Mine Machine Radar Sensor for Emergency Escape

Abstract

This paper presents the results of recent work to develop and trial a mine machine radar sensor for underground coal mine vehicles. There is an urgent industry need for an integrated solution to the problem of operating an underground vehicle in conditions of dense ambient dust and/or smoke, such as may occur in underground coal mines after a fire or explosion. Under these conditions, sensors such as cameras and lidar offer limited assistance due to their inability to penetrate thick dust. Thermal infrared can penetrate dust but still results in poor vision, as there is insufficient temperature contrast between the tunnel walls and the ambient air. Microwave radar sensors are able to penetrate the dust, and suitable radar sensors have been developed for use in the automation industry. Adapting such sensors for use in an underground coal mining environment was the focus of this research effort, and involved trialing a suitable sensor in dust and smoke chambers as well as trials in an underground coal mine with introduced dust. Data processing and the development of a suitable user interface were key aspects of the research. Since any sensor would have to operate in an explosive atmosphere, a related research work developed a flameproof dielectric enclosure to allow the use of the radar in the mine environment.

Engineering Project: The Method to Solve Practical Problems for the Monitoring and Control of Driver-Less Electric Transport Vehicles in the Underground Mines

“…So, we do not consider using 5G technology in the monitoring and control of the underground mines because of the limitations mentioned above. Similarly, although Radar Sensor [50,51] has also been successfully used in the safety monitoring and location in the underground mines in recent years, its limitations are the same as 5G technology-that is, high-cost and non-universal.…”

Low-Cost Sensors Technologies for Monitoring Sustainability and Safety Issues in Mining Activities: Advances, Gaps, and Future Directions in the Digitalization for Smart Mining

“…On the other hand, we must mention how relevant the monitoring of safety aspects is to reducing the risks of accidents and fatalities in mining operations. Events of accidents in underground mines, surface mines, and metallurgical plants have promoted the application of management systems to improve safety and at the same time implement an adequate rescue strategy considering the best available technologies (BATs) and the best rescue practices (BRPs) [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Therefore, the accidents registered worldwide have had an impact on the safety standards applied in mining projects, in order to increase the levels of protection for workers, reduce risks, and eliminate fatalities [ 31 , 32 ].…”