Safety In Mines World First Revealed - Mobile Underground Mine Gas Lab Launched
Safety in Mines World First Revealed - Mobile Underground Mine Gas Lab Launched
Queensland has unveiled the world's first mobile mine gas laboratory for mine emergencies.
Stirling Hinchliffe, the state's mines minister, said the automated mobile laboratory was developed by the Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station (SIMTARS), which also created new blasting guidelines last year.
"Mine disasters such as the Pike River incident in New Zealand show how the presence of dangerous mine gases can hinder rescue or recovery efforts after an underground mine collapse or explosion," Hinchliffe said.
"Ultra fast mine gas sampling and analysis can vastly improve decision-making and save lives during a mine emergency.
"It's important to have the capability to replace a mine's own gas monitoring system if it is damaged, destroyed or inadequate in an emergency.
According to the minister, the $600 000 mobile mine gas station can provide gas monitoring in a few hours, rather than a fortnight like Pike River.
"This piece of equipment is designed to save lives."
The mobile lab is fully automated and can operate in remote areas for extended periods.
It can be remotely accessed via the internet, allowing for operation by off site personnel.
The lab comes with a 20 point tube bundle gas monitoring system and ultrafast gas chromatograph, which allows it to carry out continuous automated analysis of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and oxygen levels at 20 different sites around a single mine.
"The ultrafast gas chromatograph also extends the real time analysis capability to include hydrogen, nitrogen, ethylene, ethane and acetylene," Hinchliffe added.
"This will provide critical information about gas concentrations, ratios and flammability needed for informed decisions about when it is safe to re-enter the mine.
"This new generation model significantly improves our emergency response capabilities and is the only one in the world with a fully automated gas monitoring system that can replace a mine's full system," he stated.
The mobile lab will be station at the Dysart Mines Rescue Station to give it closer access to the Bowen Basin's underground coal mines.
Queensland has unveiled the world's first mobile mine gas laboratory for mine emergencies.
Stirling Hinchliffe, the state's mines minister, said the automated mobile laboratory was developed by the Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station (SIMTARS), which also created new blasting guidelines last year.
"Mine disasters such as the Pike River incident in New Zealand show how the presence of dangerous mine gases can hinder rescue or recovery efforts after an underground mine collapse or explosion," Hinchliffe said.
"Ultra fast mine gas sampling and analysis can vastly improve decision-making and save lives during a mine emergency.
"It's important to have the capability to replace a mine's own gas monitoring system if it is damaged, destroyed or inadequate in an emergency.
According to the minister, the $600 000 mobile mine gas station can provide gas monitoring in a few hours, rather than a fortnight like Pike River.
"This piece of equipment is designed to save lives."
The mobile lab is fully automated and can operate in remote areas for extended periods.
It can be remotely accessed via the internet, allowing for operation by off site personnel.
The lab comes with a 20 point tube bundle gas monitoring system and ultrafast gas chromatograph, which allows it to carry out continuous automated analysis of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and oxygen levels at 20 different sites around a single mine.
"The ultrafast gas chromatograph also extends the real time analysis capability to include hydrogen, nitrogen, ethylene, ethane and acetylene," Hinchliffe added.
"This will provide critical information about gas concentrations, ratios and flammability needed for informed decisions about when it is safe to re-enter the mine.
"This new generation model significantly improves our emergency response capabilities and is the only one in the world with a fully automated gas monitoring system that can replace a mine's full system," he stated.
The mobile lab will be station at the Dysart Mines Rescue Station to give it closer access to the Bowen Basin's underground coal mines.
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