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Optimising Potable Water Pumping Operations in Small-Scale Gold Mining Environments in Ghana Using Daboase Headworks as a Case Study

Received: 18 November 2019    Accepted: 02 December 2019    Published: 07 December 2019
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Abstract

This paper assesses the challenges facing the optimisation of potable water pumping operations in small scale gold mining environments in Ghana using the Daboase headworks as a case study. The paper reviews the level of water pollution and its negative impact on alternating current motors and other electrical fittings at the Daboase headwork. The method of data collection used for the paper were questionnaires, interviews, cluster sampling and systematic sampling. Four sampling operation components were used, namely: selection of sampling stations, selection of water quality parameters, sampling frequency, and data collection and analysis methods. The paper focuses on the substantial reduction in pump energy consumption, operational and maintenance cost and the optimisation of potable water pumping operation systems in conclusion. The study proposes an upgrade of electrical controls with new state of the art control panels and a multi-level pumping system. Finally, it recommends a modelled space vector pulse width modulation variable speed drive, which has a greater overall performance and higher efficiency, less switching losses and greater power factor, which minimises the cost of operation, maintenance and equipment breakdown as well as optimising productivity of the Daboase headworks.

DOI 10.11648/j.eas.20190406.14
Published in Engineering and Applied Sciences (Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2019)
Page(s) 154-163
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation, Pumping Systems, Electric Drives, Headworks

References
[1] Bantay, K. (2012), “A Background Study on the Small-Scale Gold Mining Operations in Benguet and South Cotabato and their Impact on the Economy”, Environment and the Community by The Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM).
[2] Siduduziwe, P. (2012), “Artisanal small-scale mining: Potential Ecological disaster in Mzingwane District, Zimbabwe, Jamba” (Potchefstroom, South Africa), Vol 7, Issue 1, Doi: 10. 4102/jamba. v7i1. 158.
[3] Lawrence B. (1999), “Improving Pumping System Performance. A Sourcebook for Industry” The United States Department of Energy. Motor Challenge Program. In cooperation with: Hydraulic Institute, Parsippany, NJ.
[4] Guyer, J, P. E., (2012), “Introduction to Pumping Stations for Water Supply Systems”, Continuing Education and Development. Inc. 9 Greyridge Farm Court Stony Point New York.
[5] Lawrence B. (2006), “Improving Pumping System Performance’, A Sourcebook for Industry Second Edition. ” Renewable Energy Industrial Technologies Program.
[6] Anon. (2009), “Vertical Wet Pit Pumps” www. sulzer. com., Accessed: June 14, 2016.
[7] Papantonis, D. and Sahoo, T. (2012), “Strategies to Increase Energy Efficiency of Centrifugal Pumps”, Mathura Refinery, India. ISBN: 978-953-51-0051-5.
[8] Tutterow, V. Hovstadius, G. and McKane, A. (2006), “Electrical Energy Equipment: Pumps and Pumping Systems” Energy Efficiency Guide for Industry in Asia. www. energyefficiencyasia. org., UNEP 2006.
[9] Peterson, H. (2012), “Poor Quality Raw Waters Need More than Chemical Treatment” Safe Drinking Water Foundation, www. safewater. org., Accessed: April 8, 2016.
[10] Sahoo, T. (2012), “Strategies to Increase Energy Efficiency of Centrifugal Pumps” M/S Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Mathura Refinery, India.
[11] Ikonen, H. (2012), “An Improved Stochastic Optimization Model for Water Supply Pumping Systems in Urban Networks”. www. optimization-online. org., Accessed: April 15, 2016.
[12] Hilson, G. (2002), “The Environmental Impact of Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana”, Environmental Policy and Management Group (EPMG), Imperial College Centre for Environmental Technology.
[13] Hilson, G (2001), “A Contextual Review of the Ghanaian Small-scale Mining Industry”, Imperial College Centre for Environmental Technology, www. pubs. iied. org/pdfs/G00722. Accessed: September 6, 2016.
[14] Nesbitt, B. (2006), “Handbook of Pumps and Pumping”, www. books.google.com/books/.../Handbook_of_Pumps_and_Pumping, Accessed: October 18, 2016.
[15] Alem, D. and Vega, J. (2013), “An Improved Stochastic Optimization Model for Water Supply Pumping Systems in Urban Networks” Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia João Leme dos Santos Brasil.
[16] Wiedenbrug, E. J. (2003), “Overheating Electric Motors: One Root Cause of Insulation Failure”, A senior member to IEEE, PhD in electrical engineering from Oregon State University.
Author Information
  • Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana

