Developing an Enhanced Safety System for Averting Accidents Due to Spontaneous Combustion of Coal

Abstract

The research work described and proposed in this paper basically aims at improving the coal mine (CM) safety against the accidents which can arise due to Spontaneous Combustion of Coal (SCC). The research work proposes the detection of CO2and temperature at multiple points in the CM and communication of the data received from multiple detection points to the monitoring station with the help of the cutting edge communication techniques viz., Zigbee and internet communication. The concept of repeating the Zigbee modules after certain distances forming a multiple hop communication increases the transmission range between the sensors location and the internet communication sub – module. The research work also involves the use of the enhanced cooling mechanism to cool down the coal which are heated due to spontaneous heating. The internet communication (IoT) in the proposed work is realized with the help of the Ethernet controller and Wi – Fi router which transfers the data wirelessly to the monitoring stations situated around the world (provided internet connection exist). In the event of the failure of internet connection, the proposed work establishes the communication of sensors data from the underground CM environment to the nearby monitoring and rescue departments with the help of the Wi – Fi communication. The research work will have a great impact on reducing the accidents due to SCC.