Tunnel Radio of America is pleased to announce the recent US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Intrinsic Safe approval of our latest technology, the TR-MX-332 Methane and CO detection wireless reader for coal mine use.
Designed for use with our MineAx® Bird Dog RFID personnel tracking system, this new micro-technology now makes it feasible to wirelessly deploy a multitude of Methane and CO (carbon dioxide) sensors anywhere needed in a coal mine environment. For the first time, this critical gas level information can be transmitted wirelessly to the surface from the primary methane sources deep in a mine - the working section faces and long-wall mining zones.
Complementing our proven long-range wireless readers, these sensors may operate for months on battery power to provide electronic tracking of personnel location and gas levels simultaneously to surface computers.
As coal mines under the Miner Act of 2006 are required to deploy electronic tracking technologies in the United States, the widely used Tunnel Radio MineAx tracking system can additionally provide very precise methane and hydrocarbon group gas measurement 24/7 in the mines using this new digital technology. Wireless sensors can be located exactly where needed, a shortcoming of current wired technologies that also must be disabled once an emergency occurs.
In addition, the same device is equipped with a CO (carbon monoxide) sensor – (a precursor gas emitted from very low level combustion sources), to alert mine crews immediately of unsafe thermal conditions, giving time to react before a fire breaks out. The unit also transmits temperature, humidity and barometric pressure readings, providing atmospheric data helpful in evaluating overall mine ventilation system effectiveness, a critical factor in recent mine disasters.
With this equipment deployed, mine personnel now have the tools to prevent deadly methane detonation accidents as never before, prevalent for decades in the industry. Critical information can now be analyzed from the comfort of the office, home or head quarters by simply accessing the mine central computer through the internet, including the use of most mobile devices. The MineAx Bird Dog tracking system is already deployed in over 50 mines in three countries.
We feel this technology is a win for miner safety, the industry and is a credit to American know how. Tunnel Radio of America is based near Corvallis, Oregon, and has provided technologies and services to the mining and railroad industries for over 20 years. We have an office in Lexington, KY and dealers in several states including outlets in Canada and Australia.
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