle suspensions were evaluated as potential flotation collectors for pentlandite. Experiments involving both clean model mineral suspensions and complex ultramafic nickel ores confirmed that conventional water-soluble molecular flotation collectors such as xanthate could be partially or completely replaced by hydrophobic nanoparticle flotation collectors. The ability of nanoparticles to induce flotation was demonstrated by floating hydrophilic, negatively charged glass beads with cationic polystyrene nanoparticle collectors. Electrostatic attraction promoted the spontaneous deposition of the nanoparticles on the glass surfaces raising the effective contact angle sufficiently high to promote the adhesion of beads to air bubbles. As little as 10% coverage of the bead surfaces with our most effective nanoparticles could promote high flotation efficiencies, whereas conventional small molecular flotation collector requires ~ 20% or higher coverage for a good recovery. Surface functionalized nanoparticles enhanced the ability for nanoparticle collectors to selectively deposit onto surfaces of the desired mineral particles in the presence of gangue. For example, poly (styrene-co-vinylimidazole) nanoparticles were designed to selectively deposit onto nickel mineral (pentlandite) in the presence of Mg/Si slime. Flotation tests of ultramafic nickel ores at Vale with these nanoparticle collectors have shown improvements in both pentlandite recovery and selectivity. On-going work includes attempts to identify specific applications where nanoparticle flotation collectors might be cost effective.INTRODUCTION Most mineral processing operations include multiple stages of froth flotation to concentrate and isolate the desired product. Before flotation, chemical collectors are routinely added to ground ore slurries, selectively binding to mineral-rich particles, increasing their hydrophobicity thus promoting selective flotation. (Fuerstenau, Jameson, & Yoon, 2007) Conventional collectors are surfactants with a short hydrocarbon tail and a head group, such as xanthate. A typical conventional collector is potassium amyl xanthate (PAX), which is a small molecule with an extended molecular length of about 1 nm. Critical characteristics of a good collector include the ability to selectively adsorb onto desired mineral surfaces and to lower the water/mineral surface energy. Despite the extensive role of flotation in mineral processing, some ores are difficult to process by flotation. For example, ultramafic nickel sulfide ore containing both valuable pentlandite and large quantities of unwanted Mg/Si slime [primarily serpentine, (MgFe)3Si2O5(OH)4] responds poorly to flotation. (Mani, Xu, Quinn, & Stratton-Crawley, 1997) Fibrous hydrophilic Mg/Si slime usually masks the surface of pentlandite (known as “slime coating”) due to electrostatic interaction (Edwards, Kipkie, & Agar, 1980) and dramatically depresses pentlandite flotation. Consequently, new approaches are required for processing these difficult ores."

Jan 1, 2012

By F. E. Lathe

RECENT events have emphasized with renewed force the well known fact that war greatly intensifies the demand for certain metals, particularly for iron, copper, and zinc. Any increase in the use of iron and steel, whether in war or peace, is also accompanied by increased consumption of those metals which find their chief application as ferro-alloys, such as nickel, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, tungsten, and vanadium. Further, since high temperatures are essential for the production of all these metals, activity in the metal industry is inevitably accompanied by an insistent demand for refractories. For example, in North American practice the consumption of magnesitic hearth refractories is frequently expressed in pounds per ton of steel. This quantity (not including straight dolomite) ranges on individual plants from about 7 to 12 pounds. When the industry is operating at approximately full capacity, the ratio of refractory to steel tends to increase, since the tonnage of steel produced is recognized as of paramount importance, and this leads to the harder driving of furnaces and less regard for the effect on refractories. It should also be observed that the cost of refractories per ton of metal produced is always so low, in comparison with other items, that it may even increase while the cost of metal per ton is being reduced through more continuous operation and the use of higher temperatures. As one prominent Canadian copper metallurgist has tersely expressed it, he is "not in business to save refractories but to smelt ore". The effect of war demands and of general industrial activity upon the production of basic and neutral refractories is clearly shown in Figure 1, which gives the value of chrome ore and magnesitic-dolomite produced in Canada during the period 1907 to 1937. Tonnages have not been shown, as these are not available for the full period; such figures as have been published from time to time are not strictly comparable, since both raw rock and finished products have on occasion been included. The preliminary figures for 1938, which are now available, have been prepared by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics on a different basis from those immediately preceding, and have therefore not been shown.

Jan 1, 1940

By V. A. Cooney

Introduction For the compliment paid me by the Institute's kind invitation to speak this afternoon, I am very grateful. For the astuteness of your officers in determining that encouragement should be given, through the medium of a paper, towards accident prevention in coal mines, the coal industry cannot but be grateful. Some day, and let us hope soon, a more developed paper may supersede this one. In the meantime, if some knowledge of what one coal field has been able to accomplish, even in the initial stages of its effort, will induce other fields and other sections of the mining industry to launch similar experiments, much good will result and a more developed dissertation on the subject will make its appearance.