  • Ghana Water Company Limited, Daboase, Ghana

  • Golden Star Resources Limited, Prestea Underground Mine, Prestea, Ghana

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  • APA Style

    Christian Kwaku Amuzuvi, Joseph Kwarteng, Emmanuel Aboah. (2019). Optimising Potable Water Pumping Operations in Small-Scale Gold Mining Environments in Ghana Using Daboase Headworks as a Case Study. Engineering and Applied Sciences, 4(6), 154-163. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eas.20190406.14

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    ACS Style

    Christian Kwaku Amuzuvi; Joseph Kwarteng; Emmanuel Aboah. Optimising Potable Water Pumping Operations in Small-Scale Gold Mining Environments in Ghana Using Daboase Headworks as a Case Study. Eng. Appl. Sci. 2019, 4(6), 154-163. doi: 10.11648/j.eas.20190406.14

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    AMA Style

    Christian Kwaku Amuzuvi, Joseph Kwarteng, Emmanuel Aboah. Optimising Potable Water Pumping Operations in Small-Scale Gold Mining Environments in Ghana Using Daboase Headworks as a Case Study. Eng Appl Sci. 2019;4(6):154-163. doi: 10.11648/j.eas.20190406.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.eas.20190406.14,
      author = {Christian Kwaku Amuzuvi and Joseph Kwarteng and Emmanuel Aboah},
      title = {Optimising Potable Water Pumping Operations in Small-Scale Gold Mining Environments in Ghana Using Daboase Headworks as a Case Study},
      journal = {Engineering and Applied Sciences},
      volume = {4},
      number = {6},
      pages = {154-163},
      doi = {10.11648/j.eas.20190406.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eas.20190406.14},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.eas.20190406.14},
      abstract = {This paper assesses the challenges facing the optimisation of potable water pumping operations in small scale gold mining environments in Ghana using the Daboase headworks as a case study. The paper reviews the level of water pollution and its negative impact on alternating current motors and other electrical fittings at the Daboase headwork. The method of data collection used for the paper were questionnaires, interviews, cluster sampling and systematic sampling. Four sampling operation components were used, namely: selection of sampling stations, selection of water quality parameters, sampling frequency, and data collection and analysis methods. The paper focuses on the substantial reduction in pump energy consumption, operational and maintenance cost and the optimisation of potable water pumping operation systems in conclusion. The study proposes an upgrade of electrical controls with new state of the art control panels and a multi-level pumping system. Finally, it recommends a modelled space vector pulse width modulation variable speed drive, which has a greater overall performance and higher efficiency, less switching losses and greater power factor, which minimises the cost of operation, maintenance and equipment breakdown as well as optimising productivity of the Daboase headworks.},
     year = {2019}
    }
    

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    AU  - Joseph Kwarteng
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    AB  - This paper assesses the challenges facing the optimisation of potable water pumping operations in small scale gold mining environments in Ghana using the Daboase headworks as a case study. The paper reviews the level of water pollution and its negative impact on alternating current motors and other electrical fittings at the Daboase headwork. The method of data collection used for the paper were questionnaires, interviews, cluster sampling and systematic sampling. Four sampling operation components were used, namely: selection of sampling stations, selection of water quality parameters, sampling frequency, and data collection and analysis methods. The paper focuses on the substantial reduction in pump energy consumption, operational and maintenance cost and the optimisation of potable water pumping operation systems in conclusion. The study proposes an upgrade of electrical controls with new state of the art control panels and a multi-level pumping system. Finally, it recommends a modelled space vector pulse width modulation variable speed drive, which has a greater overall performance and higher efficiency, less switching losses and greater power factor, which minimises the cost of operation, maintenance and equipment breakdown as well as optimising productivity of the Daboase headworks.
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