vehicle‑to‑person (to warn mobile plant
operators of pedestrians in the warning
zones) and vehicle-to-vehicle (to warn
plant operators of other and similar units
in close proximity). Models range from a
low-cost, single-technology system to
integrated multi-technology systems to
be linked into the general mine
communications system. The latest is a
‘tri-technology CAS’ with three
proximity warning zones, resulting in up
to automatic full stoppage if necessary.
Denis Kent, International Business
Manager of Mine Site Technologies
(MST) of Australia, said that the
company no longer supplies proximity
devices for underground coal mines,
concentrating on hard-rock mining and
general industry. However, MST does
offer its established personal alert device
integrated into a coal mine approved
cap lamp.
Probably best known for proximity
detection instrumentation in
manufacturing industry and materials
handling, Sick of Germany has
developed multi-technology detection
and collision avoidance systems. These
have been marketed at surface mining
applications in Australia, but include the
tunnel collision warning (TCW) system.
The MINESIC100 TCW from Sick is a
high-precision (20 mm) collision
avoidance system based on laser
technology with a range of 200 m.
However, there is no explosion-proof
housing available for the MINESIC so it
cannot be used in underground coal
mines. Following an acquisition, Sick is
evaluating the integration of radar and
laser technologies in detection, although
MINESIC uses solely laser at present.
Awareness elsewhere
Although the current focus is on the
movements and interactions of larger
mobile plant used in room-and-pillar
mining, any other coal mining
machinery capable of movement can
cause loss of life or injury. This includes
longwall systems, general transport and
utility vehicles. Dave Jenks reported:
“HazardAvert has been installed on
locomotive haulage, continuous haulage,
roof bolters, graders, feeder breakers,
longwall shield retrievers, battery
transporters, compactors, Bobcats,
skid-steers and more.”
In longwall mining, application of
proximity systems indicates whether
there is a miner between a set of
hydraulic chocks and the armoured face
conveyor when the chocks are about to
advance. The support movement is then
prevented to avoid any lateral crush on
the miner.
NIOSH has no current research on
proximity detection systems for longwall
applications, but some manufacturers in
the US offer proximity detection systems
integrated into their longwall equipment
range. Cat employs a system called
Detect Personnel to protect personnel as
described above. This and other devices
can be integrated into the company’s
MineStar computer-based mine
management system. Joy Global uses the
SmartZone electromagnetic proximity
detection mentioned earlier for longwall
and continuous miners. SmartZone
allows zones with wide or narrow linear
shapes and sharp angles that can expand
and contract, based on a unit’s speed and
direction.
The International emissions monitoring community will come to Lisbon to network, trade ideas and discuss technology, methods, applications, legislation
and standardisation relevant to all atmospheric pollutants which include particulates, SO
2
, NO
x
VOC, trace elements and greenhouse gases.
CEM 2016
will be ideal for delegates to attend from the Cement, Power, Petrochemical, Waste, Metals and Process Industries. Delegates
will be able to network with regulators, fellow CEM users, manufacturers and suppliers of CEMs equipment and services.
12
TH
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION ON EMISSIONS MONITORING
Are you responsible for emissions monitoring in your plant?
TOPICS AT CEM INCLUDE
1. Emission Trading
2. Maritime Directives
3. Fugitive Emission
4. Fine Particulate Monitoring
5. Mercury
6. Standards and Quality
7. Predictive Emission Monitor Systems (PEMS)
8. Industry Case Studies
