|
Methane (CH4) is an odorless, tasteless, colorless, inflammable, lighter than air gas formed by the decomposition of coal and other carbonaceous materials. Methane's low density (approximately 50% of the density of air) causes it to concentrate in the higher parts of an underground mine if ventilation is insufficient to properly mix it with the mine air. The methanometer is an instrument to measure the percentage of methane in the air in underground coal mines and has been designed to alert miners to the presence of potentially dangerous concentrations of this gas. The work in this topic area is supported by the NIOSH Mining Ventilation and Explosion Prevention program. See the NIOSH Mining Products page for software, guides, training materials or other items related to this topic.
|
Measurement & analysis
Coal Dust and Methane (PDF, 198 KB, 2008-06)
This article describes the Coal Dust Explosibility Meter (CDEM), a hand-held instrument developed by NIOSH, which uses optical reflectance to measure the explosibility of a rock dust and coal dust mixture, which is now commercially available.
Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Machine-Mounted Methane Monitors by Measuring Response Time (PDF, 351 KB, 2002)
Examines a procedure for measuring the response time of machine-mounted methane monitors
Evaluation of IYONI II Methanometers (PDF, 411 KB, 2003)
Report on a series of performance tests conducted on the IYONI II methanometer. Testing methods included use of a calibration fixture, an environmental test box and a full scale test gallery.
Evaluation of Person-Wearable Methane Monitors (PDF, 415 KB, 2005)
This paper describes test procedures used to evaluate performance of methane monitors that could be used underground for continuous personal monitoring of methane. The information in this report provides data that allow the reader to make side-by side comparisons of these instruments.
Factors Affecting the Location of Methanometers on Mining Equipment (PDF, 268 KB, 2001-06)
Develops criteria for selecting the best machine locations for monitoring methane and gives recommendations for revising methane action levels for alternative sampling locations.
Remote Fiber-Optic Methane Monitor (PDF, 1160 KB, 1992)
Reports on the U.S. Bureau of Mines development and testing of an instrinsically safe methane monitor based on differential absorption of infrared light.
Use of a Test Box to Measure Response Times for Machine-Mounted Monitors (PDF, 240 KB, 2004)
A study where the response times of machine-mounted methane monitors were measured by placing the methane sensor heads in a specially designed box where they were exposed to an atmosphere containing a constant concentration of methane
|
|