AU2019201437A1 - Real time monitoring of dust at a minesite and dust suppression system based thereon - Google Patents

Real time monitoring of dust at a minesite and dust suppression system based thereon Download PDF

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AU2019201437A1
AU2019201437A1 AU2019201437A AU2019201437A AU2019201437A1 AU 2019201437 A1 AU2019201437 A1 AU 2019201437A1 AU 2019201437 A AU2019201437 A AU 2019201437A AU 2019201437 A AU2019201437 A AU 2019201437A AU 2019201437 A1 AU2019201437 A1 AU 2019201437A1
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dust
sensor
monitor
real
area
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AU2019201437A
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Rodney Joseph Flor
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Dust Solutions Pty Ltd
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Dust Solutions Pty Ltd
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Priority claimed from AU2018900685A external-priority patent/AU2018900685A0/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q9/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
    • H04Q9/02—Automatically-operated arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N15/00—Investigating characteristics of particles; Investigating permeability, pore-volume or surface-area of porous materials
    • G01N15/06—Investigating concentration of particle suspensions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/02—Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
    • H04L67/025—Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP] for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
    • E21B21/01—Arrangements for handling drilling fluids or cuttings outside the borehole, e.g. mud boxes
    • E21B21/011—Dust eliminating or dust removing while drilling
    • E21B21/013—Dust eliminating or dust removing while drilling by liquids
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/0004—Gaseous mixtures, e.g. polluted air
    • G01N33/0009—General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment
    • G01N33/0027—General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment concerning the detector
    • G01N33/0036—General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment concerning the detector specially adapted to detect a particular component
    • G01N33/004—CO or CO2
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2209/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
    • H04Q2209/20—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems using a distributed architecture
    • H04Q2209/25—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems using a distributed architecture using a mesh network, e.g. a public urban network such as public lighting, bus stops or traffic lights
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2209/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
    • H04Q2209/40—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems using a wireless architecture
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/30—Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes
    • H04W4/38—Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for collecting sensor information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/18—Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Excavating Of Shafts Or Tunnels (AREA)
  • Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)

Abstract

A real-time dust monitoring system for monitoring of dust at a mine site, the system including at least one dust monitor/sensor installed in an elevated position in an upwind location from an area to be monitored, the at least one dust monitor/sensor having access to at least one communications pathway to transmit information. CC) y0

Description

REAL TIME MONITORING OF DUST AT A MINESITE AND DUST SUPPRESSION SYSTEM BASED THEREON
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of dust monitoring and dust suppression and particularly to real time dust monitoring system for monitoring of dust at a mine site and a dust suppression system based thereon.
BACKGROUND ART [0002] Dust suppression on any mine site is an important issue. With tight operational environmental strictures concerning dust levels, ensuring that their mines remain within shrinking guidelines is increasingly difficult for mine operators.
[0003] Regulators are imposing increasingly strict conditions, and mine operators have had to respond with more innovative and technologically advanced systems to meet these demands, which are now considered standard in the mining industry.
[0004] While the issue is important for any open cut operation, the enclosed nature of underground mines make it a serious safety issue as workers are exposed to increased dust levels.
[0005] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0006] The present invention is directed to a real-time monitoring of dust at a mine site and dust suppression system based thereon, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.
[0007] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a real-time dust monitoring system for monitoring of dust at a mine site, the system including at least one dust monitor/sensor installed in an elevated position in an upwind location from an area to be monitored, the at least one dust monitor/sensor having access to at least one communications pathway to transmit information.
[0008] In an alternative aspect the present invention resides in a real time dust monitoring
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2019201437 28 Feb 2019 system and a dust suppression system based thereon, the real time dust monitoring system including at least one dust monitor/sensor installed in an elevated position in an upwind location from an area to be monitored, the at least one dust monitor/sensor having access to at least one communications pathway to transmit information, the dust suppression system including at least one fluid dispenser and access to at least one communications pathway to receive actuation instructions based on information transmitted from the at least one dust monitor/sensor, the dust suppression system positioned between the at least one dust monitor/sensor and the area to be monitored.
[0009] In some embodiments, the dust suppression system may be positioned upwind and/or downwind from the at least one dust monitor/sensor and the area to be monitored.
[0010] In one particularly preferred embodiment, the real-time dust monitoring system and dust suppression system of the present invention is configured for use in an underground coal mine.
[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the real-time dust monitoring system and the dust suppression system may be linked more directly, for example the at least one communications pathway for the transmission of information from the at least one dust monitor/sensor may transmit directly to the dust suppression system to actuate the at least one fluid dispenser or alternatively, the information transmitted by or from the at least one dust monitor/sensor may be transmitted to a control network located remotely from the at least one dust monitor/sensor and actuation instructions may be issued to the dust suppression system via the control network.
[0012] The dust monitoring system of the preferred embodiment includes at least one dust monitor/sensor installed in an elevated position in an upwind location from an area to be monitored. Typically, the at least one dust monitor/sensor will be installed up wind of an area in which workers are present.
[0013] All mines are required to have a plan of the ventilation system of the mind that shows the direction, course and volume of air current and the position of all in doors, stoppings, fans, regulators and ventilating devices in the mine.
[0014] The at least one dust monitor/sensor may be a permanent installation or alternatively, a portable dust monitor/sensor may be provided which can be carried with workers and then installed at least temporarily in an upwind location from an area in which the workers will be operating at any time. This will minimise installation costs and will also maximise the
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2019201437 28 Feb 2019 application of the system as the at least one dust monitor/sensor can be moved with the workers and can be installed and activated when a workgroup moves into a particular area.
[0015] If the installation of the at least one dust monitor/sensor is a permanent installation, then the installation will typically take place in a variety of locations over the working area of the mine. In a permanent installation, the at least one dust monitor/sensor may be operated at all times in a monitoring mode or alternatively, as and when a workgroup enters an area, the workgroup may have the ability to actuate the at least one dust monitor/sensor in that area or alternatively, the at least one dust monitor/sensor may be actuated remotely from a control room for example via a control network. In the preferred configuration, when there is no workgroup in a particular area, the at least one dust monitor/sensor will typically be shut down or put into sleep mode in order to conserve power and minimise the reporting undertaken by the dust monitors/sensors in the mine so that appropriate resources are provided to the at least one dust monitor/sensor in the areas where workgroups are present and that information from the at least one dust monitor/sensor in that area can be prioritised.
[0016] It is preferred that the at least one dust monitor/sensor is provided with access to at least one communications pathway in order to transmit information which is gathered in relation to the levels of dust in a particular area. In particular, the at least one communications pathway may be provided on board the at least one dust monitor/sensor or a separate but associated communications module may be used.
[0017] Typically, multiple dust monitors/sensors will be provided within the system. The dust monitor/sensors may be provided in any configuration and in particular, a combination of fixed dust monitors/sensors may be provided as well as portable dust monitor/sensors.
[0018] Importantly for portable dust monitor/sensors, once the dust monitor/sensor is properly located in an area and actuated, it is preferred that the dust monitor/sensor is then connected to either the control network in/or to a preferred dust suppression system.
[0019] Any one or more communications pathways may be provided and any communication pathway type may be provided. Given the issues that may be faced in the transmission of information wirelessly in an underground mine environment, the communications pathways may be provided through the installation of a number of transmission nodes such that a communications pathway can be established from each dust monitor/sensor to the control network and/or to the dust suppression system. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a number of transmission nodes are installed in order to ensure that wireless
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2019201437 28 Feb 2019 transmission in the underground mine environment is possible and the transmission nodes will typically receive information from the at least one dust monitor/sensor and transmit information to at least one other transmission node to ensure a communications pathway is viable at all times.
[0020] In a permanent installation, the at least one dust monitor/sensor can be hard wired which provides certainty of communications.
[0021] The at least one dust monitor/sensor is preferably used to define a zone of protection up wind of an area in which workers are present. At least one, and typically 2 or more dust monitors or sensors will be installed in an elevated position across a roadway in an underground mine in order to define the start of the dust detection zone. In this way, because the dust monitor/sensor is up wind of the workgroup, the dust monitor/sensor will detect dust as it approaches the workgroup and remedial action to protect the workgroup can then be undertaken whether that is in the form of activation of dust suppression system located between the at least one dust monitor/sensor and the workgroup and/or warning the workgroup that elevated dust levels are approaching and they should vacate the area.
[0022] The at least one dust monitor/sensor of the preferred embodiment may be piggybacked of existing electronics provided in the mine which may be present in the mine for other purposes such as for example gas monitoring.
[0023] Any type of dust sensor/monitor can be used and as mentioned above, it is preferred that the dust sensor/monitor will be associated with a communications module or have on-board communication equipment provided in order to allow transmission of information which is gathered or detected by the at least one dust monitor/sensor.
[0024] At least one dust monitor/sensors will be used and preferably, at least a pair of dust monitors/sensors will be used, typically across the width of the roadway up wind of the position or area to be monitored. Preferably, the dust monitors/sensors will be provided adjacent to the roof and preferably, in the corners between the roof and the walls. If more than 2 dust monitors/sensors are provided, then one or more intermediate dust monitors or sensors can be provided across the width of the roadway.
[0025] The at least one dust monitor/sensor is provided in location which is up wind in terms of ventilation from the area to be monitored in order to detect elevated dust levels before the dust reaches the area and preferably the workgroup located in the area.
[0026] As will be clear from the above, it is preferred that the at least one dust
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2019201437 28 Feb 2019 monitor/sensor are actuable or switchable depending upon the particular direction of the ventilation in the mine. For example, if an array of dust monitor/sensors is provided across a mine, some of the dust monitors/sensors may be activated and others may be deactivated depending upon the particular ventilation flows in an area relative to an area to be monitored. In a mine, the ventilation flows may be switchable and therefore, it is preferred that the at least one dust monitor/sensor is also switchable between an activated and deactivated mode.
[0027] Any type of dust suppression system may be used. There are wide variety of dust suppression systems that can be used and a wide variety of dust suppression materials that can be used. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the dust suppression system will typically include at least one fluid dispenser and preferably, the fluid dispenser will provide atomised fluid particles, typically water (together with additives that may provide enhanced dust suppression functionality) in areas where high dust levels have been detected and/or where dust suppression is needed.
[0028] Typically, any dust suppression system will be provided in elevated position, typically adjacent to the roof of a roadway or similar in an underground mine. Preferably, dust suppression will extend across the width of the roadway and may in some circumstances extend down the sides of the roadway as well. Typically, the separation distance between the at least one dust monitor/sensor and the at least one fluid dispenser of a dust suppression system will be optimised to ensure that the dust being borne by the ventilation does not pass the at least one fluid dispenser of a dust suppression system before it can be activated.
[0029] At least one fluid dispenser will typically be provided in association with at least one conduit connected to a source of fluid. As mentioned above, any type of fluid can be used.
[0030] In addition to the dust suppression system provided between the at least one dust monitor/sensor and the area to be monitored or the workgroup within an area, it is preferred that dust suppression also take place at the source of the dust which may be locatable by modelling based on the information provided from a number of dust monitors/sensors in the mine. For example, if the dust is being generated by traffic movement on dry roads in a particular area and then that disturbed dust is being carried by the ventilation towards a workgroup in a particular area, it is preferred that the at least one dust monitor/sensor up wind of the workgroup in the particular area will detect the elevated levels of dust and actuate dust suppression between the at least one dust monitor/sensor and the workgroup but once activated, the preferred control network will typically be able to trace or track the elevated levels of dust back up wind to the source of the disturbed dust and may preferably actuate dust suppression in the source area as
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2019201437 28 Feb 2019 well.
[0031] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.
[0032] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0033] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:
[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an underground mine showing a preferred ventilation pattern.
[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic view of an underground mine section showing a real-time monitoring of dust at a mine site and dust suppression system based thereon according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0036] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a realtime monitoring system for monitoring dust levels at an underground mine site and dust suppression system based thereon is provided.
[0037] In the preferred embodiment, the real-time dust monitoring system and dust suppression system is configured for use in an underground coal mine such as that illustrated in Figure 1. In Figure 1, the arrows show the ventilation pathways with air being drawn in at the vertical shaft 10, travelling through the mine through the various working areas and exhausted at an outlet 11.
