Mining Topic: Methane Detection and Monitoring

Methane Detection and Monitoring

Methane detection and monitoring

What is the health and safety problem?

The use of machine-mounted methane monitors is required by federal regulations to alert miners to the presence of potentially dangerous concentrations of methane while mining coal. The monitors must be permanently mounted on a mining machine to provide continuous readings of methane levels near a working face. An unknown with the use of methane monitors is their response time, defined as the time interval between the application of a gas to the sensor head and the final steady-state reading of the instrument. Response time is critical because while the mining machine is cutting coal, methane levels can rise and fall rapidly and miners have to be able to respond rapidly to these changing conditions.

What is the extent of the problem?

Machine-mounted methane monitors must provide a warning whenever methane levels are 1% or higher. An effective monitoring system will indicate a methane concentration of 1% before methane levels at the face reach 5%. Proper placement of the methane monitor on the mining machine is one of the most important factors determining how effectively face methane levels can be predicted.

How is OMSHR addressing this problem?

The Office of Mine Safety and Health Research (OMSHR) is currently investigating methods to reduce methane emissions at the face during deep cut mining. OMSHR is also conducting full-scale testing coupled with sophisticated numerical modeling to determine the size and concentration gradient of a methane cloud at the cutting face. Understanding the distribution of methane gas at the face is critical in deciding where to place methane monitors in order to most effectively monitor these levels.

What are the significant findings?

OMSHR research has determined that the design of the protective dust cap over the sensor has the greatest effect on monitor response time. All sensors have dust caps to protect the sensor head from the harsh influences of the mining environment. Although instruments with faster response times provide more accurate measurements of methane concentrations, the sensor heads must be continuously protected from exposure to excessive amounts of dust and water.

Through testing, OMSHR has also identified possible locations for a methane monitor on a continuous mining machine and found that those on the return side of the machine offered the most accurate assessment of face methane levels. However, locations closest to the face would likely suffer from damage during mining activities, while those furthest from the face would not provide sufficient accuracy.

What are the next steps?

Future research is exploring the benefits of placing a secondary methane monitor on a mining machine to provide earlier warning of hazardous methane accumulations. Further refinements to the design of the protective dust cap may also be considered. Effective performance of these options can only be determined by long-term underground tests.

Noteworthy Publications & Products

Coal Dust and Methane (2008-06)
This article describes the Coal Dust Explosibility Meter (CDEM), a hand-held instrument developed by NIOSH, which uses optical reflectance to measure the explosibility of a rock dust and coal dust mixture, which is now commercially available.
Development of a Gas Monitor Simulator and Mine Rescue Contest Field Trials (2012-01)
NIOSH researchers completed field trials during coal mine rescue contests using simulated gas detectors in place of placards, and demonstrated that the newly developed GMS device may be used with no adverse impact on team contest performance.
Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Machine-Mounted Methane Monitors by Measuring Response Time (2002-06)
This publication examines a procedure for measuring the response time of machine-mounted methane monitors
Factors Affecting the Location of Methanometers on Mining Equipment (2001-06)
This publication develops criteria for selecting the best machine locations for monitoring methane and gives recommendations for revising methane action levels for alternative sampling locations.
Frictional Ignitions in Underground Bituminous Coal Operations 1983-2005 (2009-08)
NIOSH conducted a statistical study of available data regarding frictional ignitions in the United States from 1983 to 2005 to determine and define conditions controlling their occurrence.
Guidelines for the Control and Monitoring of Methane Gas on Continuous Mining Operations (2010-04)
This NIOSH publication demonstrates how existing and new engineering controls can be used to reduce face methane levels.
Guidelines for the Prediction and Control of Methane Emissions on Longwalls (2008-03)
In this report, several practical guidelines are recommended for controlling longwall coalbed methane. All predictions are based on determinations made for the Pittsburgh Coalbed in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Historical Development of Technologies for Controlling Methane in Underground Coal Mines (2010-01)
This paper discusses several milestone events that show the progress of methane control research in underground coal mines.
NIOSH Research for Monitoring and Controlling Methane at U.S. Underground Coal Mining Operations (2008-11)
This work by NIOSH has modelled the impacts of borehole pattern and design and the effects of increasing face length on gob gas venthole performance.
Predicting Methane Emissions from Longer Longwall Faces by Analysis of Emission Contributors (2006-06)
NIOSH conducted a longwall methane emission and mining time study at a Pittsburgh Coalbed mine to predict emissions from a longer face, and developed and applied mathematical formulas and constants to characterize four emission contributors.
Use of a Test Box to Measure Response Times for Machine-Mounted Monitors (2004-05)
This study describes how response times of machine-mounted methane monitors were measured by placing the methane sensor heads in a specially designed box where they were exposed to an atmosphere containing a constant concentration of methane.