January 2001Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
The Department of Minerals and Energy Directive B7 (1994) requires that all underground continuous mining machines be equipped with an interlocking system that will trip the cutting drum in the event of:
* Methane levels around the machine exceeding 1,4%.
* Failure of the water supply system to the sprays.
* Failure of the secondary ventilation system.
To date, the interlocking of the off-board secondary ventilation system has not been available due to the technical problems associated with communicating between the machine and the section infrastructure.
The methane monitoring system now offers full compliance with directive B7, including the ability to interlock the (off-board) secondary ventilation system with the cutting drum. It is able to do this because Spero has developed reliable, two-way communications between the mobile machine and the section gate-end box. The communications system uses the 1000 V a.c. power trailing cable between the machine and the section gate-end box, meaning that no extra communications cable is required. By communicating with a sensor mounted on the secondary ventilation system, the cutter motor can now be automatically tripped when the section ventilation system fails - something that has not to date been possible, says Spero.
Using the same communications technology, this system can also be linked to a mine-wide data communications system (including surface scada systems) also developed and supplied by the Spero Group as the SL 2000 harsh terrain telemetry system. Up to 16 analog and 16 digital sensor channels, per machine, can now be remotely monitored kilometres away in the surface control room or via LAN in a supervisor's office. In addition to safety critical data (methane, water flow, ventilation system), other machine parameters (eg motor load currents, oil temperature and pressure, cutting times, etc) can be recorded and logged for later retrieval and analysis.
Other features of the MM100 system include:
* Over 150 systems installed.
* Locally developed and manufactured for South African conditions.
* Meets all local statutory requirements (SABS 549, SABS 314, Directive B7).
* Demonstrated performance and reliability.
* Designed for ease of maintenance.
* Fail-to-safe design.
* In situ calibration using test equipment supplied with the system.
* On-going product improvements.
* Backed up by 24/7 call-out service and parts availability.
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