Objective
A coal mine is inherently a dangerous place to work and ever how good the safety record of a mine the penalty for complacency can be severe. Delay in analysing and treating incipient colliery methane problems can mean that potentially hazardous situations are allowed to develop. Colliery personnel, when confronted with a problem, are frequently faced with conflicting advice, incomplete information and pressure for immediate response. Such factors are not conducive to effective decision making. The aim of this project is to demonstrate that a colliery based methane diagnostics program has the potential to provide safety and ventilation officials at the mine with expert advice and thus help them to react, rapidly, positively and accurately as and when problems arise.
An in depth study of methane control and the problems faced by ventilation staff has been carried out. The results of this investigation have highlighted particular areas of concern and problems common to many collieries. These have been classified into three main areas, namely, poor drainage capture, low air quantity and high methane emission. These rules have been built into an expert system shell called Leonardo and the program so formed called HELPDRAIN. The shell also includes the ability to run external programs from within it.
In particular, the program will be aimed at enhancing the problem solving capabilities of the safety engineer, the colliery ventilation officer and the firedamp drainage officer. It is anticipated that the knowledge will be structured to address four basic problems, these are:
(i) Gradual rise in airway methane concentration.
(ii) Rapid rise in airway methane concentration.
(iii) Loss of purity in the drained gas.
(iv) Reduction of methane flow in the drainage range.
The object of any consultation will be to highlight symptoms, isolate possible causes and prescribe effective remedial measures.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
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Coordinator
DE15 0QD Burton upon Trent
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.