Mining Publication: Hybrid Fiber-Optic Electrochemical Carbon Monoxide Monitor

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has developed an intrinsically safe carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring system for mines by coupling a Fiber-Optic Data Telemetry (FODT) system with a prototype electrochemical CO monitor. The CO monitoring system can be used in a coal mine as one component of an early fire warning system. This system may be used in belt haulage entries when the entries are used for supplying ventilation air to working places. The FODT accepts a 0.1- to 1.1-V analog signal from the monitor and converts it to pulses (0 to 5 V ) at frequencies from 1.1 to 11 Khz that drive a light-emitting diode (LED). An electrically nonconducting fiber-optic cable carries the LED signal to a remote receiver. The receiver analyzes the incoming light signal and displays the measured CO concentration in parts per million. This report discusses the performance of the fodt system and characteristics of the CO monitor such as response times, linearity, and temperature and pressure effects.