Smart monitoring and control system test apparatus

Transactions of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration , 2018, Vol. 344, No. 1, pp. 62-66

Raj, K.V.; Jacksha, R.D.; Sunderman, C.B.; Pritchard, C.J.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19150/trans.8749

In underground metal/nonmetal mines, repeated localized short-term exposure to high levels of airborne contaminants can become a serious health issue. Currently, there are no common mechanisms to control or mitigate these short-term high exposures to contaminants. To improve miners’ health and safety, the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Spokane Mining Research Division (SMRD) is developing a smart monitoring and control (SMAC) system for the real-time monitoring of mine air quality, with integrated countermeasures to reduce high concentrations of airborne contaminants in localized sections of mines. To develop and test a SMAC system capable of being implemented in an underground mine, SMRD researchers built a test apparatus incorporating a fan, louver, ducting and sensors combined with atmospheric monitoring and control software. This system will institute effective countermeasures to reduce contaminant levels, improving miner safety and health.