Safe network communication in underground mines
July 2012
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Frequent coal-mine accidents prompted the Chinese government to embark on an ambitious plan to construct safety monitoring systems in 104 coal mines in 15 provinces.
The detection of hazardous or inflammable gases is particularly important for the security of coal mines, in China 95% of the coal mine accidents were caused by gas explosions. Gases that need to be monitored include methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide. Advantech joined in the company’s plan in 2008, and has provided solutions based on fibre optic Ethernet ring for underground communication networks.
System requirements
As any hot-spot could cause a catastrophic blast in the underground coal shafts and roadways, the safety monitoring system itself has to be safe or it could become a source of danger. Copper based communication cable is therefore not an option for coal mines. Fibre optics is desirable, not only because it is safer but also because it provides faster and more reliable communications. Also, the switches and cables deployed in the coal mines must have strong anti-electromagnetic capability to prevent interference from facilities such as power substations and motor-driven power adaptors in the mine.
Solution description
Advantech’s EKI-7659C switches are deployed in each roadway of the mine to transmit data collected from air sensors located inside the mine, including methane and oxygen concentration, wind speed and smoke. The data is sent to the backbone switch EKI-7657C (three fibre ports) via a redundant X-ring fibre optic network, and from there, up to the monitoring and control centre on the surface.
To avoid electromagnetic interruption, protective components are applied to the integrated circuits of the switches; also each switch is enclosed in an explosion proof enclosure to ensure maximum security and reliable operation. The equipment is certified with Chinese MA standards for coal mining security.
Conclusion
Coal mine accidents usually result in tremendous loss of lives and money. To avoid tragedies the investment on safety monitoring systems is necessary for modern coal mining industry. The coal mine safety monitoring system relies heavily on reliable information technology that provides secure and rapid data transmission, so that the administrators can detect any abnormal situations in the coal mines quickly enough to take action that prevents disaster.
Advantech’s fibre optic Ethernet switches with anti-electromagnetic capability and ruggedness can provide reliable and secure data collection and transmission in adverse underground coal mining environments. This saves lives and money.
For more information contact Fons de Leeuw, Profitek, 086 165 4321, [email protected], www.profiteksa.com
Further reading:
Integrated automation systems in poultry feed production
Adroit Technologies
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
South Africa’s poultry industry is increasingly turning to advanced automation systems to optimise operations. Working in partnership with Adroit Technologies, leading poultry supplier Sovereign implemented the Mitsubishi Adroit Process Suite across a key feed production facility, creating a scalable, integrated system capable of supporting both current operations and future expansion.
Read more...
Why secure industrial communication depends on deployment as well
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The Industrial Security Harmonisation Group has released a joint industry perspective highlighting a critical truth in industrial cybersecurity: secure communication is not determined by protocols alone, but by how they are deployed and managed in real-world environments.
Read more...
A single platform for all automation functions
Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The introduction of TwinCAT in 1996 marked a decisive evolutionary step for PC-based control. Today, the TwinCAT platform combines all automation functions in a strictly deterministic real-time environment, from PLC and motion control through CNC and measurement technology and beyond, to vision, robotics and pioneering AI tools.
Read more...
Loop signature Part 2-4: Feedforward Control: Part 3
Michael Brown Control Engineering
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
In the previous articles in this series, the basic theory behind feedforward control was discussed, and it was also shown how to apply feedforward in practice. In this article, it will be shown how well feedforward can work in practice by giving a couple of examples.
Read more...
Control Station and Dimension Software partner to connect control performance monitoring with enterprise operations intelligence
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Control Station has entered into a strategic technology partnership with Dimension Software, a leading provider of industrial operations management platforms. The collaboration connects Control Station’s PlantESP control loop performance monitoring platform with Dimension Software’s Asset Intellect operations intelligence environment, enabling manufacturers to operationalise control performance insights across their organisations.
Read more...
PCIe digitiser cards for optimal GHz signal acquisition and analysis
Vepac Electronics
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The addition of two new PCIe Digitiser cards from Spectrum Instrumentation extends the company’s flagship M5i series to deliver optimal GHz signal acquisition and analysis capabilities.
Read more...
Precise, synchronised control for automated steel mesh handling system
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Automation specialist Hambi Maschinenbau has developed a world-first system that automates the cutting, handling and stacking of heavy reinforcing steel mesh – a task that previously required up to six human operators.
Read more...
Loop signature Part 2-3: Feedforward Control: Part 2
Michael Brown Control Engineering
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Feedforward control tuning is not nearly as critical as feedback tuning, and fairly simple models are usually fine for the purpose in hand.
Read more...
Upgrading radiological surveillance systems in nuclear facilities
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Nuclear plant operators face an uncomfortable reality. Many of the control and monitoring systems still in use today were never designed to support the full operational lifespan of the facilities they serve.
Read more...
Next-level CAN Software enables easy access to CAN XL
Industrial Data Xchange (IDX)
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
With the release of its PCAN-Explorer 7, PEAK delivers a major update that adds full support for CAN XL, multiple symbol files per connection, Python scripting and flexible licensing including floating licenses.
Read more...
printer friendly version