Wireless Optical Fiber Sensor Network (WOFSNet) for Methane

Details

• Personal Author:
  Mechery SJ ; Singh M
• Description:
  In recent years, accidental explosions in coal mines have become a major cause of fatality among coal mine workers worldwide. Explosions in underground mines and at the surface processing facilities are mainly caused by accumulations of flammable gases such as methane (CH4) and/or combustible dust in the presence of an ignition source. In United States, the number of fatal occupational injuries are highest in mining industry compared to agriculture and construction jobs (eg. 23.5 per 100,000 workers). Apart from coal mines, methane gas is one of the main constituents of natural gas so its detection is a subject of major importance. Energy consumption is another major source of methane emission. Worldwide, energy consumption is projected to rise 60% over the next 20 years, and use of oil is projected to increase by approximately 40%. Studies have shown that the combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas has increased carbon emissions globally from 1.6 billion tons in 1950 to 6.3 billion tons in 2000. Accurate sensing of CH4 at trace levels promises potential benefits to many fronts and various safety monitoring applications. The Phase I project goal has been to develop a wireless sensor for the trace detection of methane gas using Waddan Systems' nanoporous active medium technology. In this project, Waddan Systems' approach for developing a nanoporous active medium gas absorption cell enables enhanced sensitivity, employs larger surface area of the sensing medium and direct absorption of light confined through the porous glass medium. Waddan Systems' unique signal processing approach not only eliminates the noise elements from the sensor, but also enhances the signal detection levels. In Phase I, a wavelength modulated sensor using a Laser Diode emitting at 1650 nm was assembled. The modulated light was introduced into a specially designed active fiber form directly via a lens. The motivation for this project is to develop a low-cost, wireless, highly miniaturized methane sensor pack (MSP) utilizing Waddan Systems' expertise in integrated optic chip (IOC) and micromolding technologies. The ultimate goal is to develop miniature sensors that can be distributed throughout mine at strategic locations including Miner's clothes, helmet, and operating mining machines. In addition to receiving the methane level information locally, a miner can also receive a video mapping of methane distribution throughout the mine. The MSP devices can be remotely programmed for reconfiguration of the network, e.g. making some of them behave as relay node. The MSP is being designed with a goal to operate maintenance free for several years; and will have the capability for the long-term measurement of methane (CH4) gas at sub parts-per-million (ppm) levels. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Methane Mining Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Coal Mines Equipment Design Explosion Prevention Explosive Gases Methanes Mine Gases Mining Industry Sensors Trace Substances Wearable Technologies
• Series:
  Grant Final Reports
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Final Grant Report
• Place as Subject:
  California ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OEP - Office of Extramural Programs
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-53
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20059927
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB2021-100166
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, R43-OH-010010, 2012 May; :1-53
• Contact Point Address:
  Shelly John Mechery, Waddan Systems, 8801 Encino Avenue, Northridge, CA 91325
• Email:
  sjmechery@waddansystems.com
• CAS Registry Number:
  Methane (CAS RN 74-82-8)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2012
• NORA Priority Area:
  Mining
• Performing Organization:
  Waddan Systems, Northridge, California
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20110901
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• End Date:
  20120229
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a44b9f91fa59a513971ebef74cbcc7390c80192c8f53892d48b0d29b51ed78f9727e4d44e5fbb204687df524b4bd3d35686ec1bfb114755db5f2cdd1bdfb217a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/218988/cdc_218988_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.48 MB ]