Cel Several prospective mining applications of DOFTS have been identified. Of these, the detection of spontaneous combustion has been investigated using a commercial DOFTS system, the York Sensors DTS-80. This system, the performance of which was improved substantially by various modifications during field trails, is regarded as the best available at present. Nevertheless, significant improvement to data interpretation and presentation will be necessary before routine mining use can be considered.%Underground trials have successfully demonstrated that a DOFTS system, including several km of optical fibre sensing cable, can be installed, operated and maintained by relatively inexperienced personnel. These trials have shown that such a system can provide very sensitive and detailed temperature information, including the detection and monitoring of heatings in places where roadway wall temperatures are being measured. Other causes of local temperature rises have been noted, however, and the importance of the proximity of the sensing cable to a potential hot-spot has been emphasised. Despite these limitations, however, the sensitivity of DOFTS and its ability to provide accurate spatial information suggest that the technique could be a valuable complement to current products-of-combustion and CO monitors in the field of mine fire detection.The method of obtaining thermal information, in an area prone to spontaneous combustion, was examined during the feasibility study into the potential uses of DOFTS and concluded that the technique was potentially viable in the underground situation. Existing methods of detecting the onset of spontaneous combustion are the tube bundle systems which give a full air analysis on the surface and fixed point CO instruments linked to surface computers. These systems, however, have a reduced sensitivity in intake air. The application of the DOFTS technique will therefore potentially provide a means of detecting the onset of any heating in intake roadways since the system will potentially detect temperature rises below that which produce significant amounts of CO, the system is also applicable to return airways.The first part of the development programme will therefore further examine the problems associated with the monitoring for spontaneous combustion in intake roadways. This will be achieved by conducting more extensive measurements of temperature profiles in roadways than was possible during the initial study. It will also further investigate the optimum mounting position for the fibre optic cable and the ways to protect this cable from damage.The second part of the programme will be to develop equipment for continuously monitoring the temperature changes related to any heating. This will be achieved by modifying DOFTS equipment for use underground and subsequently certified to BS5501. The system will be designed to enable the data to be integrated into existing management information systems. Data presentation methods will also be examined and software developed or packages used to present this information to colliery management which turn the DOFTS results into a spontaneous combustion position indicator.The third part of the programme will be to conduct underground trials of the developed equipment at a collieries prone to spontaneous combustion. The results of these trials will be examined to enable guidelines on the use of the equipment at other sites to be drawn up. Program(-y) ECSC-WORKSAFE C - First joint research programme (ECSC) "Safety in the European Coal and Steel Community industries", 1989-1993 Temat(-y) 2.1 - Mine fires and spontaneous combustion Zaproszenie do składania wniosków Data not available System finansowania Data not available Koordynator British Coal plc Wkład UE Brak danych Adres Eastwood Hall NG16 3EB Eastwood Zjednoczone Królestwo Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych
