Decision support system based on fi ber optic technology applicable to [625678]

Decision support system based on fi ber optic technology applicable to
mining industry

ILCEA GABRIEL*, REMUS DOBRA*, PASCULES CU DRAGOS*, GEORGETA BUICA**
*Department of Electrical and Power System s, **Laboratory for Explosion-Proofnes
*University of Petrosani, **National Research and Dev. Institute fo r Labor Protection “Al. Darabont”
* University str., no.20, Petrosani, **G-ral Vasile Milea str., no. 32-34, Bucharest ROMANIA
[anonimizat] [anonimizat] [anonimizat] [anonimizat]

Abstract: – Starting from the achieved knowledge and results, obtained by analyzing mining processes and
methods, was studied the software modeling and simula ting possibilities for the monitoring and control of the
potentially explosive areas. Modern and efficient co al mining facilities utilize improved control methods to
achieve optimum productivity. The use of fiber optics for reliable communications to monitor, analyze and
control the equipment and facilities during the mining pr ocess will increase safety and production efficiency.
This paper provides an overview of fiber optic in terconnect technology applicable to mining industry
production, followed by theoretical and practical case study from within the Jiu Valley coalfield. In order to
simulate the method functionality some laboratory experiments was developed I-7000 acquisition modules.

Key-Words: – hazardous area, decision support software, computer modeling, fiber optic, acquisition systems.

1 Introduction
One of the most important debates from the mining
industry domains it is the one about of prices.
Because of the world economy decline from the last
years, the investment funds head fallen and the costs
problem head affected all mining compartments. In
potentially explosive industry one of the most
important problem it is put on the command and
control processes used for the extraction of coal,
namely: water monitoring, compressed air
monitoring, gas monitoring(CO, CO 2, CH 4, O2), coal
dust and not the last the monitoring of the electrical
circuits regarding the safety of the equipments [1].
In this paper it is presented a fast connection method
(allowing a growing number of data flow), which
will result in the rise of safety of equipments used in
the mining industry, based on the using of fiber
optics for the transfer of information to and from the
command or dispatching center. This method is an
alternative for the usage of copper conductors, but
which involves a great price at the beginning. Fiber
optic, as data transport environment, has the
advantage of transporting more information on a
single wire, very important aspect regarding its use
in the underground areas.
The usage of fiber optics in the mining applications
offers as an grate advantage, regarding safety, the
fact that transports light not electricity, offering a
natural isolation against disruptive effects of
electromagnetic fields which affects the copper
conductors .
2 Fiber optic implementation to a real
underground mining facility
Good monitoring systems ensure that the
concentration of the methane gas is above the
limiting value imposed by the coal mine standards.
The degasification system works together with the
ventilation system and the mining operations and
because of that it is important to provide a
propitious monitoring system, regarding all the
parameters from mining exploitation, (by means of
measuring instruments, monitoring and controls
techniques, and good communications systems) in
order to optimize each of the three functions.

2.1 The process method of decision support
system
In figure 1 is presented the schematic diagram of the
command and control method based on optical fiber,
using some dedicates CH 4 transducers, air and water
solenoids valves, and some power switchgears that
offers information about the current intensity,
insulation resistance etc [2].
The information provided from the mining process
is being sent to some data acquisition modules using
copper wire and then by optical fiber to the
command and control mine center or dispatcher.
The interface between data acquisition modules and
computer it is been realized with a PDS- 220Fx
RS232 to optic conversion system.

Recent Advances in Circuits, Systems, Signal Processing and Communications
ISBN: 978-960-474-359-9
148

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the command and
control method based on optical fiber

The general parts of the fiber optic decision support
system include:
• Centralized control rooms
• VOIP (voice-over-internet protocol) phone
systems (underground and above ground)
• Emergency communication systems
• Environmental sensors (carbon monoxide,
methane, hydrogen sulfide, and other gases)
• Longwall systems and sub systems
• Complex conveyor belt system controls
• Automation of remote system controls
• Conveyor belt scale and coal ash analysis systems
• Fire detection systems
• Laser safety in underground coal mines
With these advancements in technology, fiber optic
implementations help improve processes, quality,
and safety in coal mining, preparation and
processing. All production mining equipment can be controlled
remotely via fiber optic connection systems in order
to solve some of the problems encountered in
communications and machine control.