Jan 1, 1946

By I. Nakatsugawa

Chemical conversion coating is a process to create thin oxide/hydroxide film containing several inorganic/organic compounds by way of chemical deposition reaction. In case of the application to Mg mobile electronic housings, the film should possess a good electric conductivity while keeping adequate corrosion resistance and working as a paint base. The use of toxic/hazardous chemicals is strictly prohibited from the environmental aspects. This paper describes the recent trend of conversion coating used for Mg electronic housings and analyzes critically from the point of surface technology. The importance of cleaning process and understanding of surface microstructure are particularly emphasized with several experimental results.

Jan 1, 2006

By John R. Hawley

"This paper is intended as a review of the progress that has been made in the Province of Ontario in the field of acid drainage waste treatment technology.Three years ago, at the Third Annual Meeting of the Canadian Mineral Processors, we presented a paper entitled ""The Problem of Acid Mine Drainage in Ontario"". At that time I was working for the Ontario Water Resources Commission. The paper turned out to be the very beginning of the Commission's acid mine drainage control program. In the intervening three years, the Ontario Water Resources Commission has been amalgamated with other government groups and has evolved into the present Ontario Ministry of the Environment. Today the Ministry is involved in running one of the most advanced acid mine waste control programs in the world.As a part of its mining program, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment has published three major reports which deal directly and specifically with the industrial waste disposal problems that may arise at a mining operation. In order of publication, these reports are as follows:(1) ""The Problem of Acid Mine Drainage in the Province of Ontario"".This 338-page report covers all aspects of the problem of acid mine drainage and includes detailed sections on acid flow detection, acid flow chemistry and acid flow treatment.(2) ""The Use, Characteristics and Toxicity of Mine-Mill Reagents in the Province of Ontario"".This report, 244 pages in length, gives the chemistry and toxicity of nearly all of the chemicals that find common use in the Canadian mining industry. Most of the toxicity figures quoted are the result of a comprehensive bioassay program that was initiated by the Ministry."

Jan 1, 1974

By K. J. G Hedges

"Once a health based guidance limits for exposure to diesel exhaust have been established, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, the program for exposure reduction should incorporate the plan-do-check-adjust cycle. Setting a suitably protective (health based) occupational exposure limit (OEL) for diesel particulate matter (DPM) and nitrogen dioxide is a key driver to reduce exposure. It is important to go beyond regulations and reduce exposure to diesel exhaust, DPM, as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) such as that prescribed under the Australia, Queensland Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Regulation 2017 where under section 135 Limiting workers exposure, the workers exposure must not exceed the exposure limit applying to the worker for the hazard; and is ALARA. It appears that previously acceptable OELs are no longer safe. Therefore it is important that the internal responsibility system be implemented and the precautionary principle approach be followed, especially as it may be some time before a suitably protective OEL specifically for DPM is in place. One leading multi-national mining company BHP Billiton has acknowledged a significant lag that exists between regulatory action and the level of science that informs health risk. This company is managing exposure to diesel exhaust to as low as technically feasible. This same company that has set an interim target for managing diesel exhaust to 0.03 mg/m3 is achieving these levels which paves the way for other mining companies and general industry including construction. The Occupational Cancer Research Centre 2017 recommends reducing personal exposure to within 0.02 mg/m3 (EC) for underground mining and 0.005 mg/m3 for other workplaces. Controlling DPM is important to prevent cancer however it is also important that that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) be reduced (ALARA) and that careful selection of control technology be considered such as the proper selection of a diesel oxidation catalyst so that the level of NO2 does not in fact increase. The example from BHP Billiton provides a leading practice including using a multi-disciplinary approach and the importance of controlling emission at source and having an auditable diesel emissions based monitoring program in place."

Jan 1, 2019

By Nn Li

Energy consumption in commercial buildings has been increasing rapidly in the past decade. The knowledge of future energy consumption can bring significant value to commercial building energy management. For example, prediction of energy consumption decomposition helps analyze the energy consumption patterns and efficiencies as well as waste, and identify the prime targets for energy conservation. Moreover, prediction of temporal energy consumption enables building managers to plan out the energy usage over time, shift energy usage to off-peak periods, and make more effective energy purchase plans. This paper proposes a novel model for predicting heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) energy consumption in commercial buildings. The model simulates energy behaviors of HVAC systems in commercial buildings, and interacts with a multiagent systems (MAS) based framework for energy consumption prediction. Prediction is done on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Ground truth energy consumption data is collected from a test bed office building over 267 consecutive days, and is compared to predicted energy consumption for the same period. Results show that the prediction can match 92.6 to 98.2% of total HVAC energy consumption with coefficient of variation of the root mean square error (CV-RMSE) values of 7.8 to 22.2%. Ventilation energy consumption can be predicted at high accuracies (over 99%) and low variations (CV-RMSE values of 3.1 to 16.3%), while cooling energy consumption accounts for majority of inaccuracies and variations in total energy consumption prediction.

Aug 1, 2013