Coal ining Monitoring System China

Project Introduction: Frequent coal-mine accidents prompted the Chinese government to embark a 50.2 million yuan (or 6.07 million US dollars) plan in 2005 to construct safety monitoring systems in 104 coal mines in 15 provinces. A national overhaul will follow this demonstration program. The detection of hazardous or inflammable gases are particularly important for the security of coal mines, as in China 95 percent of coal mine accidents have been caused by gas blasts. Gases to be cautiously monitored include methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, etc. Advantech joined in the company's plan in 2008, and has provided solutions of fiber optic-based Ethernet ring for their underground communication networks.

Project Implementation:

EKI-7657C	7+3G Combo Port Gigabit Managed Redundant Industrial Ethernet Switch with 2 x DI/O
EKI-7659C	8+2G Combo Port Gigabit Managed Redundant Industrial Ethernet Switch

System Requirements:
As any fire 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 wire-based system of communication cable is therefore not an option for coal mines. Fiber optics is more desirable not only because it is safer here but also because it provides faster and more reliable communications.

On the other hand, the switches and cables deployed in the coal mines must have strong anti-electromagnetic capability to prevent interference from facilities such as power substations in the mines which have motor-driven power adapters inside.

System Diagram:

System 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, smoke, etc.

The data is sent to the backbone switch EKI-7657C (three fiber port) via an redundant X-Ring fiber optic network, and then up to the aboveground monitoring and control center.

To avoid electromagnetic interruption, protective components are applied to integrated circuits of the switches, and 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 secured and rapid data transmission, so that the administrators can detect any abnormal situations in the coal mines just quickly enough for them to take actions to prevent disasters.

Advantech's fiber optic Ethernet switches products, with extraordinary anti-electromagnetic capability and ruggedness provide optimum reliable and secured data collection and transmission network in the adverse underground coal mining environment, which not only help save money but also save lives.