Reduce the methane hazards in collieries, vol. 2.

Abstract

Methane levels have been continuously monitored and recorded, at several positions, on and around continuous miners and road headers during mining operations. This has been achieved using a data logger system recording input from six methanometers every 10 seconds over a full shift. The logger is fully self -contained, comprising a battery, recording station, data logger and methanometers. Methane levels around continuous miners and road headers are generally less than 1%, but can be higher, particularly on the rectum side of the machine, and around the cutting drum if ventilation flow to the face is restricted. A small two channel version is being used to monitor methane levels and atmospheric pressure. Methane in a rectum affected by a sealed off section shows two distinct periods of increased levels during each 24 hour period, coinciding with reductions in atmospheric pressure. The data logger system has potential for further development, with the addition of other suitable types of sensor. Present work is to add two dust sensors for evaluation of hybrid mixture at the face.