{"id":{"repo_id":"stellenbosch","oai_identifier":"oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135774"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/stellenbosch/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135774","repository":{"repo_id":"stellenbosch","name":"Stellenbosch University","base_url":"https://scholar.sun.ac.za/server/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"A Combined Energy–Exergy Approach for Improving Refrigeration Systems in Deep-Level Gold Mines: Method Development and Case Study Validation","abstract":"Increased economic pressure and rising electricity costs are driving energy efficiency initiatives on deep-level mines. One of the major energy consumers on deep-level mines is the refrigeration system, which supplies chilled water for cooling the underground working environment. Due to the outdated nature of these systems, and their fixed supply capacities, they are prone to energy wastage through inefficient operation. Previous studies have suggested energy- or exergy analyses to improve performance; however, a combined approach has not been implemented on a deep-level mine. A methodical approach is needed to apply thermodynamic analysis techniques to refrigeration systems for improved performance. This study develops and applies such a method to a South African mine’s refrigeration system. This application results in a lower condenser temperature with an increase in the COP of the refrigeration plants, with no significant capital input or additional infrastructure needed. This translates to an annual cost saving of R1.35 million for the mining shaft.","abstract_html":"Increased economic pressure and rising electricity costs are driving energy efficiency initiatives on deep-level mines. One of the major energy consumers on deep-level mines is the refrigeration system, which supplies chilled water for cooling the underground working environment. Due to the outdated nature of these systems, and their fixed supply capacities, they are prone to energy wastage through inefficient operation. Previous studies have suggested energy- or exergy analyses to improve performance; however, a combined approach has not been implemented on a deep-level mine. A methodical approach is needed to apply thermodynamic analysis techniques to refrigeration systems for improved performance. This study develops and applies such a method to a South African mine’s refrigeration system. This application results in a lower condenser temperature with an increase in the COP of the refrigeration plants, with no significant capital input or additional infrastructure needed. This translates to an annual cost saving of R1.35 million for the mining shaft.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Du Randt, Johannes Claudius"],"institution":"Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University","degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":["Schutte, Corne","Van Laar, Jean"],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2026,"date_issued":"2026-03","date_published":"2026-03","updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:40:09Z","subjects":[],"languages":["en"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135774","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.advisor","label":"Advisor","values":["Schutte, Corne","Van Laar, Jean"]},{"key":"dc:contributor.other","label":"Dc Contributor Other","values":["Stellenbosch University. 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C. 2026. A Combined Energy–Exergy Approach for Improving Refrigeration Systems in Deep-Level Gold Mines: Method Development and Case Study Validation. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/72c93ac1-dfab-46a7-956b-11130b959367"]},{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Increased economic pressure and rising electricity costs are driving energy efficiency initiatives on deep-level mines. One of the major energy consumers on deep-level mines is the refrigeration system, which supplies chilled water for cooling the underground working environment. Due to the outdated nature of these systems, and their fixed supply capacities, they are prone to energy wastage through inefficient operation. Previous studies have suggested energy- or exergy analyses to improve performance; however, a combined approach has not been implemented on a deep-level mine. A methodical approach is needed to apply thermodynamic analysis techniques to refrigeration systems for improved performance. This study develops and applies such a method to a South African mine’s refrigeration system. This application results in a lower condenser temperature with an increase in the COP of the refrigeration plants, with no significant capital input or additional infrastructure needed. This translates to an annual cost saving of R1.35 million for the mining shaft."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["A Combined Energy–Exergy Approach for Improving Refrigeration Systems in Deep-Level Gold Mines: Method Development and Case Study Validation"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.advisor":["Schutte, Corne","Van Laar, Jean"],"dc:contributor.other":["Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Industrial Engineering."],"dc:creator":["Du Randt, Johannes Claudius"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2026-04-10T06:49:22Z"],"dc:date.available":["2026-04-10T06:49:22Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2026-03"],"dc:description":["Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.","Du Randt, J. C. 2026. A Combined Energy–Exergy Approach for Improving Refrigeration Systems in Deep-Level Gold Mines: Method Development and Case Study Validation. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/72c93ac1-dfab-46a7-956b-11130b959367"],"dc:description.abstract":["Increased economic pressure and rising electricity costs are driving energy efficiency initiatives on deep-level mines. One of the major energy consumers on deep-level mines is the refrigeration system, which supplies chilled water for cooling the underground working environment. Due to the outdated nature of these systems, and their fixed supply capacities, they are prone to energy wastage through inefficient operation. Previous studies have suggested energy- or exergy analyses to improve performance; however, a combined approach has not been implemented on a deep-level mine. A methodical approach is needed to apply thermodynamic analysis techniques to refrigeration systems for improved performance. This study develops and applies such a method to a South African mine’s refrigeration system. This application results in a lower condenser temperature with an increase in the COP of the refrigeration plants, with no significant capital input or additional infrastructure needed. This translates to an annual cost saving of R1.35 million for the mining shaft."],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135774"],"dc:language.iso":["en"],"dc:publisher":["Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University"],"dc:title":["A Combined Energy–Exergy Approach for Improving Refrigeration Systems in Deep-Level Gold Mines: Method Development and Case Study Validation"],"dc:type":["Thesis"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:40:09Z"}