[0038] The real-time dust monitoring system of the preferred embodiment includes a number of dust monitors/sensors 12 installed in an elevated position in an upwind location from an area to be monitored, generally an area in which there are one or more workmen 13. The dust
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2019201437 28 Feb 2019 monitors/sensors 12 have access to a communications pathway to transmit information in relation to dust levels for example to a control network, and/or actuation instructions to a dust suppression installation 15 located between the dust monitors/sensors 12 and the one or more workmen 13 (in the direction of the ventilation air as shown by the arrows) as shown in Figure 2.
[0039] The dust suppression installations include at least one fluid dispenser and access to at least one communications pathway to receive actuation instructions based on information transmitted from at least one of the dust monitors/sensors 12.
[0040] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the real-time dust monitoring system and the dust suppression system may be linked more directly, for example the at least one communications pathway for the transmission of information from at least one of the dust monitors/sensors 12may transmit directly to the dust suppression system to actuate the at least one fluid dispenser or alternatively, the information transmitted by or from at least one of the dust monitors/sensors 12 may be transmitted to a control network located remotely from the dust monitors/sensors 12 and actuation instructions may be issued to the dust suppression system via the control network.
[0041] Typically, dust monitors/sensors 12 are installed upwind of an area in which workers are present.
[0042] All mines are required to have a plan of the ventilation system of the mind that shows the direction, course and volume of air current and the position of all doors, stoppings, fans, regulators and ventilating devices in the mine.
[0043] The dust monitors/sensors 12 may be a permanent installation or alternatively, a portable dust monitor/sensor 12 may be provided which can be carried with workers 13 and then installed at least temporarily in an upwind location from an area in which the workers 13 will be operating at any time. This will minimise installation costs and will also maximise the application of the system as the dust monitors/sensors 12 can be moved with the workers 13 and can be installed and activated when a workgroup moves into a particular area.
[0044] If the installation of the dust monitors/sensors 12 is a permanent installation, then the installation will typically take place in a variety of locations over the working area of the mine. In a permanent installation, the dust monitors/sensors 12 may be operated at all times in a monitoring mode or alternatively, as and when a workgroup enters an area, the workgroup may have the ability to actuate the dust monitors/sensors 12 in that area or alternatively, the dust monitors/sensors 12 may be actuated remotely from a control room for example via the control
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2019201437 28 Feb 2019 network. In the preferred configuration, when there is no workgroup in a particular area, the dust monitors/sensors 12 will typically be shut down or put into sleep mode in order to conserve power and minimise the reporting undertaken by the dust monitors/sensors 12 in the mine so that appropriate resources are provided to the dust monitors/sensors 12 in the areas where workgroups are present and that information from the dust monitors/sensors 12 in that area can be prioritised.
[0045] It is preferred that the dust monitors/sensors 12 be provided access to at least one communications pathway in order to transmit information which is gathered in relation to the levels of dust in a particular area. In particular, access to the at least one communications pathway may be provided on board the dust monitor/sensor or a separate but associated communications module may be used.
[0046] Typically, multiple dust monitors/sensors will be provided within the system as shown in Figure 2. The dust monitor/sensors 12 may be provided in any configuration and in particular, a combination of fixed dust monitors/sensors may be provided as well as portable dust monitor/sensors.
[0047] Importantly for portable dust monitor/sensors, once the dust monitor/sensor is properly located in an area and actuated, it is preferred that the dust monitor/sensor is then connected to either the control network in/or to a preferred dust suppression system.
[0048] Given the issues that may be faced in the transmission of information wirelessly in an underground mine environment, the communications pathways may be provided through the installation of a number of transmission nodes 14 such that a communications pathway can be established from each dust monitor/sensor 12 to the control network and/or to the dust suppression installation 15. In a particularly preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, a number of transmission nodes 14 are installed in order to ensure that wireless transmission in the underground mine environment is possible and the transmission nodes 14 will typically receive information from the dust monitors/sensors 12 and transmit information to at least one other transmission node 14 to ensure a communications pathway is viable at all times.
[0049] In a permanent installation, the dust monitors/sensors 12 can be hard wired which provides certainty of communications.
