Underground » Health and Safety
As the depth of mines increases, the temperature in the mine workings also increases due to the geothermal gradient.
The project was undertaken as follows:
· A survey was conducted to understand the current practices and equipment used to monitor temperature in underground coal mines;
· Reviewed the various real time temperature monitoring devices available in the market;
· Purchased a suitable real time monitoring device for dry bulb temperature and relative humidity. Perform experiments in various simulated environments in the laboratory and compare the results with the results obtained using standard instruments;
· Prepared the final report.
We found that only one supplier has an IS approved real time temperature and humidity measuring device suitable for use in Queensland underground coal mines. Using this instrument, laboratory experiments were performed at various air velocities, various humidity ranges and dust concentration in order to gather data which could be compared to the dry bulb temperature and relative humidity readings obtained using an ISO 9001 standard calibrated instrument and a sling psychrometer. It was noted from the experimental results that when compared to the calibrated instrument (Dewlogger) readings, the IS approved (Trolex) instrument displayed a variation in the dry bulb temperature of -6% to +3% and up to 6% higher relative humidity readings. The Trolex dry bulb temperature reading variations are -4% to 2%, and Dewlogger reading variations are -2% to 2% when compared to the sling psychrometer readings for identical environmental conditions. The Trolex relative humidity reading variations are -2% to 2%, and Dewlogger reading variations are -3% to 1% when compared to the sling psychrometer readings for identical environmental conditions.
Use of IS approved real time temperature and relative humidity measurement instruments in underground coal mines would be beneficial due to improvements in work place health and safety.