2.2 Practical case study from within the Jiu
Valley coalfield
Applying the proposed method it is possible to take
predictive decisions because the parameters are
monitories. The decision support system gives the
operator pertinent information about the future
evolution of the controlled system.
The virtual instrument based on data acquisition
systems that bring information to PC via fiber optic
check methane gas concentration; in case when the
methane concentration is higher than the methane
allowable limit the switching-on command is locked
and the energetical operator is warned [3].
The next sequence is for checking if the electrical
parameters (i.e. voltage and current) are found
within the STAS limits specific to the potentially
explosive coal mines.
The decision support system, will give the
possibility to monitor different types of parameters
(O2, CO, Q, t0, etc.), or to monitor the CH 4
concentration for the main areas from a coal mine.
In fig. 2 is being presented the pathways of some
mining processes, as: compressed air, water, and
electric current. The information regarding this
processes being send to the computer using optical
fiber cable and ICP DAS data acquisition modules.

Figure 2. Topological map with some of the analyzed mining processes
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Optic fiber path follows the mine topology, for the
purpose of monitoring each workstation and thus of
each process. The introduction of fiber optic in
mining areas must take into account the restrictions
imposed by the intrinsic safe protection method.
This protection concerns the construction of
electrical equipment of low current which in normal
operation mode or malfunction will not produce
sparks, electric arc or overheating able to ignite the
explosive mixture.

2.3 Air and water supply of the mine area.
In fig. 3 is described detailed diagram of water and
compressed air supply and of the equipments from
and to which the information is sent through optic
fiber. Because the number of the equipments used is
very big we are resorting to a appropriate number of
data acquisition systems designed a priori.

Figure 3. Diagram of water and compressed air
supply and of the equipments from and to which the
information is sent through optic fiber

3 Decision support system based on
fiber optic technology

3.1 Hardware part of the decision support
system
In fig. 4 is described the laboratory application of
hardware decision support system. We have carried
out experiments in laboratory condition on which
have been tested and proven the capabilities and
usefulness of using a command and control system
for a series of potentially explosive atmospheres
processes.

Figure 4. Laboratory application of hardware
decision support system

In order to create the decision system were used
data acquisition systems from the family I-7000,
which gathers information from the process (water,
air, electrical parameters, etc) and sends them to an
superior system.
By using the decisional system described it was
proposed a new approach to eliminate the
disadvantages created by the mining process
monitoring by classical methods in which the
information is transmitted to and from process by
using a large number of cables.

3.2 Software part of the decision support
system
In fig. 5 is described the seating interface of the data
acquisition system type I-7017F, referring to their
main parameters and number of acquisition
channels.

Figure 5. Programming of I-7017F module using
DCON-UTILITY

In fig. 6 is described the seating interface of the data
acquisition system type I-7022, using DCON-
UTILITY. The Control Environment DCON-
UTILITY, version 519 allow: scans the modules
connected to the serial port RS232, setting the serial
port address between 0 and 255 (in our case 1 for
module 7022 and 2 for 7017F), Checksum,
bandwidth, data transfer format, setting the type and
Recent Advances in Circuits, Systems, Signal Processing and Communications
ISBN: 978-960-474-359-9
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values of input / output data, and independent
control of the scanned modules.

Figure 6. Programming of I-7022 module using
DCON-UTILITY

In fig. 7 is described the setup and programming
window of the modules channels from the working
group, which allows monitoring of all mining
processes by bringing information using fiber optic .

Figure 7. Setup and programming window of the
modules channels from the working group

Setup and programming window of the modules
channels from the working group contains: The
window whit the type of modules used (I-7017F and
I-7022); the window with the types of the channel
the module haves; the window for inserting Visual
Basic scripts; the list with the type of channels; the
window with the protocol type and the
communication port used; working groups window;
the destination where the se ttings and the database
will be saved .

4 Conclusion
The command and control system propose is
designed for potentially explosive atmosphere and
can be implemented in order to: reduce the risks of
work accidents, reduce operating costs and costs arising from damage effects which occur unexpectedly and to offer the energy operator the facility to be notified in advance about future
emergency situations which creates the possibility
for him to take steps to remedy the potential malfunctions.
Laboratory experiments aimed at stimulating the
actual operating conditions of the command and
control system to demonstrate how the operating
logic algorithms designed can be used in the
construction of a computer system using data
acquisition module from the family I-7000 and
some dedicates virtual instruments.
Using of the Decision support system based on fiber
optic technology with intrinsically safe circuit
assumed that the electric circuit in normal operation
mode or malfunction will not produce sparks,
electric arc or overheating able to ignite the
explosive mixture.

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Recent Advances in Circuits, Systems, Signal Processing and Communications
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