[0050] The dust monitors/sensors 12 is preferably used to define a zone of protection upwind of an area in which workers 13 are present such as is illustrated in Figure 2. Typically, two or more dust monitors or sensors 12 are installed in an elevated position across a roadway 16
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2019201437 28 Feb 2019 in an underground mine in order to define the start of the dust detection zone. In this way, because the dust monitor/sensor 12 is upwind of the workgroup, the dust monitor/sensor 12 will detect dust as it approaches the workgroup and remedial action to protect the workgroup can then be undertaken whether that is in the form of activation of a dust suppression installation 15 located between the dust monitors/sensors 12 and the workgroup and/or warning the workgroup that elevated dust levels are approaching and they should vacate the area.
[0051] The dust monitors/sensors 12 of the preferred embodiment may be piggybacked of existing electronics provided in the mine which may be present in the mine for other purposes such as for example gas monitoring.
[0052] Any type of dust sensor/monitor can be used and as mentioned above, it is preferred that the dust sensor/monitor will be associated with a communications module or have on-board communication equipment provided in order to allow transmission of information which is gathered or detected by the at least one dust monitor/sensor.
[0053] At least one dust monitor/sensors will be used and preferably, at least a pair of dust monitors/sensors will be used, typically across the width of the roadway 16 upwind of the position or area to be monitored. Preferably, the dust monitors/sensors 12 are provided adjacent to the roof and preferably, in the corners between the roof and the walls. If more than two dust monitors/sensors are provided, then one or more intermediate dust monitors or sensors can be provided across the width of the roadway 16.
[0054] The dust monitors/sensors 12 are provided in location which is upwind (in terms of ventilation direction) from the area to be monitored in order to detect elevated dust levels before the dust reaches the area and preferably the workgroup located in the area.
[0055] As will be clear from the above, it is preferred that the dust monitors/sensors 12 are actuable or switchable depending upon the particular direction of the ventilation in the mine. For example, if an array of dust monitor/sensors is provided across a mine, some of the dust monitors/sensors may be activated and others may be deactivated depending upon the particular ventilation flows in an area relative to an area to be monitored. In a mine, the ventilation flows may be switchable and therefore, it is preferred that the at least one dust monitor/sensor is also switchable between an activated and deactivated mode.
[0056] Any type of dust suppression system or installation may be used. There are wide variety of dust suppression systems that can be used and a wide variety of dust suppression materials that can be used. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the dust suppression system
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2019201437 28 Feb 2019 will typically include at least one fluid dispenser and preferably, the fluid dispenser will provide atomised fluid particles, typically water (together with additives that may provide enhanced dust suppression functionality) in areas where high dust levels have been detected and/or where dust suppression is needed.
[0057] Typically, any dust suppression installation 15 is provided in elevated position, typically adjacent to the roof of a roadway or similar in an underground mine. Preferably, dust suppression will extend across the width of the roadway and may in some circumstances extend down the sidewalls of the roadway 16 as well.
[0058] At least one fluid dispenser will typically be provided in association with at least one conduit connected to a source of fluid. As mentioned above, any type of fluid can be used.
[0059] In addition to the dust suppression system provided between the at least one dust monitor/sensor and the area to be monitored or the workgroup within an area, it is preferred that dust suppression also take place at the source of the dust which may be locatable by modelling based on the information provided from a number of dust monitors/sensors in the mine. For example, if the dust is being generated by traffic movement on dry roads in a particular area and then that disturbed dust is being carried by the ventilation towards a workgroup in a particular area, it is preferred that the at least one dust monitor/sensor up wind of the workgroup in the particular area will detect the elevated levels of dust and actuate dust suppression between the at least one dust monitor/sensor and the workgroup but once activated, the preferred control network will typically be able to trace or track the elevated levels of dust back up wind to the source of the disturbed dust and may preferably actuate dust suppression in the source area as well.
[0060] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.
[0061] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.
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2019201437 28 Feb 2019 [0062] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (21)

1. A real-time dust monitoring system for monitoring of dust at a mine site, the system including at least one dust monitor/sensor installed in an elevated position in an upwind location from an area to be monitored, the at least one dust monitor/sensor having access to at least one communications pathway to transmit information.
2. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the area to be monitored is defined as downwind from the at least one dust monitor/sensor.
3. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the at least one dust monitor/sensor includes a permanent installation in an elevated position in an upwind location from the area to be monitored.
4. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in claim 3 wherein an array of dust monitors/sensors is installed in a variety of locations about an installation and the dust monitors/sensors are operated at all times in a monitoring mode.
5. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in claim 3 wherein an array of dust monitors/sensors is installed in a variety of locations about an installation as and when a workgroup enters an area of work, the workgroup has the ability to actuate the at least one dust monitor/sensor in that area.
6. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in claim 3 wherein an array of dust monitors/sensors is installed in a variety of locations about an installation as and when a workgroup enters an area of work, the at least one dust monitor/sensor in the area of work is actuated remotely from a control room via a control network.
7. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein when there is no workgroup in a particular area, the at least one dust monitor/sensor is shut down or put into sleep mode in order to conserve power and minimise the reporting undertaken by the dust monitors/sensors so that appropriate resources are provided to the at least one dust monitor/sensor in the areas where workgroups are present and that information from the at least one dust monitor/sensor in that area is prioritised.
8. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one dust monitor/sensor includes at least one portable dust monitor/sensor to be carried with one or more workers and then installed at least temporarily in an upwind location from
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2019201437 28 Feb 2019 an area in which the one or more workers are to operate at any time.
9. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one dust monitor/sensor is provided with access to at least one communications pathway in order to transmit information which is gathered in relation to level of dust in the area to be monitored to a control network.
10. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the at least one communications pathway is provided on board the at least one dust monitor/sensor.
11. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the at least one communications pathway is provided via a separate communications module associated with each at least one dust monitor/sensor.
12. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein at least one wireless communications pathways is provided including a number of transmission nodes such that a communications pathway is established from each at least one dust monitor/sensor to the control network and/or to a dust suppression system.
13. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one dust monitor/sensor is used to define a dust detection zone upwind of an area in which workers are present.
14. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in claim 13 wherein two or more dust monitors/sensors are installed in an elevated position across a roadway in an underground mine in order to define the dust detection zone.
15. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the dust monitors/sensors are piggybacked off existing electronics provided in the mine.
16. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one dust monitor/sensor is provided adjacent to a roof and preferably, in one or more corners between the roof and one or more walls.
17. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one dust monitor/sensor is upwind in terms of ventilation from the area to be monitored in order to detect elevated dust levels before the dust reaches the area to be monitored.
18. A real-time dust monitoring system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a dust
1350487 1
2019201437 28 Feb 2019 suppression system wherein the respective systems are linked for the transmission of information from the at least one dust monitor/sensor to the dust suppression system to actuate a at least one fluid dispenser.
19. A real-time dust monitoring system and dust suppression system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the information transmitted by or from the at least one dust monitor/sensor is transmitted to a control network located remotely from the at least one dust monitor/sensor and actuation instructions are issued to the dust suppression system via the control network.
20. A real time dust monitoring system and a dust suppression system based thereon, the real time dust monitoring system including at least one dust monitor/sensor installed in an elevated position in an upwind location from an area to be monitored, the at least one dust monitor/sensor having access to at least one communications pathway to transmit information, the dust suppression system including at least one fluid dispenser and access to at least one communications pathway to receive actuation instructions based on information transmitted from the at least one dust monitor/sensor, the dust suppression system positioned between the at least one dust monitor/sensor and the area to be monitored.
21. A real-time dust monitoring system and dust suppression system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the dust suppression system includes at least one fluid dispenser to provide atomised fluid particles in areas where high dust levels have been detected and/or where dust suppression is needed.
AU2019201437A 2018-03-02 2019-02-28 Real time monitoring of dust at a minesite and dust suppression system based thereon Pending AU2019201437A1 (en)

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020234825A1 (en) * 2019-05-21 2020-11-26 Synergetics Pty Ltd Ventilation and particulate matter removal system

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020234825A1 (en) * 2019-05-21 2020-11-26 Synergetics Pty Ltd Ventilation and particulate matter removal